17 Natural Ways to Get rid of Termites [Home Remedies to Kill Termites]
Termites are one of the most destructive insects. They chew through wood and make large tunnels, and ultimately leave the wood hollow from the inside out! This can be absolutely devastating for houses that are made with primarily wood.
Even if your house isn’t made of wood, termites can eat through furniture, firewood, fences, tree branches, and anything and everything made of wood. So it is safe to assume that none of us wants a termite infestation.
Luckily, if caught early, it’s relatively easy to get rid of termites and stop them from damaging your household. That being said, if the damage is extensive, professional help from exterminators is recommended. We will look at some of the natural and easy ways to get rid of termites.
17 Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Termites Naturally
1. Beneficial Nematodes
One of the most effective ways to get rid of termites from your house is to use nematodes. These are very small parasites that can kill termites and destroy their colony in no time.
These microscopic parasites usually come in the form of a gel that you can purchase from your local gardening store. This method is generally recommended for outdoor use.
Required Material:
- Beneficial nematodes
- Water
Step by Step Process:
- Follow the package instructions and mix the gel containing the nematodes into the appropriate amount of water.
- You can simply spread this water along with the areas that are affected. If you cannot directly pour the solution, you can use a pipette or a syringe to inject the solution into the affected areas.
- The nematodes will get to start immediately as soon as they find the termites. Within 2 to 3 days, you’ll start to see change.
- The nematodes will continue working as long as they have termites to feed on.
Precautions:
This method may not be suitable for treating termites inside your house or on furniture.
2. Borax
Borax is a common chemical that is usually used for laundry, but it is a great treatment for termites as well. Borax is toxic to termites, so as soon as they come in contact with the chemical, they will die. This is a great method for getting rid of termites from both inside and outside your house.
Required Material:
- Borax Powder
- Water
- Pipette or spray bottle
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20 Mule Team Borax Natural Laundry Booster 65 Ounce pack of 2 | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Heat up a gallon of water to the boiling point. Then remove the water from the stove and let it cool for a minute.
- Add 1 ½ cup of borax powder into the water and mix thoroughly until the powder is dissolved.
- Now you can transfer the mixture into a spray bottle or use a smaller quantity in a pipette to apply to the affected areas.
- You can pour it directly onto a pile of wood that is affected, or you can also pour small quantities by spraying or injecting the solution into furniture, walls, or anything else that is affected.
- Within a day or two, you’ll see that most of the termites are dead.
- Continue the treatment for a few days until all the termites have died.
- Alternatively, you can also pour borax powder directly into the affected areas if you’re not able to get the surface wet.
Precautions:
Do not dilute this solution by accident, because a lower concentration of borax will not be enough to kill the termites.
3. Cornmeal and Borax trap
Cornmeal contains a high level of cellulose that termites love to feed on. This means it’s the perfect bait to be used along with borax powder, which is toxic to termites. When termites eat borax powder, they die within a day or two.
This is a very effective way to get rid of termites from your house as well as outside. However, it will only work well if you have a small termite infestation.
Required Material:
- Cornmeal
- Borax powder
- Water
Photo | Product | Buy |
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Bob's Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal, 24 Oz | Check Price On Amazon |
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20 Mule Team Borax Natural Laundry Booster 65 Ounce pack of 2 | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Mix a cup of cornmeal with half a cup of water. Add two tablespoons of borax powder into it.
- Mix it well and you’re ready to use it to kill termites.
- Identify the areas affected by termites. Lay out your cornmeal trap near it.
- Within a few hours you’ll see that the termites have gathered around the cornmeal. After a day or two they will die.
- You may have to repeat the process a few times to get rid of all the termites.
Precautions:
This method is only effective for small colonies of termites, bigger colonies will require more aggressive methods.
4. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder that is completely safe for humans but deadly for soft-bodied insects like termites.
When this powder is sprayed onto termites, their exoskeleton gets pierced by the microscopic sharp pieces of the diatoms that make up the powder. This causes them to dehydrate and die. This is a great method for both inside and outside termite treatment since no water is required.
