Termites are a giant pest that will tear through the wood in any building, from furniture to support beams, walls and everything else. If you have an infestation, you might be interested in trying to fend it off yourself using natural methods to remove the pests. Let’s take a look at some of these methods and see how effective they really are.

Boric acid

Boric acid is a known wood preservative and natural pesticide, and it can be used to protect specific pieces of wood. When combining boric acid with water, you can spray it over infested wood and the termites that have eaten it can no longer process nutrients, so they will die slowly over time. It’s best to use boric acid outside to protect fences and other outdoors wooden structures.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper contains the active chemical capsaicin, which is a termite killer. If you have small pieces of wood that are infested with termites, you can take the pepper and mix it with vegetable oil and then apply it to the wood. The solution should be applied for 4-5 days for maximum effectiveness.

Nematodes

Nematodes are tiny worms that are invisible to the naked eye but which are effective against a wide range of pests including termites. In order to use them, you will have to mix them with water and then spray them on the wood. The nematode solution will seep into the wood, and from there, the nematodes will start attacking the termites. Make sure you read up on these worms before making a purchasing decision, since there are different types used against different pests.

Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth or DE is a unique type of sand made from fossilized algae. It can be used in a lot of ways, but one of its uses is as an insecticide which can kill termites. DE is harmless to humans, but because it has razor-sharp particles known as diatoms, these diatoms will cut through the shell of insects and draw out all the moisture. DE can be used indoors and outdoors, and it can be used against termites as well.

Dealing with larger infestations

While these methods can be useful when dealing with localized infestations, they can’t really stop a fully grown colony from damaging the home. For that, you will need the help of a pro. Contact us today if you have a large termite infestation that cannot be handled through DIY methods.

Tags: Termite Control, Termite Exterminator, Termite Pest Control, Termites