In this article, we look at the natural termite control options available.
Many termite treatments use toxic chemicals or fumigants, which can be harmful to humans and animals as well as the environment. Due to such concerns, there has been a growing shift in bias for safer termite control options.
While there are lots of natural control options, not all are reliable. Having this understanding will help with the careful selection of more appropriate treatments.
Natural treatments for termites are also known as organic pest control. Here, it’s not difficult to see why naturally-derived substances are used.
Organic Termite Treatment Options
Chemical methods of termite control, though effective, have increasingly become a source of concern to many.
This is due to obvious reasons, including toxicity and negative impact on the environment. Organic termite control is largely the safest way to eliminate termites.
Here, no negative environmental impact occurs. Plus, the user’s safety is guaranteed. With this said, what are the eco-friendly methods and strategies for termite control?
This article is all about answering such questions and more. You’ll have to sit back and read along as we provide you with all the details you need.
Benefits of Natural Termite Control
When it comes to natural termite control, a wide range of benefits can be attributed to this process.
First off, this is an environmentally friendly pest treatment option that kills termites and leaves zero toxicity behind. Unlike many pesticides used for termite control, natural products have low odor.
Safety is paramount for a lot of people and the right reason. You don’t want your family and pets exposed to toxic pesticides while treating termites.
This is one clear advantage natural termite treatments have. There are much fewer incidences of toxicity when using natural termite control than conventional treatments.
Persons with allergies and respiratory issues prefer natural termite control measures. As such, they tend to be less irritating. This treatment approach will be a great option if you or other family members have allergies.
With natural termite treatments, the chances of developing resistance are greatly reduced.
Natural treatments have no such problems as regular termite pesticides, whose time eventually becomes less effective due to the passing on of beneficial traits.
In other words, termites cannot resist the impact natural treatments have on them. The secret lies in the biologically formulated product, which tends to maintain long-term disruption of termite activity.
DIY Termite Control Isn’t a Great Idea
Before we go any further, it’s important to establish that DIY termite control methods aren’t as effective in termite elimination.
Termites are notorious for the heavy losses they cause to residential and commercial property owners.
A single termite colony can number anywhere from thousands to millions of members. This means every moment they spend on your property can be very damaging.
You don’t want to waste valuable time applying ineffective treatments to an existing termite problem.
It’s best to go for what works. This is where professional termite extermination comes into play. However, this isn’t to say that certain DIY treatment approaches aren’t effective.
The good news is that you can apply organic methods in both DIY and professional scenarios.
In other words, homeowners might prefer organic methods due to the safety associated with such. For enhanced application, it’s best to convey your preferences (organic treatment) to the pros rather than adopting DIY measures.
Is There Still a Need for Professional Termite Control?
There absolutely is a need! The adoption of natural termite control practices doesn’t translate to a lack of need for professional help. Instead, it reinforces such a need.
Professional pest control services offer various solutions, including natural termite treatments.
Instead of using chemically based products or synthetically produced pesticide products, the adoption of totally natural solutions is made. There are many natural termite treatment products to pick from, as you’ll soon find out.
The adoption of DIY termite control will do little to solve the problem as these pests are among the most difficult to deal with. So, it’s necessary to seek the expertise of a licensed and experienced pest technician to perform the treatment procedure.
These technicians have a deeper understanding of termite behavior and know the common signs to look out for. Also, they can figure out the extent of the infestation and curtail further damage to your property.
With these destructive pests eliminated, technicians can help with fixing damages caused.
Make Your Preferences Known to Your Pest Technician
After contacting your pest management service, you’ll do well to inform them about the nature of your problem. To have a better idea of the extent of the problem, an inspection visit is scheduled.
During an inspection, a deeper knowledge of the problem is gained.
However, you’ll have to make your treatment preferences known to the pest technician. Doing so allows them to consider your needs.
Also, you get to learn about the different natural termite treatments the company offers. The positives and downsides of each method are explained, thus helping you to go with what works.
Downsides to Chemical Termite Control
To fully appreciate organic termite control, you’ll need to understand the impact of chemical insecticides. There are multiple downsides to its use.
These include the usual high cost of termite treatment associated with it and the adverse environmental effect it’s known for. There’s also the safety risk.
Let’s take a look at these points.
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High Cost of Extermination
Compared to organic termite control, chemical treatments tend to be more expensive.
The reason is obvious; most natural or organic treatments use common items and ingredients found around the home. This is unlike the chemical insecticide products, which are costlier to manufacture.
Here are the cheapest termite treatment options.
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Adverse Environmental Effect
The negative environmental impact of chemical insecticides is well known. The residual effects of synthetic chemicals can continue to become problematic for a long time.
What more? Termites and other bugs might eventually develop resistance to pest chemicals. Beneficial organisms may also be affected.
