How to kill termites?

Termites are on the list of the most destructive creatures because of their swarming behavior and terrible appetite, and can destroy houses, furniture and all kinds of wooden objects. Priceless ancient books, if not carefully preserved, will also become victims of termites, the damage is so great that it cannot be measured.

Termites have the ability to invade your home in many different ways, even walls that are solidly built with cement can be attacked by them without anyone detecting them for many years.

There are 3 common types of termites:

• Drywood termites: This species lives mainly in wooden furniture, its favorite food is wood. Besides, they also affect the walls of the building.
• Wetwood termites: This type often lives in damp, rotting wood.
• Subterranean termites: They live mainly underground, and are the most difficult to kill because you cannot see them unless you dig up the soil, or when your house is damp or the ground has cracks. Or more unlucky, your house is built on land where a termite nest exists, they quickly attack the house and you quickly realize the consequences the termites leave behind.

How to kill and repel termites? 

If the termite infestation is still mild, you can refer to applying some termite killing and repelling methods below. If the situation is more severe or to ensure effectiveness and properly assess the situation, you should use a termite extermination service.

How to kill and repel termites with vinegar and lemon

You need to use two lemons, half a bowl of white vinegar, put it in a spray bottle and go around the house and kill termites. This solution is very safe for humans, families with children and pets can also use it with complete peace of mind.

How to kill termites with alcohol

When you discover a termite nest, prepare 10-20 liters of 90-degree alcohol, dig a trench around the nest (10 x 10cm) and pour the alcohol into it. When termites leave the nest to search for food, they will get stuck in alcohol and die. After completely eliminating termites, you should destroy the termite nest to avoid them nesting again.

Note: Alcohol is a flammable material so be very careful when using it.

How to safely repel termites with salt

Using salt to drown termites is quite an effective and safe method. You can follow the instructions below:

Method 1: Pour a mixture of salt and water with a 1:1 ratio into the termite nest or locations where termites appear. You can also use a syringe to inject salt water directly into the termite nest.

Method 2: At the termite path or the area where termites appear, sprinkle salt directly on it to keep the termites away from where you live.

Kill termites with light

For termites that often prowl and reside in buildings, using light to kill termites is very effective. When it’s dark, put a basin of water under a candle or bright light, termites will be attracted and flock to it because they love light, and look for well-lit places to mate. Usually after mating, the termites’ wings fall off so they easily fall into the water.

In addition to wondering how to kill termites, many people also want to know how to prevent termites from entering their home from outside. Closing the doors in the house is what you should do if it rains or is windy during the day. If there are some termites still flying in, you can use a racket to prevent and remove them.

Signs that a house has termites 

Usually, termites like to dig deep inside wooden furniture. By the time they are discovered, the item has been severely damaged. To detect termites early, pay attention to the following signs: 

– The wood is hollow inside: You can use your hand to knock all over the surface of the wood. If you detect a creaking sound, it is likely that termites have hollowed out the inside.

– Wooden doors are difficult to open or are stuck: Termite droppings create a hot and humid environment, causing the wood to swell.

– Roof lines: Termites often create roof lines to reside, travel, and transport food without being detected.

– Termite manure: Houses attacked by termites often have mounds of brown, granular soil-like feces. Their droppings appear mainly in areas where wood has been invaded.

According to Healthline , in addition to damaging homes and furniture, termites can even bite and sting humans. Although not dangerous, they can still cause allergies. Termites do not carry infectious diseases to humans but can cause respiratory problems, especially termites, if you live in a termite-infested environment for a long time.