Required Material:
- Diatomaceous earth powder
- Applicator
Photo | Product | Buy |
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Earthborn Elements Diatomaceous Earth (1 Gallon), Resealable Bucket, Pure Freshwater Amorphous Silica | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Find all the termite-affected areas in your home first.
- Use the applicator to sprinkle diatomaceous earth powder inside and outside of all the affected areas. Ensure that the powder is reaching inside, where the termites are living.
- Within a day or two most termites will die, but if you continue seeing termites, reapply the powder in the affected areas until all the termites are dead.
Precautions:
In order for the powder to work, it must come in contact with the termites, so it’s not a good solution for extreme termite infestation.
5. Cardboard trap
Termites eat wood, which means they also love cardboard which is primarily made of cellulose. It is very easy to use cardboard as bait to catch the termites and to kill them.
This method is great for all types of termite infestation since it does not rely on treating the wood itself but catching and eliminating the insects. However, there is no guarantee that all termites can be eliminated in this way, so only mild infestations can be controlled by this method.
Required Material:
- Cardboard
- Water
- Lighter fuel
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Ronson 12 Ounces Ronsonol Lighter Fuel (Pack of 2) | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Soak a piece of cardboard in water and lay it out in an area nearby the termite-affected area. You can use multiple cardboards in different areas as well.
- Soon you’ll see that the termites have migrated towards the cardboard and have started eating it.
- Once you’ve got enough termites on the cardboard, pick it up carefully and place it on an empty concrete surface.
- Pour a small amount of lighter fuel on the cardboard and light it on fire. Allow the termites to burn.
- Repeat this process every 3 to 4 days to get rid of most of the termites. You may also have to use additional precaution methods to ensure that they don’t come back.
Precautions:
Be extremely careful with lighter fuel and fire since they can easily cause an accident.
6. Alcohol Spray
Although not commonly used, alcohol is a great way to kill termites. It is poisonous to them and when sprayed directly onto them, these insects die instantly. The reason why it’s not commonly used is that it has to be directly sprayed onto them.
Since alcohol evaporates very quickly, it’s not possible to use it as a poison unless you can see the termites right in front of you.
That being said, it’s a very effective solution and it works very fast. We recommend using this method only in areas that are away from any electrical equipment or gas stoves, etc since it is a highly flammable material.
Required Material:
- 90% or higher concentration rubbing alcohol.
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Amazon Basics 91% Isopropyl Alcohol First Aid Antiseptic Liquid, Unflavored, 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 6) (Previously Solimo) | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Find all the areas affected by termites and look for clusters or swarms of termites.
- Spray the alcohol directly on the swarm of termites quite heavily, you’ll see them die instantly.
- Repeat this process until all the termites are dead. You may have to come back a few times to eradicate the whole colony.
Precautions:
Keep the alcohol away from any open flames, electrical equipment, and hot surfaces, since it is a highly flammable material.
7. Freezing Method
The freezing method uses liquid nitrogen to instantly kill the termites. Liquid nitrogen is non-toxic to humans, so with proper precaution, it’s a very safe method all around.
This is a very effective method and you will not need to do multiple treatments. You can get liquid nitrogen from any chemical store.
Required Material:
- Liquid Nitrogen
- Glass pipette
Step by Step Process:
- Always wear protective gear, such as gloves, masks and eye protection before handling liquid nitrogen.
- For termites in your furniture, use a glass pipette to pour the liquid nitrogen in the affected areas.
- For the areas of your house, first drill some holes in the affected areas to reach the nest of the termites.
- Use the glass pipette to pour liquid nitrogen into the holes to freeze all the termites and their eggs.
- You may have to drill a few holes to ensure that the entire colony can be killed.
Precautions:
You must reach the entire colony to ensure all of them are dead.
8. Orange Oil
Orange oil contains D-limonene, which breaks down the exoskeleton of termites, killing them immediately. This is why it’s a very effective treatment for termites.
