7 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Termites in India
According to ResearchGate, termites cause more than $40 billion in damage worldwide each year, with India alone losing over ₹290 crore annually on termite damage.
If you’re reading this, you have spotted termite damage in your house.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through 7 popular home remedies that can make a difference in your home.
Table of Contents
What are Termite & How do they spread?
You are searching for home remedies to get rid of termites. I think you’ve already spotted mud tunnels, hollow-sounding wood, or tiny flying insects in your home.
Termites may be quiet, but don’t be fooled. They hide deep, spread quickly, and cause serious damage before you even notice.
That’s exactly why most home remedies only cover surface level and fail to stop the real damage of termites.
Termites are often called the “silent destroyers” – and for a good reason. They can destroy wood, flooring without being detected for months, sometimes years. The United States Environmental Protection Agency published more details about how termites spread through houses.
3 Main Things that Attract Termites
1. Moisture
- Termites need moisture to survive, especially subterranean ones ( Very common in India )
2. Soil
- Subterranean termites live underground and build mud tunnels from the soil to your house.
3. Cellulose Materials
- Termites eat cellulose, the organic compound found in wood, cardboard, paper, cotton fabrics.
5 Signs for Termite Control
1. Mud Lines on Walls or Corners
You may see thin, dried mud tunnels on your walls or near the floor. Termites use these to travel without being seen. This is the common sign that everyone would notice.
2. Wood Sounds Empty When You Tap It
Knock on your wooden furniture or doors. If it sounds hollow or breaks easily, termites could be inside and have been eating it for days or months.
3. Flying Termites or Fallen Wings
Sometimes you’ll see small flying insects near lights. After flying, they drop their wings. Check your window sills or floor for tiny clear wings. This is called as winged termites earliest sign for termites.
4. Tiny Wood Powder on the Floor
You might notice something like fine sawdust near wooden things. That’s termite poop. It means they’re already inside.
5. Doors or Windows Feel Too Tight
If your doors or windows suddenly become hard to open or close, termites may be damaging the wood inside.
7 Home Remedies for Termites
1. Use Vinegar Spray
Vinegar is a common household item in Indian kitchens, often used for preserving food. While its direct impact on termites is very low, the ethanoic acid in vinegar can be effective in killing termites if sprayed correctly and consistently.
Items Needed:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (optional, but it helps enhance acidity)
- 1 spray bottle ( For Spraying )
How to Prepare:
- In an empty spray bottle.
- Pour 1 cup of white vinegar.
- Add 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice (optional – helps boost effectiveness and smell).
- Close the spray bottle and shake well to mix the solution. ( This is a must )
Usage:
How to Use: Spray directly on termite mud lines on the walls, wood surfaces, cracks, and mud lines.
Where to Use: Focus on door frames, windowsills, corners, baseboards, and any visible damage.
How Long to Use: Apply once daily for 5 to 7 days to see minor surface-level results.
2. Neem Oil
Neem oil is widely known and commonly used in India. It’s easily available across the country, and many of us are already familiar with its traditional uses. Especially for it’s natural remedies.
Items Needed:
- Cold-pressed Neem oil
- Water
- Spray bottle or cotton balls
How to Prepare :
- Take a clean spray bottle.
- Add 1 cup of water and 10–15 drops of cold-pressed neem oil.
- Shake the bottle well until the oil is evenly mixed.
Usage:
- How to Use: Spray on wood or apply with cotton in cracks where termite damage occurred.
- Where to Use: On furniture, doors, and corners where you see termites.
- How Long to Use: Use daily for 7 to 10 days to see some smaller results.
3. Orange Oil
Items Needed:
- 100% pure orange oil (with d-limonene)
- Spray bottle or syringe ( Easily available on Indian Medical Shops )
How to Prepare:
- Add 15–20 drops of pure orange oil into a small spray bottle (around 100 ml of water, if you choose to dilute).
- For direct use, you can also fill a syringe with undiluted orange oil.
- Shake gently before each use to mix evenly.
But, I personally recommend using a syringe and undiluted orange oil for better results.
Usage:
- How to Use: Spray or inject the oil directly into cracks, holes, or mudlines in the wall areas in your home.
