How to Get Rid of Termites Naturally– Give them half a chance and termites will do a lot of damage. A termite infestation is the last thing you want in your home. This article will show you how to get rid of termites, naturally.
Termites feed on cellulose and every home has one form of it or another. Hence, no home is immune.
Before we go into the details of how to get rid of termites, lets us tell you a bit about them.
What Are Termites?
These pesky colony of insects will infiltrate your home and garden so stealthily you will only notice from the damage they wreak. They will destroy wood, plants, and even paper.
There are 5 types of termites and any or even more than one type of these can infest your home regardless of where you are.
These insects don’t care what season it is, any of the following types can invade and destroy at any time. This is why it is necessary to be prepared.
- Formosan termite
- Drywood termite
- Subterranean termite
- Conehead termite
- Dampwood termite
Subterranean termites are the ones that build mounds outdoors. This type often creates extensive underground tunnels to penetrate homes.
The Drywood ones are the type that attacks woods and are the most common.
Signs of Termite Infestation
One of the common ways to detect an infestation is when you see the winged variants by your doors and windows.
Those ones are trying to escape. So, you can suspect there’s more where those came from.
This discovery often happens at the beginning of spring.
However, you don’t have to wait until then. There are some signs you can look out for to know if it is time to get rid of termites.
Your Wood Furniture Sounds Hollow
Termites are smart, you can tell from their work ethics.
These insects will devour the cellulose of your furniture from the inside leaving the exterior untouched.
You can find out by occasionally tapping your wooden furniture.
If it sounds hollow from vibrations, those tiny beasts have been having a feast.
You see Mud Tubes Outside your Home
Termites often build passage tunnels along walls, wooden beams, and crawl spaces.
If you notice these outside your home, it’s a sign that termites might have burrowed their way in.
Bubbled Paint Jobs
Since termites start eating cellulose from the inside, as they get closer to the surface, the coating on the material will start to appear bubbly.
If you find frass, termite waste, within the bubble, that’s a definite sign.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Rid of Termites?
It only makes sense that the size of the termite colony you need to get rid of will indicate how much it will cost.
You will want to consider a monthly subscription if you look to hire professionals to handle the termites.
If the infestation is heavy, there might have to be weekly visits from the pest infestation professionals.
You can estimate around $40 a month for a professional to handle the infestation.
If you want to do it yourself using chemicals, you will be looking at a range of $20 to $60 for treatments.
On another hand, if you want to go DIY, you might spend a bit if you don’t have the ingredients at home.
However, it won’t cost any close to the alternative approaches. Keep reading to see some of the DIY ways to get rid of termites.
How To Get Rid of Termites in The House
Before you attempt to get rid of termites, it is important that you remove things that can encourage an infestation.
If you don’t do this, you will get rid of termites only for them to return.
You should remove stumps around the house. Get rid of wood, lumber, paper debris, etc.
Plant-based wastes too should not be kept close to the house.
Be sure your home is properly sealed by covering all entry points.
Once all these have been done, you are ready for the clampdown to get rid of termites.
There are different approaches used to get rid of termites.
You can use chemicals, non-chemicals, and even DIY solutions.
As for this article, we will be recommending only natural solutions.
Earth is the only home we have. So, we should be responsible for protecting it.
1. Vinegar to Get Rid of Termites
This utility material is useful in so many ways.
You probably already use it to clean your shower or kitchen.
Here is one more way vinegar will be useful.
Directions
- You just need to mix some vinegar with the juice of two lemons.
- Put it in a spray bottle and apply into areas you suspect the termites are.
- That’s how to use vinegar to get rid of chemicals.
- The acidic content of the mixture will get rid of termites.
- After a day or two, you can spray the areas again to kill off any ones that escaped the first application.
2. Orange Oil to Get Rid of Termites
This oil is derived from orange peels. It contains di-limonene and quite dangerous to termites.
The oil melts the insect’s exoskeleton causing its protein and fluids to evaporate, essentially killing them.
You can get this oil at home improvements store or even online.
All you need to do is to spray it on termites or onto areas you believe they dwell.
This oil does not only get rid of termites, but it can also prevent them.
So, occasional spraying of this oil around entry points will be a good idea to prevent them from coming back.
3. Borates to Kill Termites
You probably have heard of Borax powder before or seen Sodium Borate being used for laundry.
Whether you have or not, boric acid good for termites is a good option.
Directions
- You can sprinkle the powder onto areas they have infested or mix it with water and put in a spray bottle.
- Spray on areas you have seen the pesky termites.
4. Sunlight
A good dose of sunshine can kill termites which is why they thrive indoors.
If you suspect that a piece has been infested, you could just take it into the yard and let it bake for a bit.
The heat will force the termites to come out and then die under the sun. Project get rid of termites is a success!
This is one good way to get rid of termites drywood termites in furniture.
5. Wet Cardboard
Termites can be smart but humans are smarter.
Get a cardboard box from your basement and get it wet.
Termites love their cellulose and some moisture.
This wet cardboard will be a bait to lure out termites from their hiding place.
The annoying insects will just see it as a gift from their ancestors and call the rest of the colony to come party.
Give it a bit of time and let them settle in. Then gently lift the cardboard and take it outside.
Torch it and let them continue feasting in the blaze. Whenever you need to get rid of termites again, just repeat the trick.
6. Nematodes for Termites
Some parasitic nematodes are known to feed on small insects such as termites.
There is no other way more natural to get rid of termites than to set up a food chain.
You can buy these nematodes that eat termites online and place them close to where the termites are and let nature do the rest.
These predators will feast on the termites and soon enough, it is going to be problem solved.
7. Salt for Termites
We were serious when we said our methods to get rid of termites are not expensive.
You probably already have salt in your pantry anyway.
Mix equal amounts of salt and water in a jar. The water has to be very salty for it to really work.
Fill a syringe with the mixture then flood areas you think the termites reside. The salty mixture will dehydrate them.
8. Aloe vera for Termites
Are you surprised? You’re not alone. This organic utility plant is popularly known for its skin and hair care properties.
However, it is quite effective against termites.
You just need to extract the aloe vera gel from its leaves and apply to the infested area.
You will soon notice a severe reduction in the termites.
9. Clove Oil to Get Rid Termites
Clove is useful for preparing meals because of its nice smell and flavor.
Pure essential oil of clove can also be used to get rid of termites.
It is a good way to get rid of termites in the wall.
Directions
- Mix a few drops of Clove oil with water and put into a spray bottle.
- Spray a good number of squirts onto the affected areas and the termites in there will die off.
- You can use this as a preventive measure as well.
Final Words
You asked for it and now you have it, ways to get rid of termites without chemicals.
All 9 ways work very well to get rid of termites. However, some might work better depending on the type of termites you are dealing with.
Feel free to try a combination of them for optimal results.
Don’t forget to let us know how these remedies worked for you.
