If you love to keep beautiful wooden furniture at home, then termites are by far your greatest enemies. These are the one of the intrusive insects that love to feast on wooden materials. They can destroy any of your wooden furniture by eating the wood away. The queen of the termites lay hundreds of eggs a day and so their number increases on a rapid speed, that in fact should be a great cause of concern for all of us. Now, the easiest way to get rid of the termites is by using chemical based anti-termites solutions that we get from market. But we all know that the chemicals that can kill the termites may also affect our health severely. So, it is best to avoid the short cut route and go for the natural ways. Natural remedies are very safe and also effective to get rid of the irritating termites. In fact, I have got few requests from my readers to write on this topic and so today I will be sharing you tips on how to get rid of termites without chemicals. So, if you are the one who prefer going the natural way to get rid of termites, then keep reading this post and discover the DIY pest control tips to get rid of termites without chemicals.
There is no doubt that termites can be disastrous and irritating. None of us love to see our favorite wooden furniture getting damaged at the hands of these creepy creatures.
Moreover, termites are very disgusting to look at. I personally feel very sick at their sight. But, no matter how disgusted you are with them, using chemicals to get rid of termites is a complete no-no. The other day I was going through an article which showed the harmful effects of such chemical products on humans. Some effects might be instant like breathing trouble or skin allergies etc but some may develop long term deadly consequences.
And studies are a proof of that. So, it is always safe to use natural techniques to get rid of the termites. And if you a DO-it-yourself kind of a person then these DIY pest control tricks to get rid of termites without chemicals can certainly help you kill termites easily.
I am sure you would like to know about these pest control tips and so, without wasting much time, let’s start the discussion on the natural ways to get rid of termites without chemicals.
But before that, I just want to brief you about the various types of termites that you might get to see at your home. Knowing a little about termites would help you identify them faster and eventually get rid of termites on your own, without using chemicals.
Common types of termites
There are various types of termites and you may get confused while identifying them. So, for your better understanding, here are the different types of termites that you generally get to see around.
Dampwood termites
Conehead termites
Formosan termites
Drywood termites
Subterranean termites
Now, that you know the types, hopefully you will not have problems identifying them. So, now let us begin with the essential tips on how to get rid of termites without chemicals.
DIY pest control tips to get rid of termites without chemicals
The problem of termites has become very common nowadays with almost every household facing the termite infestation issue. So, if you have to protect your wooden furniture and your home, you have to get rid of the termites. Now, since chemicals are harmful, it is safe to opt for natural ways to eradicate termites and here are the best DIY pest control tips that’ll help you to get rid of termites without chemicals.
Get rid of the excess moisture
Needless to say that most of the insects and germs thrive on damp humid environment with lot of moisture in it and termites are no exception. They multiply in huge numbers when there is lot of moisture inside your home. So, if you have to get rid of them, the primary thing that you must do is to get rid of the moisture from your home.
Try to keep your home as airy and fresh as possible. The indoor air must be dry and so it is essential that you open your doors and windows for some time each day. You must also keep an eye on the perimeter of your building and make sure there is no water leakage or water pool that is coming in contact with the foundation of your building.
Exposure to sunlight is important
While these creepy termites thrive in moist condition, sunlight is an enemy to them. Therefore, you may take out techniques to expose the termites directly to the sunlight. They will die soon and you will be free of them.
So, if you can locate the termite hive, then try to expose the area to as much sunlight as possible. In fact, if you can dig the area and expose the colony to the heat of the sun, that would be even better. And, in case of the termites inside your wooden furniture, try to place the items outdoors for sometime in the strong sunlight and let the strong UV rays kill them naturally.
Use cardboard traps to remove termites
One of the most effective and the natural tips on how to get rid of termites without using chemicals is by using cardboard traps. This is because card boards contain cellulose which gives off woody smell that in turn attracts the termites. You may make the smell stronger by straying a bit of water. The termites will find the aroma irresistible and they will soon gather there in huge numbers.Now, wait till almost the whole colony gathers there. After that, collect them and kill them by burning.
Use neem oil to kill the termites
If you are looking for a method to kill the termites without harming yourself, then the usage of neem oil is a great solution for you. Although it is a slow process but it gives efficient results. It does not let the termites to develop, eventually leading to their death. In fact, if you can directly expose the termites to the neem oil, it will also restrict their ability to eat or lay eggs.
For that, you can apply the neem oil on the affected wooden portions using a cotton ball. Wait till the termites absorb the oil and die after that.
Use white vinegar to kill the termites
White vinegar has already made its own name as far as natural cleaning is concerned and now you can use it to get rid of the termites as well. In fact, if you mix adequate lemon juice with it, the results will be doubled and you can enjoy a termite-free home soon.
You need to take little white vinegar around half a cupin a spray bottle and then mix the extracted juice of 2 lemons. After that, spray the solution on the infected or the suspected areas. Continue doing this daily so the termites run away or die.
