If you see flying termites around your home that is an early sign of an oncoming termite problem. You want to get rid of them as soon as possible before they become a full-blown termite colony and infestation. If you don’t want to use chemicals, there are some ways to get rid of flying termites naturally. Here are the most effective ones.
Wait, what are flying termites?
But what are flying termites in the first place? And how do they differ from flying ants? Flying termites are reproductive termites that leave their original nest to establish a new one. Their presence could mean that there is a mature termite colony nearby and that some of its termites are looking for a new home, potentially your property.
Flying termites and flying ants may look similar to untrained eyes. But there are key differences to make differentiation easier. Flying termites are brown. Flying ants can be brown too, but they are commonly black or red. Also, flying termites come in swarms. You will see them buzzing around light sources after the rain. But you will see flying ants around food sources instead.
Termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage a year. Though flying termites are not structurally dangerous to your home, they are the foundations of termite colonies that are. Get rid of them as soon as you can.
Why you don’t want to rely on natural termite control methods
Sure, you can get rid of flying termites naturally. But many of these natural termite control methods have limited effectiveness. They require ingredients that are not specifically made for termite control. It’s still better to get rid of termites, flying or otherwise, with more conventional methods, as these methods are designed and formulated specifically for that purpose.
There are many conventional methods out there, such as the use of bait systems, fumigant gases, liquid termiticides, and physical barriers. Unfortunately, many of these methods are only accessible to pest control professionals.
Termites are complex pests. You may want to leave it to pest control professionals and avoid DIY and natural methods.
How to get rid of flying termites naturally
If you still want to try to get rid of flying termites naturally, here are the strongest natural methods.
1. Practice proper home maintenance
Create a less hospitable environment for flying termites to prevent them from thriving on your property. Termites like moisture, so that’s the first one you have to limit. Fix all water-related issues, especially those related to plumbing and ventilation.
Plumbing issues like leaks and ventilation issues like improper ventilation can lead to moisture buildup. And usually, this buildup happens in areas you don’t check every day, like your attics, basements, foundations, and gutters.
Other things you should look into are wooden structures. Replace damaged or rotting wood. If possible, apply termite repellents to them as well to make them more termite-resistant, but this doesn’t necessarily scream “natural.”
2. Attract natural predators
Natural predators can help contain flying termite populations. Attract them and let them do the dirty work. Some of the safest predators you can attract are ants and birds. Some ant species, especially ground-dwelling ants, prey on termites, including flying ones. Birds such as swallows, starlings, and woodpeckers, are known to be natural termite predators as well.
You can attract ants and birds by avoiding the use of pesticides, which can affect the biodiversity on your property. You can also provide them with food and water, such as in the form of bird feeders. Just be careful because these open food and water sources can attract other pests like squirrels. If you are interested in gardening, you can also grow vegetation to provide shelter for these natural predators.
3. Buy beneficial nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are microscopic roundworms that parasitize and kill insects like flying termites. They are the natural enemies of flying termites, so they can effectively reduce the populations of these pests. They do so by going inside the termites’ bodies and killing them from the inside.
You can buy beneficial nematodes from garden centers and supply stores. Follow the instructions. Usually, you have to mix them with water and spray them around the soil where the termites and flying termites are.
4. Make essential oil sprays
Some essential oils contain natural insecticidal properties. You can use them to repel flying termites. Some of these essential oils are clove, peppermint, and neem. Simply dilute the essential oil of your choice in water or a carrier oil like coconut oil. And then put the resulting solution in a spray bottle. Spray on areas with flying termite activity.
Take note that essential oils are not likely to kill flying termites. They will only repel them. They will not completely get rid of termite infestations.
5. Mix a vinegar-water solution
Vinegar can also get rid of flying termites naturally because of its acetic acid content. Like essential oils, you should dilute vinegar in water first. And then put the solution in a spray bottle and spray away.
There are other ingredients you can dilute in water to create a spray solution for flying termites. But be careful in the suggestions you read about online. They are mostly not effective. For example, many articles out there say that you can use baking soda since it’s a biopesticide, but it actually can’t kill termites.
6. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from the fossilized remains of microscopic algae with hard shells. When you sprinkle them on insects such as flying termites, they dehydrate them, damage their exoskeletons, and eventually kill them. You can say that diatomaceous earth is a physical insecticide. And it’s not toxic to humans and pets. It’s a great way to get rid of flying termites naturally without the baggage of toxicity that comes with commercial insecticides.
Simply sprinkle diatomaceous earth on areas infested with flying termites. And reapply when it gets removed or wet. Even if the natural remedy is non-toxic, take safety precautions. Wear a mask to avoid inhaling the stuff and irritating your respiratory system.
There are more effective ways to get rid of flying termites
Flying termites are essentially the beginning of new termite infestations. You can try getting rid of them naturally with predators and sprays. But there are more conventional and effective ways to get rid of them. You can also just call pest control professionals. They will be able to help not just in getting rid of flying termites, but also in preventing them from coming back.