Choosing the best termite treatment is no easy feat. We have done plenty of research and curated a detailed buying guide to help you make the best choice. Read this guide now.
It's critical to purchase a termite killer that fulfills your requirements. There are many different types of treatments that work in various ways; some products are clearly superior to others, but your decision should be based on your unique circumstances. What criteria do you use to determine which termite killer is best for you? Well, it depends on the severity of the termites, whether treatment is needed indoors or outside, and how much effort you're ready to put into utilizing the product.
What are some key considerations of buying the best termite treatments?
Chemicals & poison
Some termite killers are primarily used as bait, while others are used as repellents. Termite baits attract the pests, but they also contain poisons that kill them. Others will allow the termite to return to its colony and infect more termites, while others will kill the pests immediately. Termite repellents are made up of chemicals that keep termites at bay and keep them from entering your home. However, they will not eliminate the source of the problem because they will not kill the bugs. In most cases, it's preferable to use a termite-killing substance instead of termite repellents. The best pesticides are typically slow-acting, allowing the poisoned termites to distribute the chemical throughout the colony.
Investigating the source of the infestation
You must also decide whether you will use your termite killer inside or outside. If you discover termites outside, the first thing you should do is look for indicators of an infestation inside your home. You might hear soft clicking noises coming from your walls, or you might notice abandoned wings near your windows or doors. Apart from this, you may notice wood damage behind your walls or under your floors if the infestation is severe.
Some treatments are only intended for usage outside. These termite killers are effective at controlling outdoor termite infestations and preventing termites from entering your home. If your home is already infested, though, you'll need to purchase an indoor-only solution. If you have small children or pets, make sure you use a non-toxic brand. Because most products contain strong chemicals, you should be cautious at all times. However, some are safer to use indoors than others. Look for safety instructions on the package, and Google the active components to check if they're safe to use around children and pets. If you can't locate the information you need, contact the manufacturer before purchasing the item.
Termite killers: what are they and how do they work?
Liquid termiticides
Liquid barriers are the first type of barrier. Professionals will frequently dig a trench around the perimeter of your home and spray a liquid termiticide on it to create a protective barrier. Because these treatments are non-repellent, termites are unaware of them and take the poison back to the colony when they come across it.
Direct liquid treatment
Professionals cut holes into the woodwork and shoot foam into them or apply foam to existing cracks and crevices for direct liquid termiticide treatments known as "spot treatments." The foam operates similarly to other termite killers, poisoning the termites in the colony and killing them.
Baits
Termite baits are poison-filled traps discreetly placed around the perimeter of your property. Termites are attracted to the poisoned wood, cellulose, or paper used in the baits. Worker termites looking for food find it, consume it and bring the poison back to the colony, where it spreads to the rest of the colony and eventually kills them.
What are the most common ingredients in different termite killers?
Popular termite killers contain a variety of active chemicals, some of which work in different ways.
Fipronil
This white, moldy-smelling powder kills termites by causing their central nervous systems to malfunction. Termites perish very quickly due to fipronil.
Bifenthrin
This active ingredient is a pyrethroid insecticide, which means it's made up of compounds found naturally in Chrysanthemum flowers. Bifenthrin inhibits the function of termites' nerves, resulting in their death.
Imidacloprid
This termite killer works by imitating nicotine and disrupting a neural pathway, paralyzing the insect and killing it.
Hexaflumuron
This insect growth regulator prevents termites from building a new exoskeleton by slowing their growth. The queen is eventually sterilized, and the colony is extinguished.
What can the most effective termite killers cost?
Termites eat decaying matter. They wreak havoc on the timber. Whenever they come into contact with a wood surface, they cause damage. The termite first damages the wood from the outside, but as time passes the termite progresses to the inside of the wood, inflicting significant damage.
If left untreated, a termite can consume the entire piece of furniture, rendering it useless to the owner. As a result, treatment is highly suggested if you don't want your furniture or home's structure to be destroyed by termites. Termite killers are available in a variety of price ranges, outlined here:
Affordable
There are several options on the market, and quality termite killers can be found for as little as $15 to $40. Although affordable, they may not be the most effective.
Mid-range
Then there are the mid-priced items, which vary from $45 to $65 on the market. Although these termite killers are effective, the outcomes are not always immediate.
Expensive
Termite killers can also be found for as much as $80 or more. These are often non-toxic, work almost immediately, and provide the results you want.
Best Termite Treatments FAQs
Q: Is it possible for me to treat my property for termites myself?
A: There are many ways you can treat your property yourself. Termite-killing treatments can be applied to your home's outside, direct chemicals can be used on the inside, termite baiting can be set up, and boric acid can be sprayed on your floors and walls.
Q: Is it true that bleach kills termites?
A: Clorox bleach can be used to kill termites, so the answer is yes. Termites use microscopic holes in their exoskeleton to breathe, so when you spray a termite with bleach, the termite absorbs the bleach and dies.
Q: Is it possible to destroy termites using rubbing alcohol?
A: Rubbing alcohol is a contentious – but highly efficient – insecticide. Almost no insect known to science can develop a tolerance to rubbing alcohol's strong effects, and the substance is sure to kill termites if sprayed directly on them.