How to get rid of termites in your house

There is nothing worse than realising that your beautiful house is infested with termites. These little creatures can cause a lot of damage to your wooden furniture and, due to their secretive nature, it’s not always easy to spot them. Here we explain how to get rid of termites in the house or a flat as well as the key preventative things you can do to get rid of termites for good.

You will need:

• cardboard
• Orange oil
• Neem oil

How to get rid of termites in the home: home remedies for termites

1. Orange oil

   This contains a substance called d-limonene which termites hate. Apply to any areas where you've seen termites, or where they are likely to appear, using an old cloth. Use generously.

2. Neem oil

   This oil may not be as widely available as orange oil but it’ll do the job just as well. It has a strange smell which repels all sorts of pests including termites - use it to wipe down surfaces in your home.

3. Old cardboard

   This is an old remedy but a good one. Leave old cardboard near where the termites have been living and they’ll be attracted there instead. Then you can just dump them outside.

How to get rid of termites in walls and furniture: professional remedies for termite infestations

If you're wondering how to get rid of termites in walls and furniture then there are two main solutions. These are most effective on large termite infestations where time is of the essence.

1. Call the experts: We strongly recommend you call in pest removers for any large termite invasions. They’ll either be able to sort the problem themselves or give you some helpful advice.

2. Try household chemicals: If you want to use dedicated pest control solutions, some household chemicals like Diatomaceous or Borax can be a fast and effective answer to your termite problem. Follow all safety advice given and keep well out of reach of children or family pets.

Preventing termites in the house

Of course, removing termites is only half the battle - you also need to prevent termite infestations! Here's how to do it:

• These little creatures tend to crawl from the soil into wood so start by minimising any contact between these materials.

• Termites also like moisture so lower the humidity in your home to create a more hostile environment for termites. 

• Check wooden furniture regularly for termites and deal with any problems as soon as they're spotted.

Now you have our top tips to termite removal, you can hopefully keep these pests out of your property. If termites cause damage to your home before you spot them then be sure to read our article on wood furniture restoration so you’ll know how to fill in cracks, sand down, and varnish to repair the damage.