This method only works for dry wood termites and not subterranean termites, so it is important to confirm first that the type of termite in your home is the dry wood kind.
Required Material:
- Orange oil
- Syringe
- Drills
Photo | Product | Buy |
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Green Gobbler Cold Pressed Concentrated Orange Oil for Home and Outdoor Multi-Purpose Cleaning- Hundreds of Uses - 32 oz (2 PACK) | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Identify the infested areas in your house, whether it is the walls, floor, furniture, patio, etc.
- Drill small holes in the affected areas to reach the nest of the termites. You may have to drill several small holes.
- Use a syringe to inject the orange oil directly into the wood, making sure that it is reaching the termite colony.
- The termites will die very quickly, within a day or two. The eggs will also be destroyed. You may have to do it a second time to make sure that all the termites have died.
- After you’re sure that the termites have died, you can go ahead and repair your walls again.
Precautions:
Make sure that the termites in your home are dry wood termites since subterranean termites will not die from orange oil treatment.
9. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a common pesticide used by organic farmers and gardeners. It is also toxic to termites and they will die once they ingest it.
You can easily make a neem oil spray at home to kill the termites. This method is also great for treating termite-infested furniture since it does not require you to reach the nest of the termites.
Required Material:
- Neem oil
- Water
- Dish Soap
Step by Step Process:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap to 1/4th of a gallon of water. Mix thoroughly.
- Now add 1 cup of neem oil to the water. Since the mixture cannot be homogenized, you must shake it well before each use.
- Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle or use a pipette to apply it directly to the affected wood. It may take a day or two to work.
- To ensure that all the termites have died, you can repeat the process a few times.
Precautions:
Do not dilute the solution any further, because then it may not work as effectively.
10. Garlic Oil
Garlic Oil is another popular DIY method for getting rid of termites. It’s worth noting that essential oils only work for a small colony of termites. Garlic oil is also great for keeping termites away from your home. Making a garlic oil spray is very easy and you can easily store it for multiple uses.
Required Material:
Step by Step Process:
- Mix ½ cup of witch hazel with ½ cup of water.
- Add 2 teaspoons of garlic oil into the mixture and mix thoroughly.
- You can use a spray bottle to spray directly on to termites or you can use a pipette to inject the mixture into the nest of the termites.
- If the termites are outside your house and they are affecting the soil around your house, you can pour the mixture directly in the affected areas.
Precautions:
Garlic oil can be irritating to the eyes and your nose, so be cautious while using it.
11. Clove Oil
Clove oil is a very potent oil that can be used for killing and repelling many different types of insects including termites.
You can use it as a spray to repel termites from your home, as well as to kill them. You can easily find clove oil in stores and online. The best part is that it will make your house smell good.
Required Material:
- Clove oil
- Witch hazel
- Water
Step by Step Process:
- In a spray bottle add ½ cup of water with ½ cup of witch hazel.
- Add 3 to 4 teaspoons of clove oil depending upon your preferred strength.
- Shake the bottle well before use. You can also store the mixture if you want.
- Spray it on any affected areas around your house or furniture. You can also use a pipette to pour the liquid inside the nest of the termites if possible.
- Additionally, you can also spray it around the perimeter of your house to prevent termites from climbing inside.
Precautions:
Clove oil can irritate your eyes, and nose so be cautious while using it.
12. White Vinegar
White vinegar is a great household insecticide that can be used for termites as well. This method is only effective when sprayed directly on the termites. Hence, you can use bait to catch them first similar to the cardboard trap, then spray the vinegar to kill them.
Required Material:
- White vinegar
- Lemons
- Spray bottle
- Cardboard (optional)
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Heinz White Vinegar Distilled 1.32 gallons (169 oz) | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with the juice of two lemons.
- Transfer this mixture into a spray bottle and you’re ready to use it.
- Spray directly on any termites you can find around your house.
