How To Get Rid Of Termites

How To Get Rid Of Termites

Getting rid of termites on your own can be extremely challenging because termites are highly destructive and often hidden within wood, walls, or soil. DIY approaches can sometimes reduce activity but rarely provide full eradication. Here’s what a home or business owner trying to manage termites on their own can do to get rid of termites:

Identify the Type of Termite

There are two main types of termites in the U.S.:

• Subterranean termites: Live in the soil and build mud tubes to access wood.

• Drywood termites: Live inside dry wood, often without soil contact.

Correct identification is critical because treatment methods differ.

Inspection

Before treatment, do a thorough inspection:

• Look for mud tubes on foundations or walls (subterranean).

• Check for hollow-sounding wood or wood with frass (termite droppings) (drywood).

• Pay attention to moisture-prone areas like basements, crawl spaces, and wooden structures.

DIY Treatment Options

• Liquid Termiticides: These are applied around the foundation of a building to create a barrier. Active ingredients like fipronil or imidacloprid are common. Proper application requires trenching and careful measurement—overuse can be hazardous.

• Termite Baits: Bait stations (e.g., hexaflumuron, noviflumuron) are placed in the ground around the property. Termites consume the bait and carry it back to the colony, slowly eliminating it. This method is slower than liquid treatments but can be effective if monitored regularly.

• Borate Wood Treatments: Borate sprays (e.g., Bora-Care) can be applied to wood during construction or renovation. Penetrates wood fibers and kills termites on contact. More preventive than reactive, but helpful for localized infestations.

• Heat Treatments (Drywood Termites Only): Professional-grade heat (around 120–140°F) can kill termites in specific areas. This is hard to do effectively without specialized equipment.

Preventive Measures

Even if some termites are eliminated, prevention is essential:

• Reduce moisture near the foundation.

• Repair leaks in plumbing, roofs, and siding.

• Keep firewood and wood debris away from the structure.

• Seal cracks and crevices in foundations.

Limitations of DIY Termite Control

• Subterranean termite colonies can be very large and deep, making them nearly impossible to eliminate fully without professional-grade chemicals or equipment.

• Drywood termite infestations inside walls often require tent fumigation, which is almost impossible for a homeowner to do safely.

• DIY methods may slow or reduce activity but rarely achieve 100% eradication, and untreated termites can continue causing structural damage.

For minor, localized infestations, borate treatments or baits may help. For anything more extensive, our professional termite inspection and treatment is almost always necessary, as termites can silently destroy a building’s structure before DIY methods show noticeable results.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Termites

Our professional termite control is the most effective and safest way to get rid of termites because termites are highly destructive, hidden, and difficult to eliminate without specialized knowledge and tools. Here’s why hiring our professionals is the best choice:

Accurate Identification

• Our professionals can identify the type of termite (subterranean, drywood, or dampwood), which is crucial because treatment methods differ.

• We can also determine the extent of the infestation, including hidden colonies inside walls, floors, and foundations—something most homeowners cannot detect reliably.

Access to Professional-Grade Treatments

• Our professionals use high-strength termiticides and bait systems that are not available to the general public. These products are far more effective at eliminating entire colonies.

• Methods like liquid soil treatments, wood injections, and fumigation penetrate areas inaccessible to DIY products.

• We can also safely apply chemicals, minimizing risk to humans, pets, and the environment.

Colony Eradication, Not Just Surface Control

• DIY approaches often only kill visible termites, leaving the main colony intact.

• Our professionals target the colony at its source, ensuring long-term control rather than temporary relief.

Comprehensive Inspection and Monitoring

• Our experts inspect the property thoroughly, including crawl spaces, basements, attics, and exterior perimeters.

• Our professionals use monitoring systems and follow-up inspections to prevent reinfestation.

Safety

• Termiticides are toxic chemicals, and improper application can harm humans, pets, or landscaping.

• Our professionals are trained in safe handling, application, and containment, reducing liability and health risks.

Prevention and Long-Term Protection

• Our professional termite control often includes barrier treatments, soil treatments, or bait systems that protect the property for years.

• We can also provide recommendations for moisture control, wood treatment, and landscaping adjustments that reduce termite attraction.

Cost-Effectiveness

• While DIY might seem cheaper initially, incomplete termite eradication can lead to massive structural damage, which is far more expensive to repair than professional treatment.

• Our professionals provide warranties or guarantees, offering peace of mind and long-term savings.

Termites are silent, destructive insects that are extremely difficult to eliminate completely with DIY methods. Our professional termite control ensures accurate detection, full colony elimination, safety, and long-term prevention, which protects your home or business from costly structural damage.