Termites can cost you a lot of money. They reproduce and nest on wood, furniture and other surfaces in your home, and often damage them.
They cause harm and even result in fires and structural destruction of your property. Yet merely knowing that they are there in your home may already be highly unpleasant.
You know you have termites in your home when you observe the following signs and symptoms.
When you find a few of these signs in your home, you indeed have some amount of termite infestation. And you should act fast to eliminate them before they breed uncontrollably and cause significant damage to your home.
And the most effective thing you can do is to call a professional pest control service provider. You can also go DIY methods that often require you to use termiticides and other chemicals, given the scale of an infestation is manageable.
But if you are looking for more natural ways to get rid of the termites, you use the following products.
Concentrated salt kills termites by dehydrating them and causing them to die.
All you have to do is add salt and warm water in a standard quart jar and stir until well combined. The more salt there is, the better.
Then, fill a regular syringe halfway with this salty water solution and shoot it immediately into any entry or exit sites you've noticed.
After you've applied the mixture to the primary areas of infestation, you can also use it as a preventative measure by distributing it around your house or any other areas of major concern.
This approach will most likely not kill all termites, but it is a viable alternative for preventing or dealing with a smaller scale termite infestation.
Capsaicin is the main active ingredient found in chili peppers that gives it its hot and spicy flavor. This chemical will also naturally kill termites by severely injuring their nerve systems.
So cayenne pepper is excellent for eliminating termites.
For small scale termite infestations, make a paste by combining vegetable oil and pepper and applying it to any affected area for a few days. Use this strategy for around 4-5 days and then assess how well the mixture worked.
Boric acid is a natural insecticide and wood preservative that does not kill termites when they come into contact with it.
When termites taste and digest boric acid, the acid stops them from extracting nutrients from whatever they are eating, no matter how much they eat.
This acid is generally available in powder form and can be sprayed directly or diluted with water. When using, ensure to use a mask and goggles,and to be cautious when using it around other people in your home, especially children.
This type of acid is best used outside, but if you must use it indoors, combine one teaspoon of the acid with one cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Simply shake the bottle until the substance is dissolved, then use as needed. Use this procedure for about a week, then check for signs of its effect on the treated regions.
There are numerous methods for making termite traps, but a straightforward approach is to use a cardboard bait system.
Place the cardboard in the most affected regions and wait for the insects to infest it.
After a while, remove the cardboard and burn it to kill the termites that have become trapped inside.
This is not a one-time fix, so be sure to attempt it several times.
And this strategy is best implemented in conjunction with a professional poison treatment.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a form of sand that is distinct in that it is composed of fossilized algae.
It has a wide range of applications, including a variety of health benefits. And this sand can also be used to kill termites.
This sand is non-toxic to humans. However, it is incredibly hazardous to pests.
Because the diatoms that make up this substance are razor-edged, the particles in diatomaceous earth are significantly sharp.
When these edges come into contact with termites, they cut through their outer covering, allowing moisture to escape from their body. And being an absorptive matter, DE will absorb all the escaped moisture, dehydrating the termites.
Nematodes or “roundworms” (not related to actual worms) are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
These worms are capable of combating a wide range of pests, including termites.
Nematodes attack and kill their victim by injecting lethal germs or by infiltrating the host, parasitizing it, and then feeding on it.
The advantage of these worms is that they are not harmful to wood. And most importantly, nematodes are not dangerous to humans or pets, and they die once the task is over.
To use nematodes, carefully place them into a large bucket of water and gradually blend them together to achieve a uniform mixture.
Fill a spray bottle halfway with the mixture and spray it on the area of infestation. The nematodes will naturally spread as the water sinks into the wood.
One spray every day should suffice.
Before going this way to get rid of termites, make sure you complete your homework. There are various varieties of nematodes for various infestations, so you have to ensure that you get those that are appropriate for termites.
Simply blend the juice of 2 lemons with 1/2 cup of vinegar. Then, fill a spray bottle halfway with the resulting mixture.
This mixture should be sprayed into the mud holes that serve as entrances to the actual termite mounds. Or you can spray it directly on the mounds.
You can also apply the mixture on any wooden structures, fences or nooks and corners that these pests may enter.
If done correctly, the lemon juice and vinegar mixture will sink deep into crevasses and grooves, killing the termites effectively.
Repeat the spraying technique for a few days and then check to see the progress regularly.
Orange oil derived from orange rinds contains D-limonene, which is non-toxic to humans or pets but can kill termites.
Orange oil is most effective against termites in the early stages of infestation. It is not best to use after they have fully colonized an area.
And this approach is only effective locally. So it is only effective where the oil has been administered.
To use this method, drill holes and apply the oil to affected regions or mud tubes. You may need to repeat this multiple times and in different locations for it to do its job effectively.
While this natural option works great above ground, if you have an infestation underground, you will most likely need to resort to alternative means of extermination.
For hundreds of years, neem oil has been an effective pesticide, especially in India, where neem trees are widespread.
This oil disrupts the insect reproductive system's cycle. So when a termite consumes the oil, it alters the insect's hormonal system, causing the termites to forget about eating and mating.
This eventually eliminates egg-laying and prevents termites from reproducing. This particular material also emits a noxious odor that termites dislike, driving them away from the areas you treat.
You can create your own blend by first obtaining raw or crude neem oil.
Once you've obtained it, you'll need to emulsify the oil with light liquid soap.
The general proportion is 5mL neem oil to 2mL liquid soap to 1 liter of water. Ensure to add the soap first, followed by the neem oil.
After that, simply pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use it as needed.
Make sure to utilize this mixture as soon as possible after making it because the contents begin to degrade after around 8 hours.
Also, if you are pregnant, you should be extra careful with this material. You might have to consult a doctor for your safety first.
And of course, the best action you can do to eliminate termites safely and effectively is to hire a professional pest control service in the first place.
Eliminating pests can be complicated at times, depending on the scale of the infestation. And doing the job can also be dangerous, especially when you’re dealing with termites.
You simply wouldn’t know how vast the structural damages they have already caused your home without a professional eye. So you might encounter falling debris or breakage when you are in the process of inspecting or eliminating them.
So the best way is the safest way.
Contact Agro Pest Pros to ensure fast, efficient and safe termite elimination.
