How to get rid of termites

If you're trying to find out how to get rid of termites, you might be prepared for a real fight. Few household pests cause quite as much structural damage as termites, so they are rightfully feared. 

Termites are cellulose-eating insects, which is to say they eat wood. They will destroy porches, structural beams, decks – you name it. And they do this fast, because termites live in colonies. 

You can learn to identify these bugs in your home before they've done too much damage, but you will need to act quickly. Don't wait until your porch crumbles in your hands. 

What are the first signs of termites? 

This is not to cause panic, but if you see crumbling wood, you're already a little late to start exterminating termites. The time to act is well before, when you spot one of the following early warning signs of termite presence in your home:

• Scattered wings on window sills: these are large, transparent wings (about half an inch in diameter) that are typically left in pairs.
• Mud tubes: think of these as paths termites have made to get to the wood in your home from the ground. They look like narrow miniature trenches that have been excavated in your walls.
• A window or door that keeps getting stuck: if this isn't due to excess. moisture levels, this could be a sign of termites.
• Frass/wood dust: if you live in the southern US, you likely will see mounds of wood crumb that the termites have digested and discarded. Only drywood termites produce frass, so if you live further north you likely won't see it.

How to get rid of termites: a former exterminator advises

You've spotted the early warning signs of a termite colony in your home or yard. What do you do now? You call a professional exterminator. We're all for DIY pest solutions when they really work, but termites are just a whole other ballpark. 

Nicholas Martin is Founder & Editor-in-Chief at Pest Control Hacks. An entomologist with more than 25 years of experience, he had dealt with his fair share of termite infestations. His advice? Don't expect it to be easy: 'I must warn everyone here that dealing with termites is very difficult, even for professionals, and requires loads of harsh chemicals to be used. It means that the operator has to be well-protected. 

'Termite extermination usually includes interior and exterior chemical treatment to eliminate termites that try to root in your house and control the colonies in the neighborhood at the same time. 

'Moreover, a termite infestation in one house means that some of the nearby houses are infested as well. It’s your responsibility to talk to your neighbors and persuade them to hire an exterminator for inspection and most probably extermination too.'

However, there are several things you can try before or after a termite colony has ravaged your property to protect your home from these pests.

1. Prevention is key

According to Michael Thome, Associate Certified Entomologist and Technical
Service Manager for Ehrlich Pest Control, when it comes to termites, everything starts with prevention.' 

First of all, remove stored wood and debris from 'under, in, and around your home.'

Then, 'fix dripping taps and leaky pipes, which increase the moisture levels and attract termites to your property. Divert hot water services and AC overflows away from the side of the house. 

If you have raised beds or wood fencing in your garden, 'only use termite-treated wood in garden beds, retaining walls, and fence posts. Limit wood-to-soil contact. 

Natural decks made from untreated wood should be sealed with either a decking oil or a decking stain. 

And, finally, 'check with your neighbors to see if they have had any issues.
If they have, a proactive baiting installation may be warranted.'

Dealing with leaks and removing rotten will also reduce the risk of a carpenter ant infestation. 

2. Try nematodes

If you are seeing signs of termites and do want to give a DIY extermination method a go, Ken Unger, president of Suburban Pest Control, recommends using nematodes: 'These are tiny parasitic worms that kill termites. You can buy them online or at some home improvement stores.' To use nematodes, you would need to know where the termites are nesting in your woodwork, or the method will not work. 

3. Give boric acid a go

Unger also gives his seal of approval to boric acid: 'boric acid is a poison that will kill termites. You can find it at most hardware stores.'

Boric acid can be bought on Amazon in powder form or as a foam. The foam is superior for pest control because it is easier to work with, less dangerous for you and your pets, and comes with a nozzle that can get into crevices. 

4. Use borax or white vinegar to prevent re-infestation

We'll be very explicit about this step: do not try to exterminate an existing colony with borax or vinegar; you won't succeed and will waste precious time. As Martin explains, 'unfortunately, it’s not enough to eliminate colonies that hide deep inside the wooden parts of the house.'

However, if you've had your house treated for termites and want to ensure they don't come back, 'you can use borax as a repellant after successful extermination but talk to your contractor first to get advice on whether it’s effective or not in your particular case.' 

Can you get rid of termites yourself?

Honestly, not really. Martin is firm on this: 'If you decide to start extermination without professional help, the chances that you do everything correctly are very low. If you miss the core of the termite nest in your house, it will soon lead to serious structural damage and costly repairs in addition to extermination costs. For this reason, the best solution is to hire a professional as soon as possible to avoid higher expenses in the future.'

Michael Thome seconds this view, urging readers not to attempt to get rid of termites on a DIY basis: 'If termites are disturbed, they will simply re-route their activity to another area of the house. A termite specialist from a pest management company will be able to assess and apply proper treatment.'

Can you get rid of termites completely?

We have good news and bad news. First, the bad news: you usually can't get rid of termites completely if they're present in your area. Martin tells us that 'it’s impossible to get rid of termites in the environment. If there’s a colony nearby, it will be there for a very long time and you’re not likely to find it.'

Now, the good news: you can – and absolutely should – eradicate termites from your home. 'The best approach is to eliminate these pests in your house and protect the exterior with chemical repellents to ensure that termites avoid going in most of the time. Regular inspections are recommended too.'