Termite Infestations

Termites cause roughly $30 billion in damage in the United States each year. Termite infestations require homeowners to repair damaged wood in their homes, and these termite treatment costs quickly add up. Fortunately, there are DIY methods for not just treating but also preventing termite infestations.

The two most common types of termites are drywood and subterranean termites. Both types are destructive to your home and are found in different areas of your property. It is important to identify which type of termite you have before you start your termite treatment.

How to Get Rid of Subterranean Termites

While some termite treatment and removal should often be left to the specialists, understanding the methods they use will help you understand how to kill termites, the best ways to address the problem, and how to prevent it from repeating. Subterranean termites nest underground, so it's best to try and create a barrier under the surface to prevent them from getting to your structure. Here are a few DIY methods that help create that barrier and get rid of termites.

1. Use Liquid Termiticides to Kill Termites

Liquid termiticides that contain active ingredients like Fipronil and Imidicloprid are the best termite killers for creating an invisible barrier around your home and ridding your space of termites. Both of the active ingredients are non-repellent, and termites cannot detect them, which means they will unknowingly ingest them and spread them amongst the termite colony. These treatment methods will give you the generic versions of Termidor SC and are more economical.

The currently available chemical barrier pesticides are designed to last no more than 5-10 years. Termite Monitors and Baits can be used as a companion for controlling subterranean termites or stand-alone treatment methods.

2. Use Baits to Get Rid of Subterranean Termites

Instead of injecting chemicals into the soil, you can also place termite bait directly into the ground around the outside of a structure. The termites will find the bait, feed on it, and die. The technology of baiting systems for termites is continually changing and improving. We currently recommend the Trelona ATBS Termite Bait System.

Baiting colonies of termites is simple and can also be used as a monitoring tool to detect termites when they are not yet a threat to the structure. Termite baits can eliminate and control termites where conditions make the structure, or portions of it, untreatable with soil termiticides (near a water body, for example) or if there is a concern about pesticide use, even in structures where soil treatments have failed.

Bait stations such as Advance Termite Bait Stations can be used to monitor for termites. If termites start feeding on these stations, you can take out the monitoring wood and cartridge and replace them with an active cartridge that contains a poison that will eliminate the termites.

3. Other Methods to Help Get Rid of Subterranean Termites

There are a few methods that can be used in conjunction with the two previously mentioned methods.

Foams and Dusts such as Termidor Foam, Fuse Foam, Premise Foam, and Taurus Dry can be conveniently used for spot treatments and hard-to-reach areas. These these methods leave behind a non-residual chemical that eliminates termites upon contact. We do not recommend these as stand-alone treatments but as an addition to help get rid of your termites. Foams and Dusts can be applied in areas such as:

How To Get Rid of Drywood Termites

Drywood termites can usually be found in humid coastal and subtropical regions such as California, Hawaii, Florida, coastal Texas, and other regions such as the Caribbean. They differ mainly from subterranean termites in where they nest and how they enter the home. They also live in much smaller colonies that range anywhere from 700 to upwards of 3000, which makes them harder to detect.

Drywood termites can be harder to get rid of, so always seek the professional guidance of a pest control company if you are unsure. Some treatment methods include spot treatment, fumigation, and dust.

2. Using Borates and Oils to Get Rid of Drywood Termites

Topical sprays of Borates like Timbor and Bora-care can be used to penetrate infested wood to kill termites. Borate insecticides, once absorbed into the wood, remain effective for the life of the wood. Concentrated citrus oils can also be applied to the wood surface but are much shorter-lived than borates, lasting only a few days after application.

3. Fumigating to Get Rid of Drywood Termites

The most effective treatment for getting rid of termites is a complete fumigation of the structure. This process must be done by a certified operator, and they will cover the entire structure with a fumigation tent and use chemicals such as sulfuryl fluoride(Vikane) or methyl bromide gas. The trouble with this method is that it will put you out of your house for a couple of days, and it only kills on contact. Other than dust treatment, there is no residual in fumigation.

In summary, if you have a large drywood infestation, we highly recommend that you contact your local pest control company.

