DIY Termite Treatment at Home

Termites are active all year round, meaning there’s no bad time to start preparing your defense against these destructive wood-chewing pests.

If left unchecked, termites can quickly devastate your home, causing significant structural damage to beams, floors, and walls. These pests don’t need much time to get through your home’s structural beams and cause extensive damage.

If you spot any signs of termite activity near wood piles, your fireplace, or crawl spaces, it’s the perfect time to begin anti-termite treatment.

There are many highly effective DIY methods homeowners can use to protect their homes from termites. In this article, we have compiled some of the most effective ways to treat and prevent termites at home.

Best DIY Termite Treatment Methods

1. Inspect Your Home’s Foundation Every Season

Make it a habit to walk around your home’s foundation regularly. Look for any signs of damage or potential termite activity. While termites can’t eat concrete, they can build mud tubes to access wood, which is a sure sign of an infestation. If you notice these mud tubes, it’s time to inspect closely and start applying some DIY termite treatment strategies.

2. Heat Can Effectively Kill Termites

Termites are heat-sensitive, so using heat as a termite repellent is an easy yet powerful DIY solution. Heating a termite-infested area to at least 120°F (49°C) will effectively kill termites. This method is especially helpful for targeting localized infestations without resorting to harmful pesticides.

3. Store Items in Plastic, Not Cardboard

Cardboard is a big attractant for termites. If you’re storing things in cardboard boxes around your home or garage, consider switching to plastic bins. Even if you’re storing cardboard for recycling, ensure it’s placed in a proper recycling bin and not left in piles around your property.

4. Use Repellent Termiticide on Safe Wood Structures

Repellent termiticides are great for protecting wood that has not been infested. Apply the termiticide around wooden structures like fences, decks, and sheds to create a protective barrier and prevent termites from discovering and damaging these areas.

5. Use Borates (Borax Powder)

Sodium borate, commonly known as borax powder, is a natural and effective way to kill termites. Sprinkle borax powder around the infested area or mix it with water and spray it on suspected termite entry points. Reapply the solution periodically to ensure it penetrates deeper into the colony and eliminates the pests.

6. Expose Termite-Infested Furniture to Sunlight

Termites hate sunlight. They can’t survive prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat. If you have furniture or wooden structures suspected of being infested with termites, try dragging them outside and leaving them in the sunlight. During the summer months, the heat will likely kill any termites hiding in the wood.

If the furniture is too large to move, consider using UV lights in the infested areas to replicate sunlight and eliminate termites.

These DIY termite treatment methods are effective and can help reduce the risk of a serious infestation. If you need professional support or more advanced treatment options, feel free to contact us!