How To Get Rid of Termites

In This Article: Step-By-Step Guide | The Bottom Line | FAQs | Methodology

Termite infestations require fast action: These pests can cause damage worth thousands of dollars in repairs. Some do-it-yourself (DIY) methods can control minor infestations, but hiring a professional pest control service is best in most cases.

We at the Home Media reviews team have analyzed the termite treatment plans and products of the best pest control companies in the United States. This guide explains how to address an infestation step-by-step and provides recommendations for professional exterminators.

How Do I Get Rid of Termites?

There are various methods to get rid of termites depending on the type and scale of the infestation. Below is a step-by-step approach.

Steps 1: Determine If You Have an Infestation

Begin by determining whether you're facing a termite or flying ant infestation. The pests are often confused with one another because they both have wings and antennae. However, termites cause more severe damage than flying ants. Below are the most common signs of termites: 

Clicking: You may hear a clicking sound inside your walls because termites bang their heads against the wood and shake their bodies to signal danger to other termites.
Frass: Termite droppings, or frass, have an oval shape and look like small grains. You can spot these droppings around baseboards, windowsills, door frames and other wood surfaces.
Hollow wood: Termites hollow out your wood as they eat away at it. If you knock on your wood and hear a hollow or light thudding sound, it may indicate termite damage. You can also press a screwdriver into the wood; if it gives easily, you have an infestation. 
Live termites: You'll know you have a termite infestation if you see the pests yourself. Termites have thick abdomens, straight antennae and four even-sized wings. Flying ants are thinner and have bent antennae. They also have four wings, but one pair is larger than the other.
Mud tubes: Subterranean termites create centimeter-wide pathways called mud tubes that connect their wood food source to their home in the soil. You'll notice these around the surface of your property. 
Peeling paint: Termites allow moisture to enter the space between paint and the wall's surface. This moisture causes paint to bubble or peel.
Wings: When subterranean termites create a new colony, they shed their wings in piles. You may notice these around the house.

Step 2: Determine the Type of Termite

There are two types of termites: subterranean and drywood. Each type of termite requires different extermination methods. It's also possible to simultaneously experience an infestation from both types of termites. Here are some tips for identifying the termite problem you're facing.

Drywood termites: The key difference between subterranean and drywood termites is that drywood termites live in wood, while subterranean termites live underground and tunnel into your home through mud tubes. Drywood termites are also larger than subterranean termites, fluctuating from one-eighth to one-half of an inch. They range in color from deep yellow to light brown. Drywood termites have small colonies of up to 2,500 members. They typically live in warm, coastal areas such as California, Florida and Hawaii.
Subterranean termites: Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite. According to Orkin, they're responsible for 95% of the termite damage in the U.S. Subterranean termites are one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch long and narrow. They can be white, black, brown or pale cream in color. Subterranean termite colonies are massive, ranging from 100,000 to 1 million members.

Step 3: Get Rid of the Termites

You can try various methods to treat a termite infestation yourself, from chemicals to organic options. Drywood and subterranean termites require different treatments, so it's important to know which kind of infestation you're facing.

Getting Rid of Subterranean Termites

Here are some common ways to get rid of subterranean termites. 

Chemicals: You can use chemicals such as Termidor Foam as spot treatments in the cracks and crevices of your home. The foam expands and then evaporates, leaving behind a residue that poisons termites as soon as they touch it. This treatment lasts for around a month. 
Nematodes: Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that are natural parasites of termites and other pests. They burrow into their host and release a symbiotic gut bacteria. This poisons the termites' blood, killing them within days. You can find beneficial nematodes online or in stores. To use them, apply a mixture of nematodes, potting soil and cold water to infested areas of your lawn and garden.
Termite Baits: Termite bait stations are one of the most popular termite treatments. You install these bait traps around the perimeter of your home's foundation. The bait systems attract and poison termites, interrupting their growth and killing them as they try to molt. Bait systems use delayed action, so infected termites bring the insecticide back to their colony and transmit it to other termites.
Termiticide: You may be able to purchase professional-grade termite treatments, such as liquid Taurus SC and Termidor SC, depending on where you live. You cannot use this treatment inside your home. Instead, apply it to your home's exterior perimeter to create a barrier. As with termite bait stations, termites will unknowingly pass the termiticide to other termites and die. Over time, this kills the colony.

Getting Rid of Drywood Termites

Read some of the treatment methods for drywood termites below.

