Termites are small pests that love wood, so they tend to destroy all your furniture and wooden items without even indicating their presence. It becomes really stressful to deal with them. If you've detected termites at your home and are trying to deal with them using salt, you must know its limitations as well. This article explains the effectiveness of salt against termites, the type of salt used to kill termites, methods of application, and the limitations of salt as a termite control option.
How is Salt Effective in Killing Termites?
Salt contains chloride and sodium, which work effectively in killing termites. When salt is ingested by termites, they get dehydrated and, as a result, collapse and die. Salt water acts as a toxic agent for termites and damages their digestive and neurological systems.
Different Salts for Different Areas
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Use Epsom Salt or Tablet Salt if you detect termites around the house.
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Use Rocky Salt if you don't want them to enter your house anyway.
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Use Borate Salt if termites already exist in the house, especially in wood.
Ways to Use Salt to Kill Termites
Use a syringe
Take a jar and mix equal quantities of salt and warm water in it. Now, fill this solution into a syringe and inject it into the affected spots.
Spray the Solution
Make a saltwater mixture and, with the help of a spray bottle, spray it all around the affected areas in your home.
Dry Salt
Use dry salt as a barrier for termites. Just sprinkle it all around the perimeter of your house, especially near the entry points, cracks and holes.
Wooden Stakes
Soak wooden stakes in salt water for some time, and put these stakes in the soil to act as bait. Termites get attracted to wood, ingest the salt and die.
Risks and Limitations of Salt as a Termite Control Method
Though salt is effective in killing some termites to some extent, it is not a complete solution and has some limitations.
Short-term Measure
Termites might be hiding deep in the soil or inside wood, where salt might not penetrate.
Restricted Reach
It is very hard to find out where the colony of termites reside as they are sometimes built behind the walls or under the ground.
Not EPA-Approved
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not registered salt as a termite killer. Hence, it is not a reliable pest control method to use.
Impacts Other Organisms
Excessive use of salt can not only kill termites but also harm other beneficial organisms in our environment.
Harm Plants and Degrades Soil
Excessive use of salt can cause a negative impact on plant growth and also lead to soil degradation.
Contaminates Water
Salt water can percolate with groundwater, making it contaminated for drinking.
Other Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Kill Termites
Here are a few natural alternatives that can be used to kill termites without harming the environment and your health.
Neem Oil- Neem oil has a bitter scent that termites hate. Using a syringe, inject the oil into the suspected areas. The effectiveness of Neem oil is not limited to killing termites, but it also keeps other insects away.
Clove Oil- In half a cup of water, put three drops of clove oil. Using a spray bottle, spray the mixture all over the affected spots. This works as an effective natural termite repellent.
Orange Oil- Orange oil contains dilimonine( a compound that pests can't tolerate), making it a powerful termite killer. In a spray bottle, pour water and a few drops of orange oil. Spray it over the affected areas.
Aloe Vera and Olive Oil- Mix olive oil and aloe vera, and apply this mixture to wooden surfaces. This creates a protective shield that repels termites.
Garlic Oil- Garlic works as a natural pest killer as they contain Sulphur compounds. In a spray bottle, mix a few drops of garlic oil with water and spray this mixture over affected areas, especially near cracks.
These essential oils and natural alternatives are eco-friendly options. However, they provide only short-term relief. Termites often make their colonies deep inside walls and wooden materials, making it impossible for you to tackle them with just natural alternatives. The right treatment of termites can help to get rid of them permanently.
Get Professional Help
Professional termite treatment is always the most effective way to get rid of termites permanently. They use techniques like fumigation, baiting systems and termiticides to remove their colony even from hidden areas. However, if you're tackling minor infestations, salt will help to get termites away from your home.
