cabinet refinishing

How to Prevent Termites from Infesting Cabinets in the Kitchen?

Last Updated: September 16, 2022By Tags: ,

Termites are as tiny as a grain of rice, but the havoc and damage they cause are severe. They are also known as stealthy beasts and are a great threat to you and your house. The most worrying thing is that the threat they pose is often not identified until they have done their work and wreaked a lot of damage to your property. They are pesky and invasive and leave severe damage in their wake. It can cost you a lot of money to get repairs for those damages; hence you should always keep an eye out for these tiny pesky beings. Everyone knows that termites love wood which is why they mostly attack the kitchen cabinet refinishing and room cupboards. Here is how you can prevent termites from infesting your kitchen cabinets. Let’s have a look. 

Spray the Kitchen Cabinets with Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera spray is preferred by many professional companies that provide the services of cabinet refinishing in San Leandro to make a protective barrier against termites. Fortunately, you can make this spray at your home. Get pure aloe vera gel and mix it in water. Shake it well to make a perfect solution and add it to a spray bottle. Till the time aloe vera gets absorbed by your wooden cabinets, keep on spraying it on them. Aloe vera naturally has aloin that prevents termites from feeding on your wooden cabinets. However, you must use aloe vera only with water as some other chemicals can attract termites. 

Low Temperature and Sunlight  

If your kitchen doesn’t get enough sunlight, termites can easily make their way to the cabinets. Direct sunlight is another natural remedy to prevent the infestation of termites. Therefore, you must keep your windows open during the daytime. Furthermore, the design of the kitchen should be made keeping in mind that the cabinets should get enough sunlight. Dry kitchen cabinets are less appealing to termites. Therefore, ventilate your kitchens well. While cleaning the cabinets, make sure that they are cleaned with a dry cloth to remove dust only. Cold temperatures can also prevent termites from getting into your cabinets. If you want to lower the temperature of your kitchens naturally, use liquified nitrogen. 

Termite-Resistant polish

Wood polish gives the wood an extra protective layer against dust and grime. Not that just, you can have termite-resistant polishes that will keep termites away and keep your cabinets in amazing shape. You can buy products that are labeled as termite resistant. After you finish polishing the wood, remove the excess polish from the wood using a clean cloth. To avoid unnecessary circumstances, it is also advised to use the polish first on the areas that are not visible. 

Sprinkle Borax

Another natural insecticide that is commonly available at home is Borax. Also known as boric acid, borax kills termites by destroying their nervous systems. Whether you have termites already in the cabinets or just want some precautionary measures, you can sprinkle borax outside the cabinets to keep termites at bay. However, you must be careful handling borax as it can be poisonous if inhaled. When working with boric acid, you must wear a mask and gloves. Call a cabinet refinishing service near you if you don’t know how to handle borax. 

Diatomaceous Earth Cover

If you want a chemical-free solution for termite infestation, Diatomaceous Earth is your answer. It is a sedimentary rock that is found in an abundant quantity. It consists of microscopically sharp fragments that can cut through the exoskeleton of termites. To create a barrier against termites, apply it around your kitchen cabinets. However, if your eyes are sensitive, use a dust mask and safety glasses when spraying DE. 

Essential Oils

In addition to these methods, many essential oils have proven to be effective in repelling or killing termites upon their contact. Some of these oils which you can try in your kitchens are:

  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Garlic Oil
  • Cinnamon Oil
  • Orange Oil

Although, you must remember to renew these oils periodically because they will evaporate with time. If you mix these oils with boric acid, the evaporation problem can be reduced a bit, and a perfect termite-killing solution will be formed.  

Sprinkle Salt Inside the Cabinets

Another natural way adopted by companies offering services of cabinet refinishing in San Leandro is the use of salt. Fill a jar with an equal amount of water and salt. Use a small syringe to apply the salty water to the wooden areas you think can be affected by termites. If termites come, they will be killed due to excessive dehydration. 

Follow the tips shared above if you are dealing with a termite infestation or want to prevent one. You must keep an eye out all the time for these creatures and identity their presence so you can take necessary measures to get rid of them and prevent a full fledge infestation.