Essential oils: Orange oil and neem oil can slowly kill termites, stopping their ability to shed their skin or lay eggs over time. Mix two cups of water, a couple drops of dish soap and around 10 drops of your chosen oil. Shake the mixture and spray it on infested wood and materials.
Termiticide: Drill holes and fill them with treatments to attack infested areas directly. First, drill holes roughly every 10 inches in the termite-infested wood. You will feel resistance once you hit the nest. Fill the holes with termiticide, then apply a putty or wood patch to seal them.

Step 4: Prevent Future Infestations

Once your termite problem is under control, you should take steps to prevent future infestations. Here are some of the most common preventative measures.

Check your plumbing: Subterranean termites thrive on moisture, so get your plumbing checked routinely to avoid leaks. You especially want to check your roof and air conditioner.
Fill in crevices: Caulk and seal openings in your foundation or any places where pipes meet the wall. Also, seal windows and doors. 
Gutter cleaning: Clean your gutters frequently to prevent the buildup of damp debris. You may want to invest in a gutter guard to protect your gutter system from debris and pests. 
Mulch: Subterranean termites need soil. Certain types of mulch may contain wood, so look for yard materials such as rubber or gravel instead.
Professional inspections: Regular inspections from a professional pest control provider are the most effective prevention method for termites.
Wood management: Termites are attracted to the cellulose in wood. Watch where you stack firewood or wood for building projects. Make sure to leave around 6 inches between your porch, patio and the ground. Use termite-resistant wood, such as yellow cedar or mahogany, when possible.

The Bottom Line: Do You Need Professional Termite Treatment?

We recommend hiring a professional pest control service if you think you have termites. Termites are difficult to treat and can quickly destroy your home's foundation. The DIY methods listed above may help with small colonies or short-term control, but compared to professional equipment, products and expertise, they might cost you more in the long run.

Professional pest control companies know how to identify a colony and create a treatment plan tailored to your infestation. If your infestation is large, you may have to hire a professional for fumigation. Below are our top recommendations for pest control companies with termite services. 

Orkin

Pricing: $550–$860 annually
State availability: 47 (excludes Alaska, South Dakota and Wyoming)

Orkin Pros receive more than 160 hours of instruction in their first year to ensure the quality of service. They're trained at a 30,000-square-foot facility in Georgia that has a full-size model home to practice pest control techniques, including termite treatment. The company offers comprehensive general pest control plans, unique attic insulation, and lawn treatment services. Orkin also offers same-day service for pest emergencies, such as termites.

Get a quote: Fill out Orkin's online form or call 1-877-868-1416.

Terminix

Pricing: $455–$750 annually
State availability: 45 (excludes Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Vermont)

Terminix has more than 95 years of experience in the pest control business and a widespread network of licensed pest experts. Before completing any termite services, a Terminix technician visits your home to perform a thorough inspection and build a custom plan. Terminix also guarantees free reservicing if pests return between scheduled visits. 

Get a quote: Fill out Terminix's online form or call 1-866-569-4035.

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Pest Control Companies

The Home Media reviews team aims to provide objective reviews by compiling relevant information and rating pest control companies on factors that matter most to consumers.

To guide our recommendations, we crafted a rating system on a 100-point scale based on the following factors. We then divided the points earned for each provider's final score on a 5-point scale.

Plan options (35 points): We awarded companies with full points if they offered general pest control, termite treatment, bedbug removal and mosquito treatment.
Customer service (25 points): We awarded full points to companies that offered 24/7 customer service and provided multiple forms of communication, such as online and phone quotes and online chat options. We gave fewer points to companies with limited service hours and communication channels.
Guarantees (10 points): Pest control companies that provide satisfaction and money-back guarantees to their customers received more points than companies that didn't offer guarantees, as this indicates a high level of concern for customer experience.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating (5 points): BBB ratings are based on publicly available information that the BBB obtains from a company and the number of complaints received from the public. We gave more points to companies with high BBB ratings than companies with low BBB ratings.
Years in business (5 points): Established companies with decades of experience received points for their expertise and widespread state availability.
Pricing (20 points): We awarded higher points to companies whose general plans fell under $50 per month, based on our secret-shopping process for homes around the country. Additionally, we awarded points to providers with flexible payment options, such as monthly, quarterly or annual payments. Companies also received credit for discounted initial treatments, as these first visits can often be more expensive than subsequent treatments.

After examining each provider's website, we spoke with representatives from each company to get more insight on coverage, treatments and pricing. To get a sense of customer satisfaction, we read hundreds of third-party customer reviews across multiple sites to determine the most common concerns, benefits and additional feedback. We also surveyed 1,000 consumers who had hired pest control companies to better understand their experiences and the services that are most important to them.

Through our secret-shopping process, we gathered cost information for various treatment types and payment options, simulating a real customer experience. Finally, we considered the company's money-back and reservicing guarantees for reliability.

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