Every year, termites cause more than $5 billion in damage across the United States. Shockingly, about $2 billion of that comes from a single termite species: the eastern subterranean termite.
But that’s only one of the 28 other invasive termite species worldwide. In U.S. homes, the other common species is the Formosan subterranean termite. These two cause much damage to over 600,000 homes in the country each year!
Repairing termite damage is also a financial nightmare. One structure alone can already set you back $339 to $740. The bottom line? Learning how to get rid of termites should be a top priority if you want to avoid pricey repairs. Because the longer they stay in your home, the harder it will be to put a stop to their destructive power.
We’ll let you in on the secrets to dealing with termites, so make sure you keep reading!
Know How To Spot Termites
Before diving into how to eliminate termites, you need to confirm you have a genuine termite problem. It’s not always easy to tell. After all, those tiny, winged insects swarming around your home might just be flying ants. Misidentifying the issue could leave your home vulnerable to ongoing damage.
Termites thrive in dark, damp environments, especially areas where wood meets soil. They’re experts at staying hidden, but if you know what to look for, you can catch them before they cause severe damage. Common hiding spots include home foundations, basements, garages, crawl spaces, and wooden structures.
Here’s how to spot the signs of termites:
- Grab a flashlight and a screwdriver. Start tapping on wooden beams, floorboards, support pillars, and even furniture. Termites hollow out wood from the inside, so a hollow or papery sound when you tap indicates a termite infestation.
- Termites are vulnerable to dehydration, so they build protective mud tubes to travel between their nests and food sources. If you spot thin, pencil-like mud tubes running along your foundation, baseboards, or walls, you likely have a termite problem.
- During swarming season, reproductive termites (swarmers) take flight to establish new colonies. After mating, they shed their wings. Finding these tiny, transparent wings around windowsills, doorways, or entry points is a telltale sign of termites setting up shop.
- Termites feeding just below the surface of wood or drywall can cause paint to bubble or look uneven. This subtle clue often goes unnoticed but can be a significant red flag.
- Drywood termites leave behind tiny, pellet-like droppings called frass. These piles of droppings can resemble sawdust and are usually found near infested wood.
- If you find damaged wood that looks hollowed out or has maze-like tunnels, termites are most likely to blame.
Remember, these pests rarely travel alone. Their colonies can contain thousands or even millions of termites, so targeting just one area won’t solve the problem.
How To Get Rid Of Termites With Cardboard Traps
Looking for a budget-friendly way to get rid of termites? Try crafting a simple DIY termite trap using nothing more than cardboard. Termites love wood, so the cellulose found in cardboard makes for the perfect bait to lure them out. It’s cheap, straightforward, and a great first step before you move on to more comprehensive treatments.
Here’s how to make your own termite trap:
- Step 1: Wet a few cardboard boxes until they’re damp. Termites are attracted to moisture, so adding water boosts the cardboard’s appeal.
- Step 2: Place the damp boxes near areas where you’ve spotted signs of termites. Target spots like basements, crawl spaces, or areas near wooden structures.
- Step 3: Keep an eye on the traps. Once you notice termites gathering on the cardboard, carefully remove and destroy the boxes. Burning or disposing of them far away from your property works best.
Keep in mind, this DIY method only kills termites that come into direct contact with the traps. It’s a great way to knock down some of the termite population, but it won’t eliminate the entire infestation. To get rid of termites permanently, you need to address the root of the problem and target all colonies at once.
Get Rid Of Termites Using Essential Oil Sprays
Surprisingly, essential oils can be a powerful tool when it comes to getting rid of termites. Two of the most effective options are orange oil and neem oil.
- Orange Oil: This citrus-derived oil is lethal to termites because it disrupts their ability to feed and lay eggs. It works best for spot treatments and is especially useful for targeting termites in wood.
- Neem Oil: Extracted from the Indian neem tree, neem oil functions as a natural repellent. When termites come into contact with neem oil, it interferes with their ability to grow and reproduce, gradually killing them off.
Here’s how to make your own termite-killing spray:
- Combine 10 drops of orange or neem oil with two cups of water.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to help the oil blend more effectively with the water.
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well before use.
- Spray the solution directly on infested areas, including cracks, crevices, wooden structures, and entry points where termites are likely hiding.
For more severe infestations, it’s best to combine this method with other treatments or call in the professionals.
Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth Around Your Home’s Foundation
If you’re looking for a non-toxic way to get rid of termites, diatomaceous earth (DE) could be your answer. Made from fossilized diatoms, this natural powder destroys termites by damaging their exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die.
To rid your home of existing colonies, sprinkle the sand on all infected areas. Make sure you cover your home’s foundation with a good amount of DE too. This will kill your unwanted tenants and even help prevent future infestations.
Pro Tip: Invest in food-grade diatomaceous earth. It’s the same grade as the DE they use in dietary supplements. This way, you can rest easy knowing that direct exposure to it won’t be harmful!
Keep In Mind The Don’ts Of Dealing With Termites
While there are many ways to get rid of termites, there are also some methods you should avoid entirely.
- Never burn out termite nests: Attempting to smoke or burn termites out of trees or structural wood is both dangerous and ineffective.
- Avoid using chemicals or motor oil: Using household chemicals can be harmful to you and your family while doing little to actually kill termites.
- Don’t ignore the problem: Even if you try to kill termites naturally, neglecting the problem only gives them more time to multiply and spread.
Get Rid Of Termites The Professional Way
Still having trouble even after trying out these DIY methods? In that case, it may be best to turn to professional pest exterminators like us. We have the skills, know-how, and equipment that can rid your home of termites in the fastest, safest way.
Plus, we can make sure you’re not sharing your home with other unwanted guests, like disgusting roaches or disease-carrying rodents.
The key to successful termite control is acting fast. If you’re spotting warning signs like swarms, mud trails, or half-chewed wooden structures, don’t wait. Every moment termites stay in your home, they’re causing more damage.
When DIY methods aren’t cutting it, give us a call. We’ll help you figure out the most effective plan to eliminate termites for good and protect your home from future invasions.
