If you want to avoid termites at home, you can use essential oils, such as cinnamon oil, clove bud oil, or the famous tea tree oil. To use them properly, all you have to do is to fill them in a mist sprayer and spray on the damaged areas to repel termites.
Termites dislike certain odors that act as repellents to them. Some of the common smells they hate include orange oil, neem oil, garlic, cinnamon, vinegar, mint, and citrus.
Ants are the greatest predators of termites, and may have a considerable local impact on termite populations in some areas of the world.
Termites are most often attracted to the scent of wood because they primarily feed on wood. The scent of wood will usually lead them right to your doorstep.
Thus, neem oil for termites can be the best natural termite killer and help you get rid of termites permanently from your wooden structures. If you are wondering how to do neem oil treatment for termites, simply inject it inside the wooden structures.
For wood that's below ground, you can use WOODLIFE CopperCoat. You can also use a borate spray like Bora-Care to repel termites and carpenter ants. All you have to do is dilute the formula with water and spray it on the desired wood surface––make sure you do this on a clear day, as it needs time to dry.
However, it seems that two plants, catnip and vetiver grass, have shown promise in studies as termite repellents. According to the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter), research shows that vetiver grass contains compounds that repel Formosan subterranean termites.
In addition to silverfish, cockroaches, termites, and booklice may occasionally enjoy munching on toilet paper sheets. Silverfish will start feeding on the outer edges of the toilet paper and move inward. Most people keep their stockpile of toilet paper in the basement.
Spoiler Alert, the type of perfume, cologne or air fresheners that are being used in your home is not what attracts termites!
Moisture: A Termite's Downfall
Relative humidity, therefore, has a profound impact on termite infestations. However, it's crucial to note that moisture can also be a termite's downfall, especially when effectively managed.
Other mammalian hunters of termites include echidnas, foxes, galagos, numbats, mongooses, mice, pangolins, genets, civits, bats, echidnas, moles, shrews, bibbies, and even humans. Members of aboriginal tribes in Australia are known to eat termites as are members of various tribes in Africa.
Cellulose. The food of termites is mainly cellulose, which is obtained from wood, grass, leaves, humus, manure of herbivorous animals, and materials of vegetative origin (e.g., paper, cardboard, cotton). Most lower termites and many higher ones feed on wood that is either sound or partly decayed.
Place coffee grounds around the foundation of your home in areas where insects or other pests are entering, or mix them in with mulch while doing landscaping to help keep ants and termites from infesting your mulch bed.
White vinegar can kill termites. However, its effectiveness for complete termite control is limited due to factors like concentration and direct contact. Vinegar's key weapon is acetic acid, which disrupts termites' delicate exoskeletons and dehydrates them.
Fruit trees also appear to be a prime target for termites, but they aren't going after the sweet produce. Mango trees and peach trees in particular seem to attract these bothersome insects. Young citrus trees are also known to get attacked by termites with reports going as far back as 1927.
Key Takeaways. Bright colors significantly deter termites from engaging with treated surfaces. Earth tones, such as browns, beiges, and greens, repel termites due to their association with natural environments.
Most commonly, drywood termites infest wooden items such as pieces of furniture that are actively being used and your home's woodwork. These tiny pests can be difficult to spot, so you have to know where to check for signs of these termites in your home.
Best Termite Foam for Direct Spray: Termidor Foam
If you have termite problems in the cracks and crevices in your home, Termidor Foam gives you a major advantage. Different from baits and liquid barriers, Termidor Foam can be used inside the home.
If you want to avoid termites at home, you can use essential oils, such as cinnamon oil, clove bud oil, or the famous tea tree oil. To use them properly, all you have to do is to fill them in a mist sprayer and spray on the damaged areas to repel termites.
Ants: Ants are one of the most common termite predators. Different species of ants, such as the aggressive army ants found in tropical forests, often launch attacks on termite colonies. These ants are known for their coordinated and strategic raids, overpowering termites with sheer numbers.
Boric acid is often recommended for the elimination of termites. Boric acid is a natural pesticide and usually comes in the powder form. You can sprinkle it in the area of infestation or mix it with water to spray in the area. It might be best to use goggles, masks and gloves while spraying the acid.
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.
White vinegar is another effective substance for killing termites and other insects. There are multiple ways you can use it: Straight Diluted in water using a 1:1 ratio Mixed with lemon juice 1:2 With a bit of oil 1:4 All these solutions are effective and kill termites on contact.