- Where to Use: On furniture, wooden panels, and small holes where termites are visible.
- How Long to Use: Use once daily for 5 to 7 days to kill surface termites.
4. Liquid Soap + Sugar Water
Items Needed:
- 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- Spray bottle
How to Prepare:
- Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.
- Pour in 1 cup of warm water.
- Shake the bottle well until fully mixed and slightly foamy.
Usages:
- How to Use: Spray directly on termites, the mix suffocates them, and the sugar helps attract them.
- Where to Use: On wood surfaces, floor corners, behind furniture, or near termite trails.
- How Long to Use: Use once or twice daily for 10 to 12 days to see some results.
5. Borax Method ( Sodium Borate )
Items Needed:
- 1 tablespoon borax powder ( Easily available on amazon.in )
- 1 cup warm water
- Spray bottle
How to Prepare:
- Take a clean spray bottle.
- Add 1 tablespoon of borax powder into it. ( Use it safely )
- Pour in 1 cup of warm water.
Usage:
- How to Use: Spray directly on wooden surfaces, cracks, or termite mud lines on the walls.
- Where to Use: Use on furniture, walls, baseboards, or any area where termites are seen.
- How Long to Use: Spray once a day for 7 to 10 days to temporarily reduce the termite activity.
6. Cardboard Trap Method
Items Required:
- Two pieces of flat cardboard
- Water
How to Prepare:
- Take 2 pieces of cardboard and lay them flat.
- Lightly wet both pieces with water (just enough to make them wet).
- Stack one piece on top of the other.
Usage:
- How to Use: Place the wet cardboard trap where termites are active. Once termites gather on it, remove the cardboard and burn it carefully.
- Where to Use: Near walls, furniture, or dark corners where you’ve seen termite signs.
- How Long to Use: Leave the trap for 1 to 2 days, then check.
After the cardboard is infected by termites, burn the cardboard carefully.
Repeat this process as needed.
7. Boric Acid Method
Use with care. Keep away from children and pets.
Items Needed:
- Boric acid
- Sugar (optional)
- A spoon or small container
- Gloves (for safety)
How to Prepare:
- Mix 2 parts boric acid powder with 1 part sugar in a small bowl or container.
- Do not add water and keep it dry.
- Wear gloves while preparing and using the powder.
It attacks the central nervous system of termites and makes them die. Professional termite treatments attack the nervous system of termites 100x better.
Usages:
- How to Use: Sprinkle the dry mixture lightly near the termite entry and exit points. Do not spray or mix with water.
- Where to Use: Around wooden furniture, behind cabinets, floor corners, cracks, and near termite trails.
- How Long to Use: Leave it for 7 to 10 days. Reapply if the powder gets wet or blown away.
Ranking Top 3 Home Remedies for Termites
| Rank | Method | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Boric Acid | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) |
| 2️⃣ | Orange Oil | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) |
| 3️⃣ | Cardboard Trap | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) |
You might wonder why even the top-ranking remedies have low ratings.
The truth is they simply don’t compare to professional termite control services. I’m being completely honest throughout this blog, and while these methods may help a little, they’re no match for what a full treatment can do.
You Can Also Read : How long does a Termite Treatment last?
Conclusion
I’m Being Honest, DIY Isn’t Enough
Some of these home remedies may give temporary results. They might kill a few termites you see on the surface. But none of them can stop a colony hiding deep inside your walls or under the soil.
I’m here to help, not scare.
– Jabesh, Termite Control Expert, DMJ Pest Control Chennai.
Need Termite or Pest Control in Chennai?
If you are looking for pest control in chennai.
We are DMJ Pest Control, based in Chennai, and we specialize in powerful, long-lasting termite control solutions in Chennai.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Only professional termite control services can kill termites instantly and eliminate the entire colony effectively.
Orange oil is the most effective home remedy for termites in wood, as it kills them on contact when applied directly into infested areas.
Borax spray and vinegar can help on the surface, but termites deep inside walls usually require professional treatment to fully eliminate the colony.
Any queries related this blog drop an email at jabesh@dmjpestcontrol.com
