how to get rid of termites

How to Get Rid of Termites? Natural, Herbal, and Chemical Treatment

ByBugControl Staff

Classified at the taxonomic rank of infraorder Isoptera, or as epifamily Termitoidae, termites are eusocial insects. The recent phylogenetic studies indicate that they are evolved from cockroaches as the sister group of wood-eating cockroaches of the genus Cryptocercus.

The divergence took place during the Jurassic or Triassic period. Their first fossil records were found in the Early Cretaceous. There are around 3106 described and a few hundred yet to describe species of termites.

Termites divide into ‘workers’ and ‘soldiers’ like ants, bees, and some wasps from the separate order Hymenoptera. All colonies have fertile males called ‘kings’ and one more fertile female called ‘queens.’ Termites feed on dead plant material and cellulose in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung. Termites are major detritivores in the subtropical and tropical regions, and their cycling of wood and plant matter is of considerable ecological importance.

Termites are a delicacy in the diet of some human cultures and are used in many traditional medicines. Several hundred species are economically significant as pests that can cause serious damage to buildings, crops, or plantation forests. Some species like West Indian Drywood Termite are regarded as invasive species.

There are three main types of termites with 45 different kinds of species of termites.

Subterranean

They belong to the family Rhinotermitidae. This species lives in the soil and builds the largest nests of any insect. These nests are connected to food sources via mud tubes. Subterranean termites are the major destroyer among the three species.

  • Arid-Land Subterranean – West Coast, Southwest, Rocky Mountain States, Midwest, and South.
  • Desert Subterranean – Southeastern California and Southern Arizona
  • Formosan – South-Alabama, Florida, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee.
  • Eastern Subterranean – East Coast, Southeast, Midwest, and the parts of New Zealand.
  • Dark Southeastern Subterranean – East Coast – New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
  • Western Subterranean – Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Nevada.

Drywood

Drywood termites belong to the family Kalotermitidae and live in dead trees, structural timbers, or hardwood floors. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not need soil contact. Some species can cause heavy damage to homes.

  • Western Drywood – Southwest: Arizona and California
  • Southeastern Drywood – South California, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas
  • Desert Drywood – Arizona and Southeastern California.

Dampwood

They belong to the family Kalotermitidae and Hodotermitidae and live in wood with high moisture content. They do not need contact with soil. They are rarely found in homes or man-made structures.

  • Desert Dampwood – Southwest – Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.
  • Florida Dampwood – South Florida, Florida Keys
  • Nevada Dampwood – Nevada, Idaho, and Montana
  • Pacific Dampwood – California, Oregon, and Washington.

Other types of termites

  • Conehead Termites – Florida and Caribbean
  • Desert Termites – West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Each species have different biology and behavior that impact what part of the country they live in, where they build their nests, and their likelihood to damage homes.

2.      How to Get Rid of Indoor Termites?

While we all know the impact of damage that can be done by the termites, we also need to know what things we can adapt to keep the termites away from our house. The damages caused by the termites are mostly property damages and you lose real big money to re-install it. Termites must always be kept away from our house to avoid infestation.

Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Indoor Termites  

While we can do this in the natural and inorganic way, we would be trying to go for natural home remedies for little infestation.

Here are a few natural treatments you can try for termite control –

  • Vinegar – Vinegar is a wonderful liquid in your home as you can use it to clean the kitchen, avoid pests, as well as kill insects.

    Mix half cup vinegar with juice from 2 lemons. Put it in a spray bottle and spray it at the place of termite activity. The termites get killed on contact with this acidic liquid.
  • Sunlight – Termites die if they get exposed to the bright sunlight and heat. If you have termites in movable wood in the house, just keep it under bright sunlight to eliminate the termites.

    The structures which can’t be moved can be treated with ultra-violet lamps to get the eradication effect.
  • Perimeter barrier – Perimeter barrier built with appropriate material will prevent the subterranean termites from tunneling their way into your home.
  • Orange oil – D-limonene, deadly for the termites, is an ingredient of orange oil. Orange oil derived from orange peels causes the exoskeletons of termites to dissolve, which makes them lose moisture and proteins and die.

    You can spray the oil on areas of activity or directly on the termites. Spray it regularly to deter termites to enter your area.
  • Nematodes – These parasitic worms like termites as their food. You can release them in the suspected area of termite activity.

    Nematodes will reproduce and continue to seek out termites till the point of elimination. They are very efficient in getting rid of termites if you use them wisely.
  • Borax – Sodium borate or borax is the common insecticide used for prevention. You can sprinkle the powder along the area or mix it with water and spray the chemical around the affected area.

