How to get rid of termites

Termites are one of the most destructive pests a homeowner can encounter and cause billions of dollars in damage worldwide each year. These silent destroyers feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials, which can lead to significant structural damage to homes if left unchecked. Termites are hard to detect until their colonies are well established, making termite pest control from a pest control professional like Ehrlich a top priority for any homeowner.

Signs of a termite infestation

Termites can be elusive, often going unnoticed until substantial damage has occurred. Early detection is key to minimizing the destruction these insects can cause. Knowing what to look for can help save you thousands in repairs and pest control costs, so here’s an outline of some common signs of a termite infestation:

Damaged & hollow sounding wood

Termites eat wood from the inside out, making the damage they cause hard to spot at first glance. Knock on wooden surfaces in your home. If the wood sounds hollow, it may be a sign that termites have been feasting within. Visible damage, like buckling wood, blistered paint, or damaged floors, can also indicate a termite problem.

Discarded wings

Once swarmers find a new place to establish a colony, they shed their wings. Discarded wings near windowsills, doors, or other entry points are a telltale sign that termites may be setting up residence in your home. Unlike ants, termites have wings of equal length, so be sure to look closely at the wings to distinguish between the two.

Termite frass

Termite frass, or termite droppings, is a sign of a drywood termite infestation. Unlike subterranean termites, which build mud tubes, drywood termites push their frass out of small holes in the wood they infest. These droppings look like tiny pellets and are typically found near baseboards, windowsills, or other wooden structures.

Tight-fitting doors & windows

As termites eat away at the wood within your home, they can cause doors and windows to become difficult to open or close. If your doors and windows suddenly feel tight, it could be a sign of hidden termite activity.

Types of termites

Different species of termites have different behaviors, which means that the termite control methods for each type may vary. Here are the main types of termites that homeowners in the U.S. are likely to encounter:

Subterranean termites

Subterranean termites are the most common and the most destructive type of termite in the U.S. These termites live underground in large colonies and build mud tubes to travel to their food source. Subterranean termites are responsible for the majority of termite damage and require treatment due to their large colonies and rapid destruction.

Drywood termites

Drywood termites live inside the wood they consume, requiring no contact with soil. These termites often infest attics, wooden furniture, and other above-ground wooden structures. Drywood termites are less common than subterranean termites but can still cause significant damage if left untreated.

Formosan termites

Formosan termites are an invasive species of subterranean termites known for their extremely large colonies and aggressive nature. These termites are particularly destructive and can cause extensive damage in a short period. They are prevalent in the southern U.S.

Dampwood termites

Dampwood termites prefer moist or decaying wood and are typically found in areas with high humidity or where water damage is present. These termites are less likely to infest dry wood structures, but if there is moisture in the wood, they can cause damage. Homeowners should be cautious of water leaks, as dampwood termites may take advantage of these conditions.

For more termite information and a guide to termite identification see our article “What do termites look like?”

How to get rid of termites

Once you’ve identified signs of a termite infestation, you need to act quickly to mitigate the damage and eliminate the termites. Here are some common methods for both DIY termite control and professional pest control services:

DIY termite control methods

While professional termite control is the most effective approach due to the complexity of identifying termite species, sources, and applying the appropriate treatment, property owners can try a few DIY methods to reduce termite activity. However, these approaches come with risks, particularly when dealing with chemicals or misidentifying the problem, which can delay proper treatment and potentially lead to more damage. Here are a few potential DIY methods:

Boric acid for termites

Boric acid is a popular DIY solution for termite control. This natural insecticide disrupts the termites' digestive system, eventually killing them. Homeowners can apply boric acid powder directly to areas where termites are present or mix it with water to create a spray for more extensive coverage. This type of treatment alone is not sufficient to control termites and may give a false sense of security that the termites have been controlled. Termite colonies are complex and cover broad areas, so controlling termites in one area where they are visible is unlikely to affect the ongoing activity of the termite colony.

Nematodes for termites

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic, parasitic roundworms that can be effective in combating termites. These natural predators seek out termites and invade their bodies, killing them from the inside. Nematodes can be purchased at garden centers or online and are a popular eco-friendly alternative to chemical treatments. However, they have not been shown to be effective in consistently controlling termite colonies that are attacking structures.

Orange oil for termites

Orange oil is another natural termite control method. It contains d-limonene, a compound toxic to termites. When applied directly to infested wood, orange oil can kill termites and deter them from returning. Orange oil treatment may give limited control for a limited time in a small area of infestation, but will not likely control the termite colonies that support these areas of limited activity.

It’s important to note that do-it-yourself termite treatments are ineffective and will not prevent termites from re-infesting your property.

