We’re sure we’re not alone when we say this: termite infestation is every homeowner’s nightmare. And that’s not an exaggeration, mind you; these little critters – tiny as they are – are more than capable of causing some real property damage to your home. Not to mention, with all that material damage comes the stress and time-consuming grievances you will definitely have once these wood pests have had their way. Fear not, though, there are several home remedies for termites that you can consider applying to protect your home (we strongly advise you to take a look at our main guide here first).
How do they get in your house in the first place?
Ah, the age-old question: where are all these termites coming from? Your house is always clean and tidy; you’re in an urban or suburban neighborhood, and there’s no visible sign of any termite colonies near you. But the thing is that termites are experts when it comes to covertly infiltrating your household. Sure, you don’t see one of their telltale mounds around, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t burrowed from underneath your house, creating tunnels from which they can go in and out of your abode to – well, let’s not mince words here – feast on your floorboards and such!
Don’t worry, though, because there’s a way for you to detect if these ‘mites are making moves on your house. Check them out below:
• Check your wall’s paint. If you notice that sections of it have started to form bubbles or cracks, then it’s a sign that something underneath it must be digging – or in this case, eating – the wooden interior.
But what if you don’t have any paint on your walls? Let’s say you have wallpaper. What then?
• In cases where the first sign is inapplicable, just check the wooden parts of your house (floorboards, walls, even doors, and furniture) and give them a little tap or flick. If they give off a hollow sound, like there’s an echo coming from the other side, then it’s a clear sign that the interior fibers of these wooden parts have been damaged.
Homemade termite terminators for your convenience
Now that you’ve determined that there’s a termite infestation going on in your home let’s move on to how you can conduct the proper homemade treatment to save your property. Of course, it’s always a great idea to get professional exterminators onboard, but we understand that there are instances where this is not an option for a variety of options. As such, allow us to show you some of the top home remedies for termites you should know about.
1. Use Solar Power!
Much like vampires, sunlight is the bane of termites considering their bodies cannot handle its ultraviolet rays. Now, this solution is most suitable for furniture that you can move around, and it’s pretty straightforward: take that piece of furniture that’s experiencing ‘mite infestation and just leave it out in the sun anywhere between three and five days.
2. The Box Trap
Looking for an easy and affordable way to get rid of those termites? Then look no further than the box trap. You see, apart from wood – which by the way is the same thing cardboard is made from – termites love damp spaces. So what you’re going to need to do here is get a cardboard box that you can open and close, moisten its interior with water, and then just leave it right beside the area of your house you think is being infested by termites. In a day or two, you’ll notice those ‘mites consuming that damp cardboard box you left, at which point you should just get rid of it to avoid any further infestation.
3. Try some neem oil!
If you’re looking to get rid of those termites from your home’s tight spots and corners, there’s always neem oil. Now, a bit of a disclaimer: neem oil requires several applications to maximize its effect. You see, it inhibits insects’ – termites included – growth and reproductive processes, which then causes them to die. As such, you have to make sure that any given area of your house that’s being infested is always doused with neem oil. To do it, apply it with cotton liberally at any infested spot on your home. You might need to do this a couple of times a day for about a week.
4. Orange Oil = Instant Termite Killer
And since we’re on the topic of natural home remedies against termite infestations, no list would be complete without mentioning the wonders of orange oil. You apply it the same way as neem oil: using a piece of cotton and spreading it liberally throughout the infested area. Even better, though, is that orange oil kills termites faster due to its high D-Limonene content – a natural termite killer. On the downside, orange oil is pricier compared to neem oil. So, just choose whichever you’re more comfortable with.
5. Salt Solution!
We cannot stress this enough: salt is one of the most underrated household items around. Not only does it give your food flavor and provide some relief from toothaches when you gargle with it and water, but it also is one of the simplest and most effective termite killers around. What you’ll need here is a 50-50 solution of water and table salt. Just mix those two ingredients until the salt’s completely dissolved and you have your solution. Now, for the tricky part: go and grab a syringe and look for any holes or entry points the termites use in areas of your house you think are infested. Once you do find them, use the syringe to blow out some water into those holes and not just kill those termites, but render those areas uninhabitable for those insects. Yes, it’s tricky, but believe us when we say it is well worth the effort!
Of course, it’s always best if you can get some professional help to get rid of these pesky insects. As we have mentioned before in our termite guide, home remedies may get rid of termites initially, but they will eventually just go around it. If budget is not a problem, it is highly recommended to hire a pest control professional as you don’t want to make the problem worse and potentially cost you more.