How To Inspect For Termite Activity, Infestations & Colonies

Termites and flying ants have such a similar appearance that you may mistake one for the other without looking closely. In order to treat your pests efficiently, you must first determine which bug is causing your infestation.

When inspecting your home for a termite infestation, you will need a good flashlight, screwdriver or pocket knife, and coveralls.

Termite damage may be located by probing wood with a screwdriver, ice pick, or knife. Inspection should cover the exterior and interior surfaces of the foundation, particularly construction where wood is on or near the soil.

Start inspection in the basement and use a bright flashlight. Look for mud tubes and the activity of swarmers (winged adult termites). A complete termite treatment would mean locating exposed shelter tubes and damaged wood. Often you will have to crawl into the crawl space under your house to properly inspect for termites.

Generally speaking, Subterranean termites are found at or near ground level. However, in warmer areas of the country, they occasionally occur above the first-floor level.

If necessary, get help from a professional pest control expert.

Termite Droppings

Drywood termite droppings, also known as "frass," are expelled through specially generated kick-out holes. You may spot little piles of wood-colored frass in your inspection area. This process of frass disposal keeps the inside of their tunnel system clean and clutter-free, allowing them to move freely and cause even more termite damage.

How To Prevent Termites

Treating to prevent termites is typically less error-prone for the average homeowner than treating an active termite infestation. There are professional termiticides and termite bait systems available to assist with the treatment process that will help prevent future infestations.

You can keep termites away for good if you take the proper precautions and continue to maintain your home's exterior. To keep termites at bay, get your home evaluated by a specialist on a regular basis, and follow the tips listed below:

1. Reduce moisture around the foundation

2. Fix Leaks

3. Screen Vents and Holes

1. Reduce moisture around the foundation

Termites like damp soil, so it's important to cut back or eliminate dense vegetation growing against the siding and foundation. Thick shrubs and vegetation can trap moisture as well as make termite inspection difficult.

To keep termites out of your house, make sure gutters and downspouts are in good shape and that they drain water away from the foundation of your home.

2. Fix Leaks

Leaks lead to damp and rotting wood, a perfect place for termites to nest. A critical step in termite treatment is to fix any plumbing or appliance leaks in your home. This will reduce the chance of humidity in crawl spaces and prevent wood in your home from rotting.

3. Screen Vents and Holes

Termite-resistant steel screens should be used to cover holes on the outside of your house, such as vents. This will allow for airflow while keeping pests from having easy access.

Special Considerations for Drywood Termites

If drywood termites are common in your area, they can enter through tiny cracks. Inspect and seal as many cracks and crevices in your structure as you can find. Pay particular attention to trim boards around doors and windows.

Make sure that the exterior paint on your house is not cracked or peeling. Unpainted or unstained wood can be treated with Boracare.

Drywood Termite Treatment Precaution:

Most drywood termite infestations will need assistance from a trained professional, specifically, relating to those living in the Southeast or on the West Coast.

Doing your own termite work, i.e., applying chemicals for termites, is not for everyone. If you do decide to perform termite treatment yourself, be sure to follow our guide above to ensure your home is free from a termite infestation.

FAQs About Termite Control

What are the first signs of a termite infestation?

The first signs include visible mud tubes on exterior walls, wood that sounds hollow when tapped, crumbling or damaged wood, and the presence of swarmer termites or discarded wings near windows and doors.

Can termites be eradicated without professional help?

Yes, mild termite infestations can sometimes be managed with DIY methods, such as bait stations, direct chemical treatments, and natural deterrents, but severe cases often require professional pest control services.

What are the most effective natural remedies for termite control?

Natural remedies include applying neem oil, diatomaceous earth, or introducing beneficial nematodes into the soil around your home to target and kill termites without using harsh chemicals.

How often should termite inspections be conducted?

Professional termite inspections should be conducted at least once every one to three years, depending on the area's risk level and previous termite activity. Homeowners should also regularly check their property for signs of termites.

What is the cost of professional termite treatment?

The cost varies widely depending on the infestation's extent, treatment type, and property size, typically ranging from $500 to $2,500 for localized treatments and up to $8,000 for more extensive treatments like fumigation.