Professional termite control solutions

If you’re dealing with a termite infestation, it’s always recommended that you contact a professional termite control company. At Ehrlich, we have licensed and highly experienced technicians who can identify the source and extent of the termite problem and apply the most effective termite treatment options in accordance with the best safety practices (we also offer a free initial termite inspection).

Termite liquid treatment

Liquid termiticides can be applied to create a barrier in the soil beneath your home that kills termites on contact. This method is particularly effective for subterranean termites and can provide long-term protection against future infestations.

Bait stations for termites

Termite bait stations are a popular option for both prevention and active infestations of subterranean termites. These bait stations are placed in the soil around your home or directly in areas of termite activity and contain cellulose-based materials laced with a slow-acting termiticide. As termites feed on the bait, they carry it back to the colony, gradually eliminating the entire termite colony over time.

Fumigation & tenting of termites

In cases of severe drywood termite infestations, fumigation and tenting may be necessary. This involves sealing off the entire structure with traps and filling it with a gas that penetrates deep into the wood to kill termites. Fumigation is highly effective but requires homeowners to vacate their property for several days.

Termite spot treatment

For localized termite activity, spot treatments can target specific areas where termites are active. This involves injecting termiticides directly into the infested wood. Spot treatments may be an option in limited situations.

Preventing future termite infestations

Getting rid of termites is just as much about prevention as it is treatment. If you take pre-emptive steps to deter termites, they won’t be as attracted to your property, helping to avoid an infestation. Here are some termite prevention tips.

Moisture control

By reducing moisture in your home, you can help protect your property from the risk of termite infestation and wood rot.

• Repair the roof - Broken roof tiles can let in moisture and create the perfect environment for termites to start chewing away and building their nests.

• Watch the air conditioner - If you have an air conditioner unit in a window, keep an eye on it. The moisture that drips from an air conditioner can cause the wood around windows to get damp and create an attractive area for a termite infestation.
• Tend to leaky pipes - Leaks can moisten the wood around them. Also, ensure stormwater runoff is properly directed away from your home.
• Ensure proper ventilation - Poor ventilation in the sub-floor areas of your property will result in high humidity and high moisture levels.

Eliminate wood-to-soil contact & other potential entry points

If you give termites the opportunity to enter your home, they’ll take it.

• Seal up windows and doors - When termite swarmers come out, they can get inside through broken window screens and doors with cracks and openings. 
• Don’t store wood against your house - Stacking wood against the side of the house or allowing climbing plants or bushy gardens to grow against it can attract termites to your home. 
• Put space between wood and soil - Construct wood fences and support posts with a two inch clearance between the wood and the soil.
• Clean up construction sites - Clean up wood debris, remove any concrete form boards that may have been left behind, etc.

Proper wood storage: removing food sources

Termites eat 24/7. Termites are notorious for eating wood, but they’ll eat other cellulose materials as well.

• Store firewood, lumber, and other cellulose materials at least 20 feet away from your home, and keep it off the ground. 
• Get rid of cardboard - Termites love to chew on things like cardboard boxes. Store things in plastic boxes instead of cardboard, so if a termite gets inside the attic, they don't have boxes to chew through.
• Tend the garden - Use a mulch made from alternative materials like gravel or rubber instead of wood and make sure it isn’t placed right against your house. Use treated wood in garden beds, retaining walls, or fence posts so termites will not be attracted.
• Remove dead trees or stumps - Dead trees and stumps are ideal sites for termites to nest in. Remove these or have them treated to reduce the risk to your property.
• Check the wood around your house - Take the time to check the wooden beams and exposed wood (including furniture) around your house. Press your thumb or fingers against exposed wood and if the wood crumbles, you might have termites. If you catch it early, you can get rid of termites and stop the damage.

Regular Professional Inspections

Even if you haven't seen signs of termites, regular termite inspections by a pest control professional can help catch an infestation early. Ehrlich offers free initial termite inspections, giving homeowners peace of mind and the chance to address any termite activity before it becomes a serious problem.

Need help with termite pest control?

Dealing with termites can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it alone. Whether you’ve seen signs of termites or just want to take preventive measures, we can help protect your home. It is best to contact a professional pest control company, like Ehrlich, at the first sign of termites to ensure your infestation doesn’t get out of hand.

Your Ehrlich Technician will inspect your property to determine the type and severity of the infestation. With that information, the Technician will be able to select the method of treatment that is best suited for your unique situation. 

Whether your termite problem requires termite baiting and monitoring, fumigation, or a more conventional method such as liquid treatment, we’re up for the challenge. To set up a FREE termite inspection, call Ehrlich today at 800-837-5520 or contact us online.