- You can also put out a piece of wet cardboard as bait for the termites to come out and feed on it. When they do, you can spray the vinegar mixture on it to kill a large number of termites at once.
Precautions:
Do not accidentally spray this mixture in your eyes or nose, because it can cause irritation and burns.
13. Cayenne Pepper Spray
Cayenne peppers contain a chemical called capsaicin, which is what gives the pepper its heat. This chemical can also help kill termites as it severely damages their nervous system.
It is quite easy to make a cayenne pepper spray, but you can also just sprinkle cayenne pepper directly into the nest of the termites.
Required Material:
- Cayenne pepper powder
- Water (optional)
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![]() |
365 by Whole Foods Market, Pepper Cayenne Organic, 1.69 Ounce | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Sprinkle cayenne pepper directly on to the affected areas.
- Alternatively, you can mix 1 part cayenne pepper powder with 2 parts water to create a concentrated cayenne pepper solution, which you can then pour into the termite nest using a pipette.
- Keep repeating the process for a few days until all the termites have died.
Precautions:
Cayenne pepper can cause a burning sensation in your eyes and nose or any other sensitive area on your body, so always be cautious while using it.
14. Aloe Vera Gel
If you have a small amount of termites attacking your house, aloe vera gel is a good way to trap them and get rid of them.
It is important to note that aloe vera does not kill termites, but the sticky consistency of the gel makes it impossible for the termites to walk or fly freely, thus trapping them.
Required Material:
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Water (optional)
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![]() |
Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel - Cool Blue - 20 Ounce | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- You can use aloe vera gel directly or you can mix a bit of water to turn it into a more liquid consistency.
- If you want to mix in some water, only add a few teaspoons of water at a time until it has a fluid texture. Ensure that the liquid maintains a gel-like texture when touched.
- Inject some aloe vera gel directly into the area that has been affected by termites. You can also simply smear some of the gel around the affected area.
- When the termites walk over the gel, they will get caught in it and eventually die of suffocation.
Precautions:
Aloe vera gel can hold water very well, which can lead to wood damage, so use this method sparingly.
15. Table Salt
Table salt may seem quite harmless, but when used in the correct concentration, it can easily kill termites. It is a great at-home solution for termites since it is non-toxic and does not have any bad effects on humans or animals.
The high concentration of salt is poisonous to termites and they die instantly if they ingest it or come in contact with it. This method can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Required Material:
- Common salt
- Water
- Syringe or pipette
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---|---|---|
![]() |
Sundhed Iodized Table Salt in Refill | 750 Grams (26.45 oz) | Kosher Certified - Gourmet Salt | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Boil a cup of water and add ½ cup of salt into it. Let it dissolve. Once dissolved, add ½ cup of salt again and keep stirring until it dissolves. If some salt remains undissolved, you can strain it out.
- Let the mixture cool, then use a syringe or a pipette to inject the mixture into the affected areas. You can drill some holes beforehand to facilitate this process.
- Repeat this process of injecting the saltwater into the affected wood for a few days (3 to 4 days), until all the termites have died.
Precautions:
The mixture should not be diluted in order for it to work. Store it in a tight container inside the fridge when not in use.
16. Sunlight
Termites hate sunlight, especially dry wood termites. These insects thrive in cool, dark, and moist areas. The heat and the UV rays from the sun are enough to kill the termites. This method is great for furniture, as you can easily just leave them outside in the sun.
Required Material:
- Termite infested furniture
Step by Step Process:
- Take your furniture out into a bright sunny area in your yard. Make sure to lay it on a dry surface.
- Allow the sunlight to kill any termites that may be inside the furniture. The heat is also good for getting rid of termites.
- Keeping it under sunlight will also get rid of any moisture in the wood. Which helps prevent further termite infestations.
- Do this for a few days in a row to ensure that all the termites are gone.
- You can then repair your furniture if needed.
Precautions:
Make sure that the weather is perfectly clear, otherwise, any kind of moisture or dampness can make the termites thrive better.
