Cockroaches, rodents, bed bugs, and termites, all are equally destructive to mankind. Although it may become easy to detect and control other pests at home, it may become really stressful to detect and destroy termite infestation at home. These tiny wood-loving pests can destroy all your furniture and wooden works often without giving you the slightest hint.
If you detect signs of white ants or termites at home, there is a possibility for you to panic and we do understand your concern to know about how to kill termites at home using the best termite killer or treatment.
So, how to get rid of termites at home? Worry not, as we are here to enlighten you with the best home remedies and termite control for the home in this post.
What are Termites?
Before we discuss in detail what kills termites home remedies, we want you to first know a little more about termites. These are small insects that love to feed on wood. There are three different types of termites found around us and they are drywood termites, dampwood termites, and subterranean termites. Homeowners usually get to detect subterranean or drywood termite infestation at homes.
When should I Get Termite Treatment for My Premise?
Termite treatment for your premises should ideally be conducted as a preventive measure or as soon as you notice signs of termite activity. Here are some situations when you should consider getting termite treatment:
- Preventive Measures: If you live in an area prone to termite infestations, it’s wise to schedule regular termite inspections and treatments as a preventive measure. Many pest control companies offer annual or bi-annual inspection plans to catch any early signs of termites.
- During Real Estate Transactions: If you’re buying or selling a property, it’s common practice to get a termite inspection as part of the process. If termites are found, treatment may be necessary before the sale can proceed.
- After Spotting Signs of Termites: Signs of termite activity include mud tubes along walls or foundations, hollow-sounding wood, discarded wings, and frass (termite droppings). If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage.
- During Construction or Renovation: If you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, consider incorporating termite treatment into the construction process. Pre-construction termite treatments can create a barrier against termites and help protect your property from the outset.
- After Nearby Termite Infestations: If neighboring properties have experienced termite problems, there’s a risk that termites could spread to your premises. In such cases, it’s a good idea to schedule a termite inspection and possibly treatment to prevent infestation.
- Regular Maintenance: Even if you haven’t noticed any signs of termites, it’s still a good idea to schedule periodic termite inspections and treatments as part of your property maintenance routine. This can help catch any potential problems early and prevent costly damage.
How to Detect Termites at Home?
As mentioned earlier, it is hard to detect termites at home unlike other pests like cockroaches, rats, and ants. So, try to look for the following early signs of white ants or termite infestation at home:
8 Early Signs of termite infestation
- Mud tubes on walls
- Wooden dust around the furniture
- Holes and cracks in furniture or wooden structures
- Discarded wings scattered on the floor
- Cracks on wall paints
- Hollow floorboards or furniture
- Windows or doors getting stuck
- Foul smell of dampness around wooden structures
Although experts recommend not trying DIY tricks to remove termites from home, we feel that the following white ants or termite removal hacks are showing great results in 2022-23. So, have a look at the following tips on how to get rid of termites with home remedies.
10 Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of Termites from Home
- Apply Neem Oil
- Use Clove Oil
- Try Orange Oil
- White Vinegar Works
- Use Diatomaceous Earth
- Sprinkle Boric Acid
- Use Petroleum Jelly or Aloe Vera
- Salt Remedy
- Heat Treatment
- Cold Treatment
1. Apply Neem Oil
The bitter smell of neem oil acts as a natural insect repellent that kills not just wood insects but bed bugs, and mosquitoes also. Use neem oil as a natural pest killer, and inject it inside the wooden structures to kill termites without facing any harmful effects of other chemicals.
2. Use Clove Oil
Second effective homemade termite killing solution can be made using clove oil and water. Mix 3 drops of clove oil in about half a cup of water and use it in a spray bottle. Spray it on the affected area and see how effortlessly it kills termites.
3. Try Orange Oil
Do not underestimate the power of orange oil when it comes to getting rid of termites at home. This oil contains d-limonene, the main killing compound that is just intolerable to pests like termites. Use an orange oil and water spray to kill not just termites but other pests at home in a natural way.
4. White Vinegar Works
The majority of us, do have a bottle of white vinegar in our kitchens. So that’s it, mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and half a cup of water. Your termite-killing solution is ready to kill these wood-loving pests.