    For more effectiveness, use it periodically to reach out to the root of colonies.
  • Wet cardboard – Use this as luring bait to termites as they like both water and cellulose. When the termites come out and settle on this bait, simply take the piece out of the house and burn it to kill termites.
  • Diatomaceous earth – This wonder powder can practically kill all insects from carpenter ants to termites. The powder will cause the dehydration to the termites’ shell drying out and eventually, they will die of it.

    Pour some powder along the area of infestation and the result will come out in few days only.
  • Neem oil – With its odd smell, neem oil turns out to be an effective deterrent of termites. The neem oil is a natural growth regulator – it will not allow the termites to molt and the growth into new phases is stopped. It will turn out to be a short-lived infestation.
  • Beauveria Bassiana – Beauveria Bassiana is a type of soil fungus that keeps certain insects away.

    Apply this soil fungus to the areas of termites activity. When the termites come in contact with it, they become hosts for the fungus which feed on their body and slowly kill them in the process.
  • Clove oil – Clove oil is a natural termite killer that you can make with two things – 6 drops of clove oil and 1 cup of water.

    Transfer this solution to a spray bottle and mix thoroughly. Once you spray this mixture on the affected area, you can get rid of termites.
  • Garlic oil – Garlic oil also is an easy and natural termite spray that can kill termites. You need to use 8 drops of garlic oil, 2 drops of neem oil, and 1 cup of water to prepare an effective solution.

    Spraying it regularly around the affected area will give you the desired results.
  • Soapy water – Soapy water is a natural remedy used for a long time now. The contents of soap coat the termites and make them suffocate and kill them in the process. It is no secret that soap is an effective insect killer.

    To make an effective solution, mix 6 tablespoons of liquid dish soap with 8 cups of water.
  • Canola oil trap – Canola oil helps to kill the termites away effectively. Spread a coat of canola oil over the affected surface and you can see the amazing results of it. Canola oil will coat the termite body and make them difficult to breathe.

    This will lead them to die of suffocation.
  • Preventive measures – Preventing the termites is the best way rather than getting rid of them.

    Keep wood, cardboard, and cellulose away from your house. Wood can’t be eliminated but ensure to have termite proof coating on it. Keep out moisture, have proper ventilation, and keep the drainages clean.

How to Get Rid of Termites with Pets in House?

Protecting your pets while planning the termite treatment is very important. If you are temporarily moving away, then, it is easier to take pets along with you. However, if you are not moving away, then there are some things you need to remember.

In such a scenario, the usage of chemicals will take place and pets are mostly on the same level as the termites i.e. very near to the floor or desk. They might get the direct impact of chemicals on them quicker than humans.

When the chemical is sprayed to prevent termites, it would be done both indoor and outdoor, so, the best thing is not to let your pet spend time where the treatment has been done. You must place them away from that area of the house and the yard to prevent them from eating or licking in those areas.

Chemical Treatment to Get Rid of Indoor Termites

While you try to control the termites in your house, it is possible that they have spread to other rooms too and you have a heavy infestation when you discover that your cupboard is damaged. This is not going to be controlled with natural remedies and you might have to adapt the chemical treatment.

The best way to deal with chemical treatment is to let the professionals do this job. You can assist them for sure but if you do not have knowledge about which chemicals to be used, let them do their work.   

  • Liquid Termite Barrier – Taurus SC Generic Termidor is a very effective chemical with multiple effects. It is a multiplier which means a single termite that comes in contact with this can spread it among the entire colony.

    Since it is a slow-acting terminator, it gives a lot of time to spread it to other termites.

  • Poisoned Bait – Termite Detection and Killing Stakes is the best termite baiting and detecting system. These baits can be easily installed in the ground. The poisoned bait will also be brought back to the termite colony, allowing the poison to spread.
  • Direct Chemical Treatment – Termidor Foam is dry foam and it expands to up to 30 times its volume. With the nozzle, you can shoot the foam into the hard to reach crevices and voids where termites might hide.

How to Get Rid of Outdoor Termites?

If you are on the porch and observe that the main door of the house has some wear and tear, then please inspect the door properly as it may have a termite infestation in the primary stage. Also, you must look around your windows and outer area carefully to identify further damage. There may be something else but if it is termites, then you must start taking corrective measures immediately as they might lead to heavy property damage.

Underestimating the initial damage is not advisable and you must seek the help of experts to find out which are the other places of infestation. You can also do some preventive methods with the help of some sort of guide or something till the professional help reaches you.  

Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Outdoor Termites  

You might be thinking that you are lucky to have only outdoor termite infestation but remember that it can spread quickly and move inside your house. As far as the outdoor infestation is concerned, you could take care of preventing it to spread by taking the appropriate steps on time.