17. UV Lights
Termites are not fond of sunlight, since when they are exposed to the harsh UV rays of the sun, they die. However, sunlight isn’t available everywhere, such as in the basement or the attic.
To mimic the effects of sunlight, you can use a UV light bulb. This will discourage the termites from attacking those areas in your house. The only downside to this solution is that you must keep these lights on every day.
Required Material:
Photo | Product | Buy |
---|---|---|
![]() |
Birsppy AmeriLuck LED UV Black Light Bulb A19, 60W Equivalent (7W), E26 Medium Scew Base, Pack of 4 | Check Price On Amazon |
Step by Step Process:
- Identify any areas in your house that rarely get sunlight. Areas like storage rooms, basements, etc. Install a UV light tube in each of those places.
- Keep the UV light on as long as possible, preferably during the daytime.
- Termites will be repelled by the UV lights and they will not attack those areas. If they were already inside, they would relocate to a different place to avoid the UV rays.
Precautions:
This isn’t a fool proof method, since the UV light only mimics sunlight, but does not have the heat or the intensity of sunlight. You may need to use additional removal methods to ensure that all the termites are gone.
7 Natural Ways to Prevent Termites
1. Use borate treatment on your wood
You can purchase pre-treated woods or you can use a borate treatment spray manually to make your walls termite-proof. Bear in mind that this has to be done before your house is built.
Borate-treated woods are very resilient to termites and it is perhaps the best solution for preventing termites from your home in the long run.
2. Make a concrete barrier
An underground concrete barrier is a great way to stop subterranean termites. These termites live in the ground and only come up to the house to eat wood.
If you put a concrete barrier between your house and the outside soil, these termites simply cannot come towards your house. The barrier must go all the way around your house and it should be at least 1 foot wide.
3. Prevent moisture and water damage
Termites can affect any wood, but wet wood is the easiest for them to consume, so they always attack moist or rotten wood at first.
This is why it’s extremely important to prevent moisture from damaging your home or furniture. To do so, you can use waterproof varnishes or paints to paint over any wooden surface.
Moreover, always try to keep your wooden furniture away from direct contact with rain or snow. Anytime you suspect water damage, repair or replace the wood immediately.
4. Get rid of clutter from your home
If you have a lot of paper, cardboard, old wooden furniture, etc stored in your house, they can easily become termite food. If you’re noticing a termite problem, the source of it could easily be the clutter.
This is why you should remove all the junk items from your home to make it less prone to termites. If you have to store certain items, always make sure to pack them carefully with ample plastic wrapping.
5. Repellent plants
Plants such as mint, peppermint etc. have a fairly strong smell that can keep away termites from your house.
Of course, it’s not a foolproof method, since there is always plenty of areas that termites can affect that the mint plants will not protect, but if you have noticed subterranean termites around your house, planting mint plants around your house may be able to keep them out of your house.
6. Avoid using wooden items
Even if you have a termite-proof house, your furniture could still be attacked by termites. A simple way to avoid that would be to simply not use wooden furniture. Replace wooden items with plastic or glass furniture. If you must have wooden furniture, always go for hardwoods such as cedar and redwood.
7. Use termite-proof paint or varnishes
Prior to building a house, wood is usually treated with chemicals to prevent termites, but for an extra layer of protection, you can paint your house using termite-proof paint. You can also use termite-proof varnishes for furniture.
Top 5 Natural Repellents to Available Online to Get rid of Termites
If you are looking for readily available natural repellents to get rid of termites, check below listed 5 best Natural/Organic Repellents.
Final Words:
Needless to say, termites can wreak havoc on your household and completely ruin your walls, furniture, and other items. This means that you absolutely must protect your house against termites.
As you saw from our article, it is not difficult to get rid of termites, however, it’s always a good idea to add preventative methods to avoid any damage to your house.
In case you have a huge termite problem that you’re unable to treat, you can always call the professionals who can help you with the termite problem. We hope you found our methods useful and we wish that you can quickly make your home termite-free!