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Risk to Safety
One primary adverse effect of chemical treatments on termites is the risks the user gets exposed to. Such problems are largely due to the misuse of pesticides.
Some amounts could find their way into water bodies and ultimately into food chains, thus leading to poisoning.
Organic Termite Control to the Rescue
When it comes to termite control using the organic option, the benefits can be significant.
Such must be properly applied to have a real shot at termite control. While organic control measures can be effective, they are devoid of all the problems associated with chemical control.
Here, there’s no need for expensive materials for treatment as most are obtained locally. If you’re concerned about the cost of treatment, this is one strategy to adopt as it tends to be cheaper yet effective for termite control.
10 Natural Termite Control Methods
With the idea provided above on the benefits of organic termite control, it’s necessary to consider the strategies or methods of control being used.
Some of these organic control methods include applying treatments like orange oil, borates, good-ole-sunshine, and the release of nematodes.
Other organic termite control measures you can apply include thermal treatment, liquid nitrogen, and electric shock treatments.
Asides from these organic termite control measures are preventive treatments which we will discuss after further elaborations of the above strategies.
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Cayenne Pepper
Although you can apply a common food ingredient, cayenne pepper, to other uses, including termite control, its secret lies in capsaicin’s active chemical that gives it its spicy properties.
This helps to damage the nervous systems of termites.
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Orange Oil
As the name implies, orange oil is derived from citrus fruits and is applied by spraying on or along with affected areas.
If properly done, single termite treatments using orange oil can remain effective for several months.
For best results, you’ll need to target all termite-infested areas.
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Borates
When it comes to using borates for termite treatment, you can choose either sodium borate or borax powder. This fine powder is sprinkled on termites as well as infested areas.
Borates can also be made into a solution and sprayed along affected areas.
This organic control strategy helps exterminate and also keeps termites at bay. In other words, you can use it for both termite extermination and prevention.
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Sunshine
The adoption of sunshine for termite control is one strategy that has remained reliable, especially when affected areas are exposed.
With direct sunlight introduced, termites lose bodily moisture, thus dying due to such. In the absence of sunlight, UV lamps could be of great help.
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Release of Nematodes
The use of nematodes for termite control is a biological approach to treatment that has proven really effective.
One of the best organic termite control strategies you can apply is the introduction of nematodes. These parasitic worms target and feed on termites.
All you need to do is identify a termite colony and introduce these parasitic worms. The good part is that termites hardly escape such an onslaught.
When applied properly, the whole termite colony is affected. It’s slow-acting and requires some patience for results to be visible.
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Cardboard Bait System
Have you ever heard of the cardboard bait system? As the name implies, cardboard is used as bait.
Termites are known to feast on all cellulose-containing items. So, you’ll have to place your cardboard around infested areas, and when these termites gather to feast on it, quickly take the cardboard out and burn it.
This method isn’t very reliable when dealing with a full-blown termite infestation. However, it might help in cases of smaller or mild infestations.
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Thermal Treatment
Have you ever considered a thermal treatment for termite problems?
As the name suggests, this strategy involves the application of heat with temperatures of around 120 degrees F.
You can use this in place of fumigation for termite treatment.
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Liquid Nitrogen
Though effective when applied to exposed termites, liquid nitrogen treatments can only do so much to solve your termite problems. This is best used for spot treatment rather than for eliminating termites out of reach.
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Electric Shocks
Another spot treatment you can use in place of liquid nitrogen is the application of electric shocks. Like most termite treatments, this is best applied by a pro.
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White Vinegar
White vinegar also serves to kill termites.
This natural product only needs to be mixed into a solution containing lemon. This mixture is emptied into a spray bottle and applied to the affected area.
You might want to target entry points on termite hills. We these areas as much as possible with your white vinegar spray.
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Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is one product that’s widely used on a variety of pests with significant results.
This fossilized algae product is sprinkled around termite-infested areas. It works by damaging the exoskeletons of termites, making them die of dehydration.
Organic Termite Prevention
The most comprehensive way to deal with a termite infestation is through prevention. Like the methods stated above, there are also organic prevention strategies that you can adopt.
These include digging a trench or barrier filled with a mixture of diatomaceous earth and sand and getting rid of mulch around your property.
Conclusion On Natural Termite Control Products
There are lots of natural products that you can apply for termite control.
These include cayenne pepper, boric acid, nematodes, and the cardboard bait system. Others include white vinegar, diatomaceous earth, orange oil, neem oil, and salt.
It’s important to discuss these with your pest technician to determine which would be more beneficial to your situation.
However, we must say that when it comes to getting long-lasting results, some of these techniques won’t be as effective. You’ll have to rely on the expertise of your pest technician for the best results.
There you go! With the organic termite control strategies mentioned above, you can beat back an existing infestation. Also included are simple preventive measures.