These can include natural remedies as well as help from professionals. The outdoor infestation may be misguiding as you might miss some areas on inspection.

However, you can take the following precautions and apply methods to prevent the termites –

  • Repair the roof – Broken roof tiles allow the moisture and give the right atmosphere for termites to start their activity along with setting up their nests.
  • Inspect the wood around the house – Termites gets most active during the spring and summer season. Take out the time to inspect the wooden beams and exposed wood areas near you. Check the crumbling of wood by pressing the thumb or palm against it.

    You can stop damage if you find it early.
  • Remove boxes outdoors – Cardboard boxes around the yard or patio is the biggest gift to the termites. They like to chew on cardboard. You can opt to store things in plastic if it is needed to. 
  • Get rid of unwanted wood – Stacking wood against the wall outdoor poses a big risk of infestation and it can spread quickly with wood stored there.
  • Tend the garden – Use mulch made of alternative material like gravel or rubber instead of wood. The mulch should not be right in front of your house.
  • Minimize the moisture – Leaking pipes or any kind of wet wood must not be stored around your house. This will attract the termites easily and detecting it would be difficult.
  • Seal windows and doors – When termite swampers come out, they can get inside through broken window screens and doors with cracks and openings. You must ensure to seal them up properly.
  • Diatomaceous earth – You can use the effectiveness of diatomaceous earth to the fullest. Wherever you feel the activity, spread some powder, so that you can prevent the termites outside the house.
  • Vinegar – You can use vinegar in combination with lemon and make a deadly termite eliminator.

    Half a cup of vinegar with juice of two lemons will give you an effective solution that can be used to spray around to kill the termites. You need to prepare the required quantity with this proportion to cover all areas.
  • Wet cardboard – Place some wet cardboard in the porch area to attract the termites as they like moisture and cellulose. As termites position themselves on it, you can burn them out or pour a little borax powder to kill them. 
  • Boric acid – You can spread the powder in the affected areas to prevent the termites or you can use it with water and spray the mixture along the perimeter of the house.

    Make sure not to pour it on trees or bushes as it can kill the plants.
  • Neem oil – Neem oil is the natural insect growth regulator hence it stops the phase of termites that are going in the adult phase. This way, the infestation can be reduced.
  • Soap water – The ingredients in the soap will coat the termites and eventually, they will die of suffocation.  

  • Use of Nematodes – Clever use of nematodes will eradicate the termite colonies as the nematodes like the termites as their food. Also as the nematodes reproduce, the prevention of termites becomes much easier.
  • Retreat the house on schedule – Maintain a protective barrier around the exterior perimeter of your house containing termiticide/insecticide Fipronil that is low in toxicity. It is highly effective against both ants and termites.

Chemical Treatment to Get Rid of Outdoor Termites  

If you can arrest the termite colonies outdoors, then nothing is better than that. But for this, you need to remember that you must have proper vigilance over your perimeter and should be able to detect the start of infection. There are some methods that pest control service providers usually apply.

Prevention is always better to perform than having the headache of removing the infestation. Following treatment is done over termite infestation –

  1. Spectracide Termite Stakes – You can install these quickly. One packet contains 15 stakes which lasts throughout the season.

    As the active colony is detected, the stake will pop out of the ground. It kills foraging termites.

  2. Ortho Home Defense Max – It is available in trenching and non-trenching formats and the concentration solution makes 32 gallons of spray. The active ingredient is Bifenthrin that kills the termites and stops them from coming back.

  3. Termidor Foam – Works well to reach in outer wall and compound cracks and voids as it can reach due to its foam form. You need to seal the void after this treatment to prevent further occurrence.

If one uses the combination of natural and chemical treatment. it becomes more effective as overall chemical treatment is limited for the termite infestation.    

How to Get Rid of Termites in Your Yard?

Termites survive on cellulose that exists in wood and plant roots. When they first spread, they remain hidden and you will not even suspect their presence till you find some damage because on growing up, they get attracted to the light sources and start their activity.

Here are 5 effective ways to get rid of termites that have invaded your place –

  • Keeping moisture under control – Termites like damp places – you need to ensure to keep minimum damp wood and area around you.

    You can opt for a liquid termite barrier which can be used in wooden structures, woodpiles, and tree stumps. It can be used as a direct contact spray for killing termites.
  • Use of Nematodes – Nematodes, naturally occurring roundworms, can kill termites. They are effective natural insecticides because of their gut bacterium. These bacteria poison the termite’s blood and kill them. Nematodes do not cause harm to humans, pets, or plants.
  • Boric Acid – In powder form, boric acid is one of the best ways to get rid of several insects. It is also less toxic than other insecticides on the market.

