9 Ways to Kill Termites Naturally That Actually Work

If you are a lover of wood furniture, wooden support beams, or wooden anything, you might be in search of a weapon to fend off your worst enemy. The Termite.

A lot of products promise complete destruction of these pests but leave you disappointed time and time again with a fresh wave of enemies to fend off. If you are looking to bypass the store-bought products and take on the task on your own, here are some ways to get rid of termites naturally using tips that will actually work.   

• Boric Acid 
• Cayenne Pepper
• Cardboard Bait System 
• Nematodes
• Diatomaceous Earth
• White Vinegar 
• Neem Oil
• Orange Oil
• Salt 

Now that you have an idea of what your options are to get rid of termites naturally, let’s examine each one in more detail.

1. Exterminating Termites With Boric Acid

If you’re looking for ideas on how to get rid of termites naturally, Boric Acid is a great start. Boric Acid is a natural pesticide and wood preservative and doesn’t actually kill termites on contact. When termites or anay taste the boric acid off of themselves and digest it, the acid prevents them from being able to pull nutrients from whatever they are eating, no matter how much they eat.

This type of acid usually comes in powder form and can be sprayed as it comes or can be diluted using water. It’s a good idea to wear a mask and goggles when using and to be extra careful around children.

This type of acid is of better use outside, but If you do want to use it inside, just add one teaspoon of the acid to one cup of water that is warm in a spray bottle. Just shake up the bottle until the mixture is dissolved and use it where needed. Use this method for around a week and then look around for signs of its effect on the treated areas.

2. Exterminating Termites With Cayenne Pepper

While Cayenne Pepper adds a nice kick to your family pot of chili, it can also be a termite’s worst nightmare. Capsaicin is an active chemical in cayenne pepper that makes it really hot and spicy. This chemical will also kill termites naturally by severely damaging their nervous systems. Cayenne pepper is a great organic pest control to eliminate termites.

For small areas that have termite problems, try just sprinkling the pepper quite generously in the desired area and repeat until you find all of the termites have been eliminated.

Another option is to create a kind of paste by mixing vegetable oil with the pepper and applying it to any spot that is infested for a few days. Use this method for around 4-5 days and then check to see how well the mixture has been effective.

3. Exterminating Termites With A Cardboard Bait System 

Creating a bait system using natural means can be a great option for eliminating your termite problem.

There are many options available for creating bait systems, but one simple method is to use cardboard. Place the cardboard in the most infected areas, and wait for them to infest the cardboard. After a while, take the cardboard out and burn it, destroying the termites trapped inside.

This is not a one-time fix, so be sure and try this method multiple times. We recommend that you couple this method with some sort of poison treatment provided by a professional.

4. Exterminating Termites With Nematodes

Nematodes (Or roundworms) are not really related to true worms and are so tiny, you can’t see them with the naked eye. These types of worms can fight against a lot of pest species, including termites. Nematodes attack and kill their prey by injecting bacteria that is deadly or entering the host, parasitizing, and then feeding on it.

The benefit of these worms is that they are not destructive to wood and are not dangerous for people or their pets and die after the job is done.

To use, very carefully mix the worms into a large bucket of water and blend them gently to get a nice even blend. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it onto the infected area. The water will sink into the wood and spread the nematodes. One spray a day should do the trick.

Make sure you do proper research before taking this route to get rid of termites. There are different types of nematodes for different kinds of pests.

5. Exterminating Termites With Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is a type of sand that is unique because it is made up of fossilized algae. It has a lot of different uses including various health benefits. Another lesser-known use of this sand is to kill termites.

For humans, this sand is harmless, but to pests, it is quite dangerous. Diatomaceous earth has really razor-sharp particles because the diatoms that make up this substance has really sharp edges.

These edges actually cut through the pest’s outer layer when they come in contact, which allows moisture to escape from its body. The DE insecticides have absorptive capabilities and draw all of the moisture. Because of an insect’s delicate water balance, it is not able to survive.

This material can be spread both indoors, outdoors, and even into food.

6. Exterminating Termites With White Vinegar 

Another successful method to kill termites is the use of white vinegar.

