How To Get Rid Of Termites On Wooden Furniture

by Shreya Bilagi | August 7, 2020 | 6 mins read

Ideas to get rid of wood termites in your home

Get to know some hacks on termite treatment for wood. Read now and find an end to your termite tantrums.

Some termites knocked on wood, tasted it and found it good. Now they decided to make it their home forever. Termites are nasty pests and can be a pain to get rid of. We at DesignCafe have come up with some effective solutions on termite treatment for wood. Rather read than regret, especially if you have a termite fest!

Want To Know How To Detect Termites In Wood- Here Is Your Answer

It’s hard to detect termites in wood and sometimes don’t even show up on the surface. These creatures, however, make a noise. They are munchers, but you need to pay attention when it’s all quiet. Do you hear anything sounding weird or off within your home if so time might be time for a termite check. Termites leave dark coloured droppings called frass. It is often black and mistaken for ordinary dirt. Also, dry-wood mites leave dents in wood like little tunnels as they eat the wood. However, if you see an area with endless dirt piling up then it’s time to investigate. Do you see any cracks blisters on your wooden floors or furniture? If your answer is yes then you might be dealing with a termite infestation. Beware of the window ceiling. Termites leave behind their wings as they won’t need them. So if you see a pair of wings the same size equal in length and not a narrow waist well then it is a termite, not an ant. Seeing paint bubble off or crack? Well that is a sign too.

Detect termites eating wood in your wooden bedroom and get rid of it.
A bedroom with wooden flooring and panelling with a wooden bed.

Time To Know How To Get Rid Of Termites In Wood

A question often asked is “How to get rid of termites on wood?” Well, let us tell you how. Bait is the most common type of chemical solution used to remove termites. Bait is set around the area of the colony that termites tend to feed off and they eventually die. Other standard chemical solutions that are used to get these pests out of your way are termite control products like Fipronil, Imidacloprid that are known to be non-repellant in nature and have been known to work effectively.

Use termite spray for wood to get rid off in the hall with Victorian designed furniture and Chesterfield sofa.
A hall with Victorian designed furniture in wood and Chesterfield sofa
Modular home interiors that are easy to clean and maintain

Home Remedies For Termites In Wood

A lot of clients have this question in their mind – “What is the fastest way to get rid of termites?” 

Here are some home remedies for termites in wood that you could shoo off in a couple of days. Come, let us take you through.

  1. Orange Oil: It has an active compound present within it known as d-limonene that has been effective in that killing dry wood termites. All you have to do is rub some orange oil to the infected area or in certain cases inject the oil into your wooden furniture that’s gone hollow for several days before you see the results. 
  2. Neem Oil: This is another oil that is known to kill termites. It might be slow, but it is effective. Termites will die when they come in direct contact of neem oil, so make sure to apply where there is an infestation.
  3. Soapy Water: This is one of the easiest home remedies to keep your termites aways. All you have to do is add two spoons of dishwashing liquid to water. Now put this solution into a spray bottle and spray your termites away. 
  4. Salt: Add equal parts of salt and water in a vessel stir till all the salt is dissolved. Inject the water out and into the infected parts 
  5. Cayenne Pepper: Kills termites so don’t be afraid to generously sprinkle some Cayenne Pepper where there is a termite infestation
  6. Wet Cardboard Trap: A smart and non-toxic way to kill termites is the wet cardboard trap. Weta cardboard, place close to the area that you think is infested and the termites will start feeding off it. Now once you find the termites out and feed off the box take it out and burn it.
  7. Sunlight- Termites hate sunlight and die when exposed to high UV rays, so try placing your furniture out in the sun for two to three days.

So these are some easy and effective ways which you can treat dry wood termites yourself..

Home remedy for termites in wood to get rid off in the wooden kitchen interior.
A simple single-walled kitchen with wooden interiors and a railing to hang oven gloves

Termite Resistant Wood That You Can Use

There are options for you to use termite-resistant wood. One type of wood is chemically treated wood. This type of wood is pressure-treated with a chemical preservative that soaks deep into the pores forming an effective chemical barrier against insects and natural decay. The two most common types of treated wood are known to be Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) and Copper Boron Azole (CBA).

The second kind of wood that can be used, known as termite-resistant wood, is naturally resistant to termites and other insects. If you’re concerned about using wood that has been treated with chemicals, you try using these types of wood cedar, cypress and redwood. 

Use termite resistant wood in the walk-in wardrobe to get rid of termite.
A vertical wall in the wardrobe made from dark wood with storage space on either side.

How You Can Repair Termite Damaged Wood

Termite damage will leave your furniture looking wavy, blistered or hollow. You can see the bite marks too. You must be wondering how you can repair termite damaged wood, isn’t it? Well, there is definitely a way to do that, but we suggest that before you repair it let a pest control professional take a look and make sure the termite infestation is extinct.

Termite treatment for wood damaged in the wardrobe, use a wood hardener to fill gaps of bite marks.
A perfect freestanding wardrobe in beech wood with zero damage and a variety of storage options inside

After a professional gives you a thumbs up, then the easiest way you could repair termite damaged furniture would be by using a wood hardener. This helps fill gaps. Now let it dry before you surface the furniture to level up. 

Also, check out How To Keep Your Home Clean And Safe During COVID-19

Shreya Bilagi is a content writer at Design Cafe home interiors blog.

Shreya Bilagi

Shreya Bilagi is a content writer at Design Cafe who has a creative and adventurous personality. She has worked in the media for the past four years starting off as a Radio Jockey with Radio Mirchi and later an anchor on television. Her love for dogs is infinite. Art and culture, spirituality, theatre, travelling, Netflix and wine all fall under her circle of passion.

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