Is it Possible to Kill Termites Naturally?
Getting rid of termites may seem a nightmare. As these small creatures slowly weaken your home, one day at a time, you might want to act fast. Calling a professional pet control company might not be an option so you look into ways to get rid of termites on your own using natural, eco-friendly methods.
1. Detecting the Termite Infestation
The first step to solving a termite problem is identifying where they’re hiding. Check areas such as basements, garages, wooden beams, and furniture. Different kinds of termites leave different telltale signs, so let’s take a look at some of the most common kinds of termites:
Drywood Termites
As the name suggests, they live in areas with dry wood and are often found in floorboards, timber around your home, furniture, wooden walls, and the like. They are some of the most common types of termites to infest homes. They get their water from the wood they eat and build their nests in the wood itself and not in the soil and can live without ever making contact with the soil.
These infestations begin by a swarm of termites flying into or around your home, locating a crevice to begin their infestation and then dropping their wings before setting up camp. Key signs of an infestation include:
- Hollow wood sounds when tapped.
- Mud trails near wooden structures.
- Discarded wings around window sills or light sources.
- Frass (termite droppings) resembling pepper granules near wooden items due to the fact that they live and eat in tight spaces. If you observe mounds of droppings around or below dry wood, this is the type of termite you’ve got.
Target all colonies at once for the best results.
Note: You would not find termite wings lying around after they have already infested a place. Some termite wings are almost double the length of the termite, a lot longer than that of ants. A lot of ant varieties also spread in a similar way to termites, so don’t be alarmed if you spot smaller wings. Ants are a pest too, but not nearly as bad as termites.
2. Protecting Your Furniture
Once termites are detected, protect your furniture by isolating it and applying natural treatments. Consider removing heavily infested items if the damage is irreparable.
3. Use a Cardboard Trap
Termites are attracted to cellulose, found abundantly in cardboard. Follow these steps:
- Stack 4-5 wet cardboard sheets.
- Place them near termite hideouts.
- After a couple of days, you’ll notice termites on the cardboard. Safely dispose of it by burning it.
This method helps reduce their numbers, though it might not eliminate the infestation entirely.
4. Introduce Beneficial Nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are microscopic organisms that attack termites by releasing bacteria into their bodies. They are:
- Safe for humans, pets, and plants.
- Effective in killing termites and other wood-boring insects.
Simply spray nematodes in your yard and around infested areas. They can be purchased online or at garden centers
5. Sunlight Treatment
Termites thrive in darkness and moisture. For infested furniture, try sunlight treatment:
- Place the furniture in direct sunlight for a full day.
- This will kill termites and help dry out their habitat.
Sunlight is especially effective for drywood termites, which infest wooden furniture.
6. Avoid Using Wooden Mulch
If you have a garden, switch to low-cellulose mulch alternatives, such as coconut husk mulch, to deter termites. Wooden mulch provides termites with a steady food source and should be removed if termites are present.
7. Apply Boric Acid
Boric acid is a natural pesticide that’s effective against termites. Here’s how to use it:
- Mix boric acid powder with water or propylene glycol to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to infested areas or sprinkle the powder around termite mounds.
- Wear gloves during application for safety.
Boric acid disrupts the termites’ nervous system, killing them effectively.
8. Set Up Termite Bait Systems
Termite bait systems work by luring termites with treated bait. You can use termite bait or any sort of liquid termiticide to get rid of the entire colony.
- Termite bait systems are really easy to install — all you need to do is place the sticks into the ground and monitor them every few days. The monitoring system consists of a stick with holes and slits, which are placed into the soil for the termites to attack.
- If you find the termites attacking the stick, add a bit of termite bait to it. They’ll then take it back to the colony for the queen and all the others to feed on — this will get rid of them all from the source itself.
- Another option would be Spectracide Terminate, First Line Termite Defense System, or any other similar mechanism that you can find at your local store. (One of our readers mentioned that this is highly toxic to birds and fish – so think twice before using it.)
- Keep in mind you’ll also need the bait once you’ve spotted the termites. Some of the best include Cyper TC, Termidor SC, Premise 75 Termiticide and Phantom Termiticide.
You can also ask your family, friends, or your neighbors if they’ve used something and what they recommend you purchase at your local store. However, the above-mentioned products are proven to be perfect exterminators.
Ensure the bait you use is non-toxic to pets and wildlife.
Natural termite control methods are a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to chemical treatments. However, patience and diligence are key, as these methods often take time. Always monitor treated areas regularly and combine multiple strategies for the best results.
Natural termite control methods are a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to chemical treatments. However, patience and diligence are key, as these methods often take time. Always monitor treated areas regularly and combine multiple strategies for the best results.
References :
DIY Pest Control. “Natural Termite Remedies.” Do It Yourself Pest Control, https://diypestcontrol.com/natural-termite-remedies.
The Home Depot. “How to Get Rid of Termites.” The Home Depot, https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/how-to-get-rid-of-termites/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90f3bcc9e4.
FMC Corporation. FirstLine Termite Defense System Fact Sheet. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Nov. 2020, https://ag.ok.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Firstline-Termite-Defense-System-Fact-Sheet-FMC-Corporation.pdf.