How to Get Rid of Termites | 7 Natural Ways

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So, imagine you bought a well-curated and crafted piece of wooden furniture for your home. Not only does it feature a unique design, but it also comes with all the intricacies you have wanted in a piece. But, a few months down the line, you start witnessing the furniture getting wasted away from the inside. And, who’s to blame for the damage? Well, you guessed it right, termites. Termites are wood-eating parasites that destroy and damage your wooden furniture beyond repair.

You will often find signs of their existence when you notice wood chippings and wood dust around the furniture, something that wasn’t there before. Once the termites invade your house, it becomes extremely difficult to get rid of them naturally if you don’t intervene.

Also read: How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes? | 14 Effective Ways

If you have experience termite invasion before, you must check for further returns now and then. Also, if you start noting signs of termites in your home, there is no way for you to sit and relax. You need to act immediately.

However, if you aren’t sure how to get rid of termites, we have your back. 

How to Identify a Termite Infestation at Home?

There are predominantly two types of termites – the subterranean and the dry wood termites. Although they both attack the wood in the house, they leave behind trails that can alert you about a possible infestation.

Some of the common ways to identify a termite infestation are by checking for the following:

1. Hollow Wood

One of the most common signs of an infestation is the prevalence of hollow wood. For this, you need to tap on the wood and check for hollow sounds. If they are evident, the chances are that these termites have eaten away at the middle of the wood, leaving the insides hollow. 

2. Mud Wood

Another sign to look out for is mud woods. This is a common sign of subterranean termite infestation, which goes via the wooden passages into the soil to feed on them. They are often difficult to spot, so make sure you do a thorough inspection around the house.

3. Swarm Presence

If you find a range of wings in piles around the house, it is a possible sign of subterranean termite infestation. They have a habit of forming colonies and then shedding their wings before they infest another part of the house.

4. Headbanging

Although it might sound farfetched, if you are witnessing signs of strange clicking sound from the furniture or even your walls, it could indicate a sign of termite infestation. This is often done by the head of the soldier, who instructs the rest of the swarm about a possible threat.

5. Peeling Paint

If your wooden objects around the house are losing paint, it is an alarming sign of termite infestation. This happens when the termites eat through the wood and create an air bubble in the middle where the paint starts peeling out from.

6. Seeing Live Termites

Another common sign of an infestation is seeing live termites around the house. They are very hard to detect, so make sure that you keep your eyes out on them. Sometimes, they mimic the appearance of a flying ant, so make sure you don’t end up confusing them.

List of Ways to Get Rid of Termites

Now that you know what signs you should watch out for, the next thing is to know how to get rid of termites. You need to realize that getting rid of termites is not the easiest, mainly because finding traces of these small pests is difficult. Most of the time, you wouldn’t even know until the damage has been done.

So, we have sorted out some of the most effective ways to get rid of termites for you to implement in your home.

1. Work On Getting Rid of the Moisture

Irrespective of the kind or type of pest you are dealing it, most of the time, their infestation is due to the moisture in your home. If you live in a tropical country with humid weather all year round, you need to pay extra attention to your home’s walls and other spots. The last thing you want is for the termites to be attracted to the damp wall above you. 

When the humidity is at its peak during the hot summer months, try to install a dehumidifier in your home. If that doesn’t work, you can also switch on the air conditioner now and then to get rid of the issues.

2. Determine the Type of Infestation

As we mentioned in the section above, there are predominantly two types of termite infestation. Before you implement a way to eradicate them out of the house, you should instead focus on determining the kind of infestation you are dealing with. Knowing that helps you choose the right chemicals or home remedies to get rid of them for good.

If you have a subterranean termite infestation, you might have to consider stricter remedies and eradication methods because only that works to swipe them out of your home for good.

3. Set Up the Cardboard Trap

One of the most effective and easiest ways to get rid of the termite infestation in your home is by setting up a cardboard trap. This is effective, not to mention that it will attract a lot more of the termites than you anticipate. The cardboard trap is effective because of the cellulose in the cardboard that these small termites feed on.

Make sure you set up this trap once you have determined the spot they infest the most. Once that is sorted, you can set up the trap and leave it there until the entire cardboard is filled. Once that happens, take it out to the backyard and burn it. You might have to do it multiple times before you see the results.

4. Fix Any Leaks

Like most other insects and pests around you, even termites are attracted to moisture and water since they rely on soil a lot. So, it goes without saying that if you have any kinds of leaks infesting your home, you need to get them fixed immediately without any questions. Decayed wooden roofs or moisture-filled walls are a primary trigger for termite infestation.

If you witness any kinds of leakage or moisture around the house, be it in the basement or the other parts, you must take care of the same. The last thing you want is to leave out the dingy corners. Check every corner.

5. Try Essential Oils

Essential Oils
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/essential-oils-flower-aromatherapy-3084952/

Although essential oils might not do a lot for your health scientifically, they can do a lot to keep these pesky termites out of the house. Essential oils like orange and neem oil are proven beneficial in getting rid of the termites for good. Not only does the strong smell drive them out of the house, but it also prevents them from laying eggs, which prevents further reproduction and makes the spread manageable.

If you are using essential oils, make sure that you make a diluted solution of the specific essential oil and spray it in the problem areas in the house. Spray it in the infested wood, which should bring them out of the wood and kill them.

6. Get Rid of Clutter

Termites love the clutter because it enables them to hide better and shield their body away from harm. However, this is where you need to step up your game. If you have a basement filled to the brim with furniture and other knick-knacks, you need to get rid of them for good. Either sell them out, or you can donate them to the ones in need. However, make sure that you also check for existing trails of the termite infestation while getting rid of the excess furniture.

7. Try Sunlight Exposure

Last on the list of remedies is trying to keep the furniture out in the sunlight. If the infestation has gone out of control, this is your best bet. However, you need to ensure that you put them under direct afternoon sunlight when it’s the strongest for the best results. Since termites like dark and colder conditions, direct heat and light exposure are bound to kill them and save the rest of the furniture from further damage.

If you have a termite infestation happening in your home, the first thing you need to do is address the problem. Check the extent of damage, and only then should you wonder how to get rid of termites from your home. Sometimes, the basic remedies above can help you out. At other times, you might need to seek some professional help to get rid of the issues for good. So, do proper research and then move ahead and make an informed decision on what you need to do to get rid of these insects from your home.

Also read: How to Get Rid Of House Flies | Do Your Own Pest Control

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do Home Remedies Work for Termites?

Yes, if the level of infestation is not out of control, the home remedies are effective in getting rid of them eventually. However, make sure that you contact a professional if things are out of hand.

Is Salt Effective in Killing Termites?

To an extent, they work well. However, you need to make a concentrated salt solution with water and then inject them into the infested areas.

Does Catnip Work for Termites?

Yes, catnip is an effective way to control termites and their infestation. Just ensure that you follow the instructions of usage on the package.

By James Edwards

James Edwards is a writer & editor with almost 15 years of experience from Murphys, California. He earned his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University.

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