    Use boric powder, sugar, and water concoction to attract termites. The termites entirely die off while trying to move boric acid to their colony.
  • Professional pest control – In case of over-infestation, the best option is to call professional pest control service providers who can help to get rid of termites from the deepest of the colonies. 

    What to avoid?

    Avoid using over-the-counter insect spray, pine sleepers, and relocation methods. This is because the insect spray will affect your plants.

    Pine sleepers will release arsenic which is toxic to the soil, and removing colonies will not help without knowing the actual depth of the colonies inside the soil.

How to Get Rid of Termites from Trees?

Termites are the only insects that subsist only on wood. They are beneficial as they help in recycling fallen trees and decaying stumps. However, they are a threat to the living trees which provide you with shed and fruits. As they can eat tree wood, they are a threat to trees that becomes unstable due to weakened roots.

If one wants to get rid of them, it must be understood how they look.

  • Usually, worker termites are white and can grow up to ½ inch in length.
  • Soldier termites are with colored heads and white bodies and can reach up to ¾ inch in length.
  • Reproductive termites are light brown or black and can reach up to ½ inch in length.

Simple Ways to Get Rid of Termites from Trees  

If you observe small holes and wood shavings in the tree, you can say there is a termite infestation on the tree. The tree gets infested mostly because of the Formosan termite colonies which are very large. You can also see the shelter tubes on the trunks of the trees.

You can get rid of termites from the trees in the following ways –

  • Ensure to prune infected wood as soon as possible.
  • Ensure the termites don’t spread from it by destroying or burning the wood properly.
  • Find out the termite colony and eradicate it. The colonies also may be found in woodpiles, in the ground, and underneath buildings.
  • You can spray liquid termiticide at the base of the infected tree in a 3-foot radius and nearby trees.
  • Along with base, spray trunk up to two feet height. This will prevent other termites from reaching the tree. If possible, you can also think of spraying in the entire yard.
  • Set termite traps around the place which will help you to identify the presence of termites around you.
  • Periodically monitor the trees and the surrounding area carefully.
  • Do not leave dead tree stumps in your yard.
  • Do not stack firewood near your home.
  • Do not pile excess mulch around your home.

How to Find Termite Nests?

Subterranean termites are the most spread species and are economically threatening. They usually build their nest in soil, as too much drying effect can kill them. They can’t survive long when exposed to the air.

However, dry wood termites do not need much moisture like others. They shelter in dry strong wood. They can be found in the southern coastal areas of both the Pacific and Atlantic Coast as well as along the Gulf Coast.

Dampwood termites seek out wood with excess moisture. They are found in Pacific Coast, the desert Southwest, Southern Florida, and the Caribbean. You can also find termites in mud tubes.

How to Treat Termite Bites?

Within a colony, there are different types of termites. There are workers, the queen, and the new baby termites. Also, there are soldiers whose work is to protect the colony. These types of termites have a largely developed mandible designed to bite other insects like ants, but not necessarily humans.

Soldier termite might bite you if you choose to pick it up but it’s rare. Even if termite bites, it is neither poisonous nor carries diseases.

In case you are bitten by a termite, it is quite painful and you feel that bite many days. It is similar to a mosquito bite with a red spot. It goes away in a day or two. If it persists, then apply hydrocortisone cream in case of itching. This will cure the bite.

However, it is always recommended to consult a doctor to ensure that it is a termite bite and not another insect.      

FAQs

How to Get Rid of Termites under Pavers?

You need to regularly inspect pavers by lifting them, trench underneath, and applying chemicals under a termite management system.

How to Get Rid of Termites around Pool?

Termites might be found in the soil around the pool. The best option is to build the pools with termite and weed-proof grounds. This will not allow the termites around the pool and the infestation can be avoided.

How to Get Rid of Termites with Wings?

The termites with the wings can be stopped by using bug zappers, orange oil spray, cardboard trap, or boric acid. Use appropriate one as needed.

How to Get Rid of Giant Termites?

One can stop the giant termites by using a coat or spray of boric acid on wood indoor and by placing boric bait outdoor.

How to Get Rid of Termites under Carpet?

Spreading a liberal amount of sodium borate and vacuuming it after 5 days is the most effective way to get rid of termites under or over the carpet.

Make sure to keep children and pets away.

How do vegans Get Rid of Termites?

In the case of termites, it is easier to prevent their infestations than get rid of, the vegan way. There cannot be advisable relocation of the termites as this means you are going to destroy someone else’s property.

How to Get Rid of Termites in Refrigerator?

If you keep the refrigerator sufficiently away from the wall and take care of excess water containers, then there will not be any termite infestation below or behind the refrigerator.

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