Mixture of salt and water works great
Another natural tip on how to get rid of termites without using chemicals is by using the mixture of salt and water. This is a very easy method as the salty water is effective in killing the termites. So, to use this remedy, you simply have to mix salt with water properly and then put the solution in a syringe. After that, inject it on the entry points of the termites or pour it into their hives. Continue this process daily for several days and see the benefits for yourself.
Orange oil can kill the termites
This is a great remedy to kill the termites especially the drywood termites. The main reason behind it is the presence of the d-limonene compound which dissolves in the exoskeleton of the termites and breaks their cell membranes which eventually leads to the death of the termites due to lack of protein and water.
To get the maximum benefits, simply apply it on the infected wooden surfaces frequently. You may also dig some tiny holes in the wood and inject the orange oil inside them for best results.
Use borates to get rid of the termites
Borax or sodium borate is very effective in eliminating the termites and so if it is already present in your home, then use it to kill the termites. Borax will harm the nervous system of the termites and then dehydrate them. So, if you find the infested area, you can cover it with borax powder for a week and kill all of them.
You may also try the other method. Put the borax powder in hot water and mix the ingredients well. Now, pour it in a spray bottle and use it to spray the solution in the wooden surfaces (to not let the termites feed on the woods) or in the hives of the termites.
Soapy water kills the termites
One of the other natural tips on how to get rid of termites without chemicals is by using soapy water. Soapy water actually forms a solid seal on the outer shell of the termites that affects the respiratory system of termites and makes them die. For that, take a spray bottle and add liquid dish soap and water into it. Mix the ingredients well and then spray the solution to the infected portions till you get rid of all of them.
Use cayenne pepper to get rid of termites
Cayenne pepper is a very useful ingredient and you can use it to get rid of the termites from your home. It will kill the termites effectively and free you of the problem.
There are two ways in which you can use cayenne pepper. In one such method, you simply have to take some cayenne pepper powder and sprinkle it on the infected places. Continue it until the termites die. Alternatively, you can mix the cayenne pepper with some light vegetable oil. Then make a good paste and apply it on the vertical spots. Do this daily until the termites disappear.
Use the freezing technique
The freezing technique may not be that effective for large wooden furniture, but if the wooden piece is small in size then you can definitely apply the freezing technique. Firstly, take a sealable garbage bag and put the small wooden piece inside it. Now, put the bag inside the freezer for 2 weeks and then take it out. Now, keep the bag in the room temperature for the next two days.
This is a very good natural remedy, so try it and let the termites not bother you anymore.
Essential tips to get rid of termites – easily on your own
The above mentioned natural tips on how to get rid of termites without chemicals is very useful. But, at the same time, you have to look into few other things as well to get rid of them fully. So, here are the top 7 tips to get rid of termites.
Try to throw every source of food for the termites away from your home.
Keep an eye and check the signs of termites inside or around your home on frequent basis so that you can take early action to kill them and not let them grow in numbers.
If you see any branch of tree touching your home, then immediately cut the branch as that may act as the route for the termites to enter your home. Also, remove the dead plant products away from your residence.
Try to fill every hole or crack in your building using mortar to not allow the termites to live there.
Remove the tree branches, tree stumps or any other wooden debris away from your home.
Maintain the small trees, shrubs and the bushes well.
Avoid storing firewood or other lumber nearby your home.
Unless the termite infestation is severe, you can easily get rid of it using the tips and hacks we have discussed above. But if for some reason, you are unable to apply these pest control hacks on your own, you should call a professional pest exterminator, who has the expertise in termite treatment. We can help you no get obligation estimates for termite treatment from top pest exterminator in your city for free.
Over to you
Termites are very disgusting insects, the sight of which makes most of us feel sick. Not only are they ugly to look at but they can damage your favourite wooden furniture at no time. So, whenever you see them around your home, you must take it as an alert sign and start finding where are they coming from. Once you track that, try to get rid of them as soon as possible because once they grow too much in number, it would get more problematic for you.
While using the chemical products seem an easy solution for many but that is not a very wise thing to do considering the health issues for yourself and for your family members. So, the best option is to use natural ways to deal with the problem. Here, in my today’s article I have already shared some interesting tips on how to get rid of termites without chemicals. I personally have used them and most of them have shown very quick and effective results. So, if you are also facing such problem, just give these techniques a try and see which one proves to be most effective for you.
Frankly speaking, all of them are good but I will still be waiting for you to share your feedbacks on them. You may also suggest other tips on how to get rid of termites without chemicals. I would happily include it in my list.
Until then, stay safe and drive the termites out of your home.
There is no doubt that termites can be disastrous and irritating. None of us love to see our favorite wooden furniture getting damaged at the hands of these creepy creatures.