Also Read: What causes termites?
5. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Still eager to know about other effective termite killers? Try Diatomaceous Earth which has the potential to kill not just termites but carpenter ants too. Perhaps, this is the reason that it is recommended as one of the best natural pest killers for homeowners.
6. Sprinkle Boric Acid
Call it borax or boric acid, this is an ultimate pest control solution. Ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites, all get killed when they come in direct contact with boric acid. This powder has the power to damage the nervous system of these pests and therefore, it is counted as one of the best home remedies to get rid of termites.
7. Use Petroleum Jelly or Aloe Vera
If none of the above solutions are available at home, try petroleum jelly to kill termites. Phenol present in petroleum jelly tends to suffocate the termites and the same effect can also be tried using aloe vera. Both these work as natural home remedies for termites for homeowners.
8. Salt Home Remedy to Get Rid of Termites
The common table salt available in every house can be used for perfect and best termite treatment at home. Make salty water and fill it in a spray bottle to spray on the affected areas of your house. This salty solution will dehydrate the termites infesting your house and kill them eventually.
9. Heat Treatment
If nothing else suits you, go and try the successful heat treatment to control termites at home. Just use hot air or increase the temperature of the infected area up to 120 degrees and maintain it for half an hour. This much heat for this much time will kill the termites instantly.
10. Cold Treatment
Going just vice versa to the above-mentioned heat termite treatment at home, you may even try the cold treatment to kill the termites at home. However, unlike heat treatment, cold treatment takes a longer time to see the desired results. For this, you need to drop the temperature up to 15 degrees and maintain it for up to 4 consecutive days to kill the termites.
Also Read: Best termite killer chemical in india
Conclusion
If the above home remedies for termites fail to give you the desired results, then HiCare, India’s leading digital hygiene and pest control company can help you get rid of termites. Book the ultimate and most effective Termite Treatment at home from HiCare. It is a warranty-backed service that is conducted by experienced hygiene experts using the triple action plan of drill, fill, and seal. All you need is to adhere to some pre-and post-treatment guidelines to enjoy the best efficacy of this termite control treatment from HiCare.
FAQs Related to Termite Treatment
1. What is the best treatment for termites?
The most effective and fastest way to get rid of termites depends on the severity of the infestation and the type of termites present. It is recommended to seek the help of a professional pest control company to accurately identify the type of termites and the extent of the infestation, and to provide appropriate treatment options.
2. What are signs of termites?
Termites can be difficult to detect because they often hide within walls, floors, or other structures. However, there are some signs that can indicate the presence of termites in your home or property. These signs include Hollow-sounding wood, Mud tubes, Discarded wings, Wood damage, Blistered paint or wallpaper.
3. How do I get rid of termites permanently?
Getting rid of termites permanently is not an easy task. However, there are several methods that can help reduce or eliminate termite from your home or property which includes professional treatment, bait stations, soil treatment, physical barriers and regular inspections.
4. Does salt stop termites?
Salt is not an effective method for eliminating termite infestations. While salt can kill termites upon contact, it is not an effective long-term solution for controlling a termite infestation.
5. What food kills termites?
There is no single food that can kill termites but you can do one thing mix a half cup of vinegar with two lemon juice that creates an effective acidic spray that will help to eliminate the termite colony. Termites are specialized insects that feed on cellulose, which is found in plant material such as wood, paper, and cardboard.
6. How do you stop termites from spreading?
Termites can be a serious threat to the structural integrity of buildings and wooden structures, and it's important to take measures to stop them from spreading. Here are some important tips to prevent termites from spreading include Identify the source, Remove food sources, Use barriers, Apply termite treatments and Maintain good drainage.
7. What do termites eat?
Termites are known for their ability to break down cellulose, which is found in plant material such as wood, plants, carpet, insulation, cardboard, sheetrock paper, fabrics and animal feces.
8. How do you control termites in furniture?
Termites can cause significant damage to wooden furniture, and controlling them requires a multi-step approach. Here are some useful steps that can help control termites in furniture include Identify the infested areas, Isolate the infested furniture, Freeze the infested furniture, Use insecticides, Use termite baits and Regular inspection.