Termites in furniture is a serious threat that must be resolved immediately, as these destructive pests can do irreparable damage to wooden items in homes.
Monitor for signs of termite infestation such as termite wings shed on furniture or pinholes in wood, as well as signs such as mud tubes connecting back to their colony.
Neem oil is one of the most effective natural remedies against termite infestation, as its constituent d-limonene can come into direct contact with termites and kill them off quickly. You can apply it repeatedly on wooden furniture to rid yourself of these pests.
Boric acid can also help naturally eradicate termites by attacking their nervous systems and killing them off. You can find this product at any hardware store; be sure to wear protective gear while handling this chemical product, though.
Some wood polishes also contain termite-repelling agents that create an anti-termite layer on wood surfaces that protect it against termites. Others even boast termite resistance properties requiring no regular applications.
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral with multiple uses, from cleaning to fighting termites. Additionally, it serves as a whitening agent, water softener and detergent booster in laundry wash cycles; additionally it adds natural fragrance.
Borax powder can be purchased in hardware stores and online retailers as an effective, chemical-free pesticide alternative that works by killing off termites that consume it. Apply directly to termite colonies or use in solutions on wood surfaces in your house.
To make a borax solution, pour 1 tablespoon of borax into a jar with a lid and combine it with two cups of boiling water, shaking until all of the borax has been completely dissolved. Next, add 1 teaspoon of sugar and combine well - this mixture should form small marble-sized balls of dough which you should place around areas in which there may be termite infestation.
Aloe vera is a natural plant with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making its juice an ideal way to protect furniture against termite infestation. Apply a generous layer of aloe vera gel directly onto furniture pieces or soak cotton balls in it and place them around the house - ensure it's pure aloe vera gel for this use - products sold at stores may contain added chemicals and fragrances which could interfere with its effects.
Termites prefer dark and moist areas, so exposing furniture with termite infestation to sunlight should help kill them off. You could also place the infested piece in the freezer for 2-3 days to hasten their demise.
Boric acid can also help safeguard against termite infestation. This cost-effective and rapid solution works by inhibiting their absorption of nutrients; effectively starving termites no matter how much wood they consume. You can find boric acid at most hardware stores. Parasitic nematodes could also help as they feed off body fluids produced by pests while simultaneously attacking colonies.
Salt is one of the best solutions to controlling termites, thanks to its ability to decrease moisture content that termites need for survival in wood structures. Furthermore, salt dehydrates infested timber so as to make it unattractive to them and their colonies.
One effective way of preventing termites in furniture is to inspect it regularly for signs of infestation and damage. Signs of termite activity include small pellets (frass) that resemble sawdust and cracks in the wood. Should these appear, immediate action must be taken.
If you detect any of the above signs, it is wise to employ termite control products like orange oil or neem oil as they will help destroy termites while keeping them away from furniture. Diatomaceous earth, an organic powder made of fossilized algae that features sharp edges capable of puncturing exoskeletons of termites causing their death, may also help.
