How to Drown Termites

How to Drown Termites
Written By
Charong Chow
Charong Chow
Published: Jul 24, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Liquid detergent
  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Garden pump sprayer
  • Leaf blower
  • Drill
  • 1/2-inch drill bit
  • Orange oil
  • Syringe

Orange oil will work on dry-wood termites.

  1. Mix one part liquid detergent to four parts water in a bucket. This solution will help drown subterranean termites, which live underground. They build mud tunnels to get into the wood below your home.

  2. Pour the soapy water solution into a garden pump sprayer. Set the garden sprayer to mist and douse the termites' mud tunnels.

  3. Turn the leaf blower on low and point the mist into the termite tunnels. Leave it on for four hours. Repeat in different areas where termite tunnels are found.

  4. Drill into infested wood where dry-wood termites are. Use a 1/2-inch drill bit. Drilling into the wood breaks into the termites' tunnel system. Add orange oil. Drill roughly every 5 inches and repeat.

  5. Inject the orange oil into the drilled areas with a syringe, Orange oil can be purchased at stores which sell eco-friendly pesticides. Syringes can be purchased with the orange oil. Or, use the largest plastic syringe available at medical supply stores.

  6. Fill all the drilled holes with the orange oil and reapply after two hours. It may take up to five days for all the termites to die, according to a June 2007 study in "Household and Structural Insects."

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Charong Chow

Charong Chow has been writing professionally since 1995. Her work has appeared in magazines such as "Zing" and "Ocean Drive." Chow graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. She also received a Bachelor…

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