All you have to do is combine the juice of two lemons with a half cup of vinegar. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle. Doing this will be the easiest method for spreading it over the infected areas. Spray this combination into the mud holes that are entrances or onto the actual mounds that you see.

Another good area to distribute this mixture onto is any wooden structures, fences, or any nooks/corners that these pests might get into. If done correctly, this concoction will sink deep into the crevasses and grooves to kill the termites.

Repeat the process of spraying this mixture for a few days and then check to see if it has been successful.

7. Exterminating Termites With Neem Oil

Neem oil is taken from the seeds and fruits of an evergreen tree that comes from the Indian subcontinent. Neem oil has been a great form of pest control for hundreds of years.

This oil interrupts the cycle of the reproductive system of insects. Once a termite eats the oil, it changes the hormonal system of the insect. This makes the termite forget to eat food and mating. This prevents ultimately the laying of eggs, which stops the termites from spreading because the older ones die. This special substance also gives off a smell that termites don’t like, which protects the areas that have been treated.

You can make your own mixture by first purchasing raw or crude neem oil. After you have it, you will need to emulsify the oil using a mild liquid soap. Mix 5 ml neem oil, 2 ml of liquid soap, and 1 liter of water. Make sure you add the soap first and then stir in the neem oil. Once this is completed, just pour the combination into a spray bottle, and use it as needed.

Make sure you use this mixture soon after you make it because the ingredients start to break down after about 8 hours. (Consult a doctor if you are wanting to use this mixture while pregnant.)

8. Exterminating Termites With Orange Oil

If you’re still looking wondering “How to get rid of termites?” Orange Oil could be your solution. This type of termite killer comes from orange rinds is a great option because it is low in toxicity. This ingredient has D-limonene which doesn’t harm humans or pets, making this option ideal for the task of killing termites.

Using orange oil does the most damage to termites in the beginning stages of infestation, not after they have fully invaded. This method only works locally, which means it is only effective in the places where the oil has been administered. You may need to drill holes and apply the oil into the infested areas or mud tubes. You may have to do this serval times and in several places for this to take a noticeable effect.

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.

9. Exterminating Termites With Salt 

While salt seems relatively harmless, it can strike fear into the hearts of the bravest termites. Concentrated amounts of salt will kill termites by causing them to get dehydrated and die.

All you have to do is combine salt and warm water in a normal quart jar and mix it up until you have a nice even mixture. The more salt, the better.

Fill a standard syringe with this salty/water mixture and squirt it directly into any entry or exit points you have discovered. After you have administered the mixture to the main spots of infestation, use it preventatively by spreading it around your house or any places of major concern.

This method probably won’t kill all of the termites, but will definitely be a good option preventatively or with a smaller termite infestation.

Related Questions

What is the fastest way to get rid of termites naturally?

In order to get rid of termites quickly, you have to get rid of their queen. Stock up on some food-grade diatomaceous earth! This stuff is cheap, effective, and fast acting. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) can get rid of termites quickly, but it does take a little work on your part or you could hire pest control to help out. You cannot just sprinkle this stuff around and expect the termites to get rid of themselves.

If you get rid of the queen termite, then you get rid of the whole colony. If you can find their queen and sprinkle it with diatomaceous earth you will be well on your way to killing the whole colony. When using food-grade DE, you get the added benefit of being able to get rid of termites naturally and safely.

Can I get rid of termites myself without a pest control company?

Yes, you can get rid of termites without a pest control company. However, it is important to know that the method of treatment for getting rid of termite infestation at home that works for one person might not work for another.

What works to get rid of highly destructive invasive Formosan termites in California will not necessarily get rid of lesser termite infestations in Florida or get rid of dry wood termites in Arizona. There are different types get rid of pests and each home is unique in its construction which can make it difficult to get rid of termites without a pest control company. So, if you have an infestation underground, you will most likely need to resort to alternative means of extermination.

In Closing

Remember that with most of these, you might need to try consistent and regular usage of the mixture to see a continual and effective change to the infested areas. It is also a good idea to do proper termite inspections of your property to make sure you know which of these options is the best fit for your situation. Some substances will work better with certain types of termites.

There are many more natural solutions for your termite problems out there that are easy to implement and use, but these were some of our favorites! We wish you the best in your search for natural and organic extermination solutions for termites.