Do you have a termite infestation in your house?
Termites can do a lot of damage to your house & furniture. Sometimes, when you detect their presence, it becomes too late because they already damaged a lot in your house.
Below I will talk to you about 13 home remedies that you can use to get rid of termites
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Termites
The 13 best home remedies that I have used to get rid of termites are
1. Aloe Vera Termite Spray
Aloe Vera is able to kill termites when they get in contact with it.
Crush the Aloe Vera plant, and pour enough water until it fully immersed. But, don’t add too much water, it will decrease its concentration and killing effect. Now spray this liquid directly on them.
2. Sodium Chloride to Kill Termites
Spray sodium chloride solution on the infected areas. You can also soak some cotton balls and place near them. This will kill these pests, and stop their recurring.
3. Petroleum Jelly Termite Treatment
There are many heavy wood oils available which you can use, but most people prefer petroleum jelly.
Just rub the petroleum jelly on the wooden furniture. Leave it for 1-2 days to dry, and then use a soft cloth to polish it. By polishing with petroleum jelly, these little pests will not attack the furniture.
4. Sunlight
Termites die when they’re exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays because they are extremely susceptible to sunlight.
So, exposing termites to sunlight is a good way to kill them. So, you should move your furniture in the sunlight and keep it there for 3-4 days to ensure that, all the termites die.
5. Wet Cardboard Boxes attract Termites
Termites feed on cellulose, and it’s present in wooden things including your furniture, and other things, that’s why they attack them. Cellulose is present in the cardboard, and therefore, it gives a woody smell.
Make its smell more powerful by making it wet. So, that these cardboard boxes will attract termites.
Now, place the wet cardboard near the place where you suspect a termite infestation. When termites colonize and start feeding on the cardboard, then burn it, to kill all of them.
6. Orange Oil Termite Treatment
Orange oil is an extract of orange peels, which is insoluble in water. Orange oil contains D-limonene, which kills termites and has low toxicity.
Therefore, it’s a popular and preferred termite control home remedy. It is also popularly known by the name “Orange oil termite”.
Simply drill small holes at the termite infested places, and inject the orange oil. You can also spray it on the surface. When termites get into the contact, they’ll die. Use orange oil after every few days to get rid of termites completely.
7. Electrolysis Termite Control
Termites’ body contains mostly water, and therefore, it makes them a perfect kill by electrocution. For using electricity against them, drill the termite infestation areas, and pass the high-voltage current which will kill them instantly.
You’ve to be very careful while using this method. Ignorant behavior can cause severe damage to you, and your house. Therefore, we recommend that you consult an expert before using electricity and take all the necessary information.
8. Use Temperature to Kill Termites
Termites can’t live in extreme temperatures; therefore, these can be killed by increasing or decreasing the temperature. You can use sunlight to kill them by heat, or you can use liquid nitrogen for creating colder conditions.
9. Boric Acid Termite Killer
Boric Acid is a white power which can be used as an insecticide. It damages their nervous system and kills them. It can also be used to kill cockroaches and ants.
Mix boric acid with water, and apply it on the wooden surfaces using a paintbrush where you’ve termite infestation. While using boric acid, it’s advisable to wear mask and gloves because inhaling or intake of it can be dangerous to humans.
10. Microwave Termite Extermination
You can use microwaves to create high temperature to kill termites. If you don’t have a microwave, then you take one on rent. The efficiency of this method is up to 90%.
But, this method is only applicable for those wooden things which can be placed in the microwave, roughly of the size 1-2 feet. Heat the wooden things for approximately 15-30 minutes, and it’s not necessary to drill holes in it.
11. Vinegar with Lemon Juice
Take a half cup of vinegar and the juice of two lemons. Mix them properly, and pour them in a spray bottle. Now, spray the mixture where you find termites and their entrances. Also, spray on the surfaces and wooden furniture where you suspect their existence. This mixture will seep through the cracks, holes and will kill termites.
12. Termite Bomb Foggers
Pesticide foggers are commonly known by the name “bug bombs” or “termite bombs”. You can found these pesticide bombs at grocery and hardware stores. These bombs consist of termiticide or liquid insecticide which is dispensed from pressurized aerosol cans.
A bomb disperses a fog of termiticide in the air, which falls on the floor and other things which are exposed to it. When the bugs and termites came in contact with it, they die. Termiticide used in bombs doesn’t penetrate wood and therefore can’t reach their nests. So, direct contact is required for killing.
Inhaling termiticides are harmful to both humans and pets; therefore, you should have proper knowledge before using it in your home.
13. Essential Oil for Termites
There are many essential oils which kill and repel termites like clove bud oil, vetiver oil, orange oil, tea tree oil, etc. These oils can be sprayed directly on the termites or applied in full strength to the wood.
Use these oils by adding them to water, but adding too much water can decrease its concentration and its effect will decrease. Apply the oil treatment after every few days.
According to the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, most of the essential oils are believed to have a neurotoxic effect on insects. It’s observed that therapeutic grade oils give the best result.
14. Use Parasitic Nematodes for Termite Control
Parasitic Nematodes are the small worms that feed on microscopic creatures like fungi and bacteria. However, some other groups of parasitic nematodes feed on termites, which can be used as a powerful weapon.
You can find parasitic nematodes in online stores or in your local pesticide store.
15. Termites need moisture to grow
It’s known that termites’ population grows in moisture-rich areas. So, you can decrease their growth or chances of having termites in the future by eliminating moisture. For it, you can repair moisture-prone areas, leakages etc.
16. Diatomaceous Earth kills Termites
Diatomaceous earth is a soft, porous sedimentary deposit or you can say, a naturally produced which formed from the fossil remains of diatoms. The diatomaceous earth penetrates the exoskeletons of the termites and kills them by dehydrating their body.
Pour diatomaceous earth over termite mounds, and wherever you find them.
17. Termidor Termite Treatment
Termidor is a professional product which is used to kill termites. It can be mixed with water spread around the corners, wooden things, outside your home, places where termites live.
18. Neem Oil Termite Control
Neem Oil is a safe and non-toxic way to get rid of termites but it works slowly. Neem oil acts as an insect growth regulator and prevents them from molting, which leads to their death. Termites die when they get into direct contact with Neem oil.
Put Neem oil on a cotton ball and apply on the infected area. Termites will intake it, and they’ll die. You can follow this procedure for a few days to kill all the termites.
19. Use Borax to Control Termites
Borax also is known as Sodium Borate, is able to kill termites by shutting down their nervous system, and then by dehydration.
So, if someone asks you a question, whether borax kill them?
The answer is, Yes, borax kill termites effectively.
Coat infested areas with borax powder, you can also spray a borax solution which will be formed by dissolving it in water. Repeat this procedure for several days to kill an entire colony.
Final Words
These above-mentioned home remedies for termite treatment works great in many cases. But, sometimes the infestation is simply too large that you don’t have any choice to take help of a professional.
So, do you get rid of termites? Did you take the professional help? What’s your experience in dealing with these pests?
We are looking for more suggestions in the comments.