How to Kill Termites Yourself

There is no doubt that professional termite control is a bit expensive. You cannot help but wonder whether then you can kill termites yourself and the best method to use.

Would it be effective enough or not?

The great news is that there is a chance of dealing with the problem yourself if you detect the termite infestation early.

We have ranked the best methods to kill termites yourself below starting with the strongest to the relatively weaker methods. You don’t need to start with or use method one.

Depending on the degree of your infestation, one of the lower methods may work well also. You can combine two or more methods to a great effect as some may be more suited to outdoors.

Below are 3 best methods on how to kill termites yourself:

1. Using Liquid Termite Barrier

Warning: Do not allow your pets or children in the treated areas until the treatment fully dries.

This method kills the termites already present and acts as a good preventative measure against new infestation.

This barrier method basically surrounds your house with a pesticide barrier poisonous to the termites upon contact.

The pesticide barrier is common around entire foundations though it can be used to surround specific wooden structures, tree stumps or wood piles.

A flexible method indeed!

This method uses a pesticide as a termite killer which than poses a challenging question. Which pesticide should I use?

We highly recommend the Taurus SC which is a leader in this field (also cheaper).

Most pest control professionals exterminate termites using this method and not without reason. Here is why:

1. The termites have no chance of detecting the solution and thus can’t avoid it.

2. The amazing thing about this solution is its multiplier effect.

Once a termite comes into contact with the solution it will affect other termites in the colony if they come into contact. The chances of a termite affecting many others are high due to their much movement out and around the colony.

What’s more, the pesticide is slow acting which gives affected termites enough time to spread the poison around the colony.

3. Non-repellent nature of the liquid barrier increases its effectiveness.

Some liquid termite barriers are designed to repel termites which means termites avoid the barrier and can find another way into your house.

Repellents are less effective and do not boast the multiplier effect.

How to Use Liquid Termite Barrier Method

The first step is creating a solution of Taurus SC and water in the ratio of 0.8oz to 1 gallon of water.

A bottle has 20oz of Taurus SC and is enough to make 25 gallons of the solution. You can trust this concentration to get the job done.

Next, dig a 6 x 6-inch trench to surround your home foundation. Where the ground is covered by concrete, drill a hole measuring half by 18 inches and 2 inches away from the foundation wall. The rate of making holes should be a hole per foot.

The last step will be to spray the prepared solution into the holes or trenches with a high-quality sprayer.

A gallons should be enough to cover 10 feet. You than just need to wait for the results.

The method described above is very effective when Taurus SC is used.

Trenches allow the solution to create a bond with the soil that can last up to 10 years when applied correctly. Nonetheless, reapplying every one or two years is a great idea.

Why not spray the solution directly to the ground? Some may ask.

Well, that is entirely possible and may get you the results which you are craving for but not as effective.

2. Using Poisoned Bait Method

The liquid barrier method is very effective without a doubt. However, it just may be too radical for some people viewing it as excessively laborious.

They also might not see the termite problem being a serious as this method calls for. You, on the other hand, may not feel too comfortable knowing that gallons of pesticide surround your home where you walk around every day.

You may think; what if my children play around there?

There also may be practical limitations to this method such as limited space and inaccessibility of the house if trenches are to be dug.

If you feel you are among such individuals, we would recommend you use the poisoned bait method that is almost equally effective. In this method, you wont need to spray pesticides all over your home which is a welcome idea.

A poisoned bait is used on a part of the property which will attract foraging termites. The termites can also be trapped using the bait. The poisoned termites will carry the poison back to the colony and spread it to the others.

The best termite detecting and baiting system in the market now is the Spectracides Termite Detection and Killing Stakes. It is among the best we have seen so far among the many in the market.

We recommend you use it and expect the best results. After all, that’s what you’re looking for.

The bait stakes are easily installed around your house in the ground. The entire perimeter of the house should be considered for termite infestation.

The termites will unknowingly consume the poisoned bait which makes the stakes pop out. This will serve as a detection mechanism to tell you that termites are in the area.

The poison additionally kills the termites and is carried back to the colony by the affected ones.

How to Use Poisoned Bait Method

First, determine the number of stakes you need to use on your property precisely. We recommend between 10 to 20 stakes all depending on your home and property size.

Plot and sketch out a drawing or plan of your property to a graph paper while locating the most likely areas that will support termite activity. You can use a map that you already have of the property.

Install the selected stakes using an enclosed auger at the locations earlier predetermined around your property. We recommend that you install the stakes about 2 or 3 feet away from foundations and at the same time not exceeding 10 feet apart from each other.

Next, you will need to inspect the stakes frequently to determine the ones that have popped up to see if the bait has trapped some termites in stakes or has been eaten away. This is where the method is a bit laborious but its worth the energy.

The infested stakes that you find should be replaced with an active stake. Additionally, install 3 or more stakes within a foot of the area where the infested stake is. This will trap more termites in that area.

Replace all stakes every 12 months or remove them if there is no sign of termite activity. You could also leave them in place as a way of determining when a termite infestation occurs.

3. Using Direct Chemical Treatment

The poisoned bait method, as well as the liquid barrier method, have proved themselves very effective outside your house. Nonetheless, it is impossible for you to use them in the house.

Don’t quote us wrong as the two methods are very lethal to termites and entire colonies due to their poison transference effect. Just that using them in the house is insane if not impossible.

So, what do you use inside your house?

When you spot some termites in the wall through a crevice, on the rafters and attic among others you need another method to stop them in their tracks.

It needs to be a reliable method you can look up to and trust to get the job done inside your house. We can assure you the Termidor Foam is no more than you need.

The Termidor Foam is a dry spray from the leading company in the industry and like other Termidor products is a great choice for eradicating termites.

Sprays may not be effective against termites due to lack of exposure in the open but the Termidor Foam has a trick down its sleeve. Curious?

Instead, the Termidor foam, unlike other pesticide sprays, expands its volume by up to 30 times more instantly after leaving the can.

A single can give as much as 5 gallons of foam to spray. Cans come with a nozzle to shoot and jet the foam into areas that are hard to reach such as voids an crevices.

This is where any termites like to hide but the jets of foam and the expanding foam will surely take care of them. More so, the foam slowly and eventually evaporates after being applied leaving an invisible residue that poisons termites on contact.

The residue will last and be effective for at least a month or so.

The advantage of this foam is that it is odorless and will not smell in the house. This really comes in handy as the foam is mostly for indoor use.

Fipronil is the active ingredient in the Termidor foam just like in the Termidor concentrate for liquid barriers. It is in lower concentrations though.

How to Use Direct Chemical Treatment Method

First, you will need to locate the termites in crevice areas and voids. Whichever method you use to locate the termites is entirely up to you.

Make the crevices and void areas by drilling holes among other techniques if necessary.

Fire the chemical into the area by inserting the cans nozzle through the hole or whichever access you have to the area Be sure to be well protected against the chemicals using measures such as eye protection and protective gloves.

We best advise that you reseal the hole after treatment is complete though not permanently. You may need access again so its wise to keep the area still accessible.

Give the chemical time, say one month, to work on the termites before checking again.

Repeat the treatment to an infested area if necessary after the one month period.