10 Amazing Home Remedies To Get Rid of Termites You Must Try

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.

Also Read: How to Identify Termites at Home and Tips to Control Them?

What are the Different Types of Termites?

There are several different types of termites, commonly categorized based on their habitat and behavior. Here are the main types:

1. Subterranean Termites

• Eastern Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes flavipes): Found in the eastern United States, they build large colonies and are highly destructive.
• Formosan Subterranean Termites (Coptotermes formosanus): Known as one of the most aggressive and destructive termite species, found in the southern United States.
• Western Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes hesperus): Commonly found in the western United States.

2. Drywood Termites:

• Western Drywood Termites (Incisitermes minor): Found primarily in the southwestern United States, these termites live inside the wood they infest.
• Southeastern Drywood Termites (Incisitermes snyderi): Common in the southeastern United States, particularly in Florida.

3. Dampwood Termites:

• Pacific Dampwood Termites (Zootermopsis angusticollis): Found in the Pacific coastal states, these termites prefer moist wood.
• Nevada Dampwood Termites (Zootermopsis nevadensis): Located in the dry desert areas of Nevada and other southwestern states.

4. Conehead Termites:

• Conehead Termites (Nasutitermes corniger): Originally from the Caribbean, they have spread to parts of Florida. They build distinctive cone-shaped heads and are known for their aggressive foraging behavior.

5. Formosan Termites:

• Often categorized under subterranean termites, these are highly aggressive and form large colonies, capable of causing extensive damage rapidly.

6. Desert Termites:

• Gnathamitermes spp.: Found in arid regions, they feed on grass and wood but are less destructive compared to other species.

Each type of termite has unique characteristics and behaviors that influence how they infest structures and how they are controlled.

When should I Get Termites Treatment for My Premise?

Termites 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 termites 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 termites treatment into the construction process. Pre-construction termites treatment 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:

10 Signs of Termite Infestation at Home

1. Hollow-Sounding Wood: Tap on wood; hollow sounds indicate damage.
2. Mud Tubes: Pencil-sized tubes on walls or beams.
3. Discarded Wings: Piles of wings near windows or doors.
4. Frass (Termite Droppings): Pellet-like droppings near wood.
5. Blisters in Wood Flooring: Blisters or dark areas in wood flooring.
6. Damaged or Hollowed Wood: Crumbling wood structures.
7. Swollen Floors and Ceilings: Spongy, swollen areas.
8. Head Banging Noises: Clicking sounds from disturbed termites.
9. Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows: Warped doors and windows.
10. Visible Termites: Seeing live termites in your home.

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

1. Apply Neem Oil
2. Use Clove Oil
3. Try Orange Oil
4. White Vinegar Works
5. Use Diatomaceous Earth
6. Sprinkle Boric Acid
7. Use Petroleum Jelly or Aloe Vera
8. Salt Remedy
9. Heat Treatment
10. 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 termites 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 termites 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 Termites 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.