How To Get Rid Of Termites? (2024)

Like most living creatures, termites come in more than one variety. While they do look slightly different from one another, the most distinguishing characteristics involve their food sources and their relationships with wet soil.

Also, all termites look similar to flying ants but do have distinctly different features. For one, termites don’t have nearly the tight waistline that flying ants do, but instead have thick, segmented center sections. Also, termites have two sets of wings that are equal in length, while flying ants’ rear wings are shorter than their front wings.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are the most common of these pests. They live throughout the entire country and are believed to cause up to 95% of the damage related to termites. They nest underground and create hollow, standing mud tunnels that allow them to travel to wood sources while protected from predators. Their colonies can reach up to one million insects, and they can be found anywhere in the U.S. These termites are creamy white to dark brown or black, and typically measure between ¼ and ½ inches long.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites appreciate dryer conditions and don’t live in soil. They can be found in California, Texas, Louisiana and Florida, and they typically live in colonies of 2,500 members or less. Drywood termites are generally light brown and can grow quite long, ranging between ⅜ and one inch long.

Dampwood Termites

As their name suggests, dampwood termites thrive on wet wood. These termites live in smaller colonies and can be found in the Pacific Northwest and West, and occasionally in areas in Florida. These termites are typically brownish red in color, and measure between ½ and ⅝-inches long.

What Do Termite Droppings Look Like?

Termite droppings are called frass, and they can be one of the first indicators that something is wrong. Frass looks like piles of pellets, and they look like small, oval-shaped grains of sawdust or pepper. These piles are often found near nests, and they’re primarily the result of a drywood termite infestation.

Where Are Termites Usually Found?

Termites are typically found in damp, dark spaces where they can go about their business eating and hydrating without issue. This can be a pile of firewood, the walls of a house, a pile of woodchips or even an old cardboard box. In a home, the most common places to find termites are the walls around bathrooms, kitchens and basem*nts, where moisture is typically higher.

Subterranean termites need to travel back and forth from damp, moist soil to their food source, so they build mud tunnels that allow them to travel safely back and forth. Dampwood and drywood termites do not require soil, but they each need wood resembling their namesake.

Most termite infestations exhibit some tell-tale signs. If homeowners notice any of the following indicators, they should look to take action before the infestation gets any worse:

• Hollow mud tubes that span the distance between the ground and the structure are an indication of subterranean termite infestations.
• Frass near windows and doors is an indication of a drywood termite infestation.
• Crumbling or deteriorating wood in walls and on top of foundation walls
• Blistered drywall where the paper surface is separating from the gypsum underneath
• Piles of discarded wings

Mud tubes, frass and discarded wings are the most tell-tale signs, as there may be other reasons for blistered drywall or crumbling wood.

Termites feed on the wood within the walls and floors of a home. They travel along wood lumber, floorboards, flooring and other materials, gobbling up wood. They can also damage furniture and carpeting.

Termites are so destructive that they can actually cause enough damage to cause a structural collapse. These are generally large infestations that have had many years, highlighting why it’s important to handle an infestation right away.

The best way to get rid of termites is to call a professional service. These pros know how to kill termites and help the homeowner keep their abode termite-free. However, for homeowners who are determined to reclaim and protect their homes, there are a few tried-and-true DIY termite treatment methods of getting rid of termites.

How to Get Rid of Subterranean Termites

The best way to get rid of subterranean termites is to apply a treatment of termiticide. These are barriers that homeowners can spray around their homes (on the soil) or on the wood inside their homes. Once the termite consumes the termiticide, it takes it back to the colony. These poisons then act as viruses, spreading from termite to termite, slowly killing them.

Another option for getting rid of subterranean termites is to apply a solution containing beneficial nematodes to the affected areas. Nematodes are parasites that bore into termites and release poisons, and they’ll spread from termite to termite as well.

How to Get Rid of Drywood Termites

Termiticides are also effective for drywood termites, but so are essential oils like orange and neem oils. Mixed into a solution of water and sprayed onto the affected area, these essential oils will disrupt the termites’ central nervous systems. This impacts the termites’ ability to reproduce and molt, causing them to die off.

How to Get Rid of Dampwood Termites

To get rid of dampwood termites, borate is the most popular treatment. By applying borate solutions directly to the wood, the termites know no better than to ingest it. Once in the termites’ bodies, the borate will kill the microorganisms in their digestive tracts and force termites to starve to death.

Most of the time, the best idea for controlling and getting rid of termites is to hire a professional service to handle the issue. They know how to pinpoint colonies and what kills termites the most effectively.

Terminix

One of the best professional services for getting rid of termites is Terminix. This company has a presence in 45 states and specializes in handling termites through a series of treatment plans. The company will arrive at the house, perform a free inspection and help the homeowner decide the best course of action.

Types of Treatment

Terminix uses spray treatments to get rid of termites. They spray liquid termiticides on the foundation, the soil around the home and other affected areas to effectively kill the colony and prevent it from returning. Also, bait stations can be set up around the home to attract the termites and cause them to consume poison that they’ll then bring back to the colony.

Do note that this may take a few applications and follow-up treatments to be completely effective.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Rid of Termites?

Termite treatment cost depends on many factors, including the size of the colony and where it’s located. However, homeowners can expect to pay between $200 to $900 for a bait system or chemical treatment.

How long a treatment lasts depends on the type. Liquid chemical sprays can last a few months, while termite barriers sprayed around the house are designed to last up to five years. Also, bait stations remain effective for up to one year.

The best way to get rid of termites is to prevent them from ever taking up residence in the home. Here are some tips:

• Keep your home dry. Make sure that downspouts shuttle water far away from the home’s foundation, and that any plumbing or roof leaks are handled right away.
• Keep gutters clear to prevent creating a warm, moist place for them to live in during the warmer months.
• Keep piles of firewood and lumber away from the home, and prevent tree branches from growing within six inches of the home.
• Use rubber mulch or gravel rather than typical wood mulch, as damp mulch can create a welcoming environment for termites.