Of all the pests that have ever plagued mankind, termite damage costs us the most. Termites will literally eat through everything and anything wood. They have no regard for anyone’s home and possessions. But there’s nothing more heartbreaking than finding termites in someone’s favorite ping pong table.
Spotting a termite infestation in a ping pong table is a tricky business. The sneaky pests can crawl into ping pong tables from any tiny little hole or cut they might find. Once inside they form deep and dark burrows slowly eating away until only a hollow shadow of the original ping pong table is left behind.
By the time a termite infestation has crept in a ping pong table, the damage is already done. For ping pong table owners the best option is to avoid a termite infestation before it even occurs. Even if the assault has already started it might not be too late to contain the damage.
A colony of dry wood termites can eat more than 10oz equal to 280 gm of wood within a day. For instance, a ping pong table weighing 100 kg can be completely consumed by termites within just 1 year.
How to look for termites in a ping pong table?
A termite infestation leaves behind a few tell-tale signs. It’s better to keep a lookout for the following signs:
Wet Spots
If a colony is developing inside your ping pong table then wet spots might be forming on it. These wet spots look like the surface is wet or some water spilled on your table. However, the moisture is a sign of a termite infestation.
Cracks
Usually, cracks go unnoticed because they are believed to be caused by old age. But it is possible a ping pong table sporting cracks may be infested with termites and the cracks are actually termite galleries. Always check the cracks for the presence of termites.
Mud tube
A byproduct of a termite colony is a mud tube or termite trail. It is a tunnel-like structure made up of mud. Termites form this structure to allow them to move safely inside. If such a brownish mud-made line appears on your furniture then check it to see if termites are living inside of it.
Termite Holes
The appearance of tiny holes is another sign of termite arrival. Sometimes termites may eat through your ping pong table to create an opening for them in the form of small circles. The small holes also provide the termite with proper ventilation. Check these holes with the help of a torch to see if any pests are not crawling inside.
Wing Piles
Termites shed their wings periodically to find new places to build a nest. A swarm of termites is followed by discarded opaque wings. If a pile of wings is lying around your ping pong table then it has been infested by termites.
How to prevent a termite attack?
When it comes to termite infestation it is better to be safe than sorry. Preventing termite damage on a ping pong table will always be a better option. A few simple ways to avoid a swarm of termites from reaching your ping pong table are:
Avoid moisture
Make sure the ping pong table is kept away from wetness and moisture at all costs. Especially people living in coastal areas need to be extra careful. Moisture issues such as leaking pipes, poor drainage, and improper ventilation are all responsible for attracting termites. Although dry wood termites target moist water-damaged areas, subterranean termites thrive in humidity. Subterranean termite infestations are usually found in areas like basements that are closer to the soil. The moisture does not allow the termite’s body to dry out. Likewise when the wood is wet from spillage or moisture in the air, then termites can digest it more easily. If a ping pong table is in the basement then it has a greater chance of being infested.
Expose to sunlight
Keep the ping pong table in a place where it is directly exposed to sunlight. Since heat is fatal to termites, daily exposure will not give termites the right environment to reproduce. Termites love isolated damp and dark places so they can reproduce therein without any disturbance. This is why the tiny pesters will crawl their way into any gap crack or hole made out of wood to eat and breed. Termites are attracted to white light especially if it is nighttime. But surprisingly these pests don’t prefer yellow light due to its similarity with sunlight. To replace all the white light bulbs in the room where the ping pong table is with yellow insect repellent ones.
Regular Polishing
Polishing is a great way to help protect ping pong tables from any possible termite attacks. Regularly polish the ping pong table and inspect all cracks and corners for any holes or other signs of an infestation. Wood polishing gels or even applying Aloe Vera on the ping pong table can act as a protective layer against a termite invasion. The gel creates a barrier between termites and the wooden surface. The pests refuse to eat through the protective layer or are unable to do so. Some termite control gels come loaded with pesticides. The gel also closes or fills any tiny holes or cracks the termites may use to infest inside the ping pong table.
Spray Insecticides
Frequently spray all corners of the ping pong table with an insecticide. To avoid inhaling harmful fumes instead use a natural insecticide such as orange oil or neem oil. However, if the infestation is getting out of control, I recommend using a non-repellent termiticide like Termidor. Spray the table with these insecticides every other week for maximum protection.
If a termite colony has already started in a ping pong table the best option is to spray it with a natural insecticide. If the infestation still spreads then calling a pest control professional is the best option.
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