Salt Treatment for Termites

Termites are wood-eating insects that can wreak extensive damage to a home or building. If your home becomes infested with termites, the cost to treat your home and control termites can be expensive and time-consuming. As an alternative or preferably in partnership with using a professional termite exterminator, the use of inexpensive and ordinary table salt has been mentioned as a solution to get rid of termites.

Salt alone is not recommended as a treatment to rid your home of termites if it is infested. The use of a table salt solution, however, is a natural, chemical-free treatment option to use in tandem with a professional extermination service or if you suspect termites could be a potential threat. Salt can actually kill termites but will typically not be enough to eliminate a problem altogether.

Table salt can be used as a preventative step to keep termites at bay. If your home has any splits or cracks that could be entry points for termites, prepare and spray a salt solution on those areas to minimize the risk. The salt solution will need to be reapplied periodically to be effective. Carefully inspect your home around the ground but also look at your crawlspace or basement areas.

Making a salt solution that is then sprayed or injected to target areas to help protect your home from termites is easy to do. Simply utilize table salt and only enough hot water to dissolve the salt completely. Don't over-dilute the mixture or you will diminish its effectiveness. The amount of salt you will need will depend on what size of area you wish to treat.

You can apply the salt solution to cracks or openings in any way that gets the job done. Consider mixing the solution in a bucket and then spraying it utilizing a small siphon. You also can use a syringe, a baster or even a garden hose with a spray nozzle.

There are many telltale signs of termite damage other than seeing the insects themselves. Look for mud tubes or insect body parts such as wings. Wood that has been damaged by termites will have a hollow sound to it or may appear to have a slight grayish film on it. Wood also may be brittle.

While spraying a salt mixture may help to prevent termites, there are many other measures homeowners can do to minimize the risk. Be sure to take care of any moisture problems such as leaking water pipes or faucets, as termites are attracted to water. Keep water from pooling around your foundation. Don't allow soil or mulch to build up over the concrete pad and have contact with wood siding. Don't stack firewood next to your house. Keep brush cleared and don't allow bushes to get overgrown around your exterior.

Boric acid is used in many household items, like detergents and eye drops, and is typically considered less toxic to use than table salt. Salt of boric acid also is used to abate termites along with other preventative measures. Boric acid salt is a primary ingredient found in over-the-counter termite extermination mixtures and is sometimes added to specially packaged mulch to serve as a deterrent to termites.