What Kind of Vinegar Kills Termites? and Other Home Remedies

If you’ve searched online asking “does vinegar kill termites?”, you’ve come to the right place. Vinegar is one natural option that can be effective against termites in certain situations.

Have you noticed signs of a termite infestation in your home, like little piles of sawdust near wood beams or the walls? Subterranean termites can do serious damage to your house and as a homeowner you want to get rid of them fast. But you don’t want to use harsh chemical pesticides if you can avoid it. You may be wondering: what kind of vinegar kills termites?

Vinegar is an effective natural pesticide that can eliminate termites without exposing your family and pets to dangerous toxins. In this article, you’ll learn all about using vinegar as a DIY termite treatment. We’ll go over:

• The different types of vinegar that repel and kill termites
• How to make and apply your own vinegar termite spray
• Tips for getting the most out of vinegar for termite control
• When you may need to use other methods along with vinegar
• FAQs about vinegar and termites

So if you want to get rid of termites naturally with the power of vinegar, keep reading!

What Are Termites and Why Get Rid of Them?

Termites are small insects that feed on wood. There are different species of termites, but they all rely on eating cellulose from wood sources.

These pests live in colonies that can grow quite large. A termite colony needs a constant wood food source to survive. So once they invade your home, they start munching on wooden structural beams, floors, furniture, and more.

This can cause extensive damage. Termites destroy wood from the inside out, so you may not notice them until your wood develops cracks or starts to crumble. But by then, the infestation is already advanced.

Letting a termite infestation go unchecked puts your home at risk. Pest control experts estimate termites cause over $5 billion in property damage every year in the United States.

So what are the signs of termites? Here’s what to look for:

• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
• Little piles of sawdust near wood sources
• Shelter tubes along walls, beams, or the foundation
• Termite droppings that look like coffee grounds
• Damaged wood that crumbles easily

If you notice these signs, take action right away. Eliminating the termites quickly will prevent further damage.

Why Use Vinegar for Termite Control?

Vinegar is an effective natural pesticide. Depending on the type, it can kill and repel termites in your home.

Here are some key benefits of using vinegar instead of toxic chemical pesticides:

1. It’s non-toxic.

Vinegar is safe for people, pets, and the environment. You don’t have to worry about your family being exposed to harsh chemicals.

2. It’s inexpensive and readily available.

You can easily find vinegar at any grocery store for a low cost. There’s no need to buy expensive commercial pesticides.

3. It can kill termites on contact.

Certain types of vinegar are acidic enough to kill termites when sprayed directly on them. This gives you a serious weapon against the termite colony.

4. It repels termites.

Vinegar releases fumes that naturally deter termites. They don’t like the strong scent and avoid areas treated with vinegar.

5. It’s natural and eco-friendly.

Using vinegar prevents you from introducing toxic chemicals into your home and yard. It’s better for the environment.

So vinegar gives you a safe, affordable DIY option for getting rid of termites in your home. Keep reading to learn how to harness the pest-fighting power of vinegar against termites.

What Kinds of Vinegar Work Best for Termites?

Not all vinegars are equally effective when it comes to controlling termites. Here are the best kinds of vinegar to use:

White Distilled Vinegar

This is the most common type of vinegar found in kitchens. White distilled vinegar contains about 5-8% acetic acid. This gives it a pH between 2-3, making it highly acidic.

The acetic acid in distilled white vinegar is strong enough to kill termites on contact. The pests have a waxy outer shell that protects them from dehydration. But vinegar dissolves this shell and kills the termite.

White distilled vinegar also acts as a repellent against termites. The acidic smell drives them away so they’re less likely to enter treated areas.

Use distilled white vinegar as your primary vinegar of choice when making DIY termite sprays. It’s the most reliable type for both killing and repelling termites.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is another vinegar readily available in grocery stores. It contains about 5% acetic acid.

The main benefit of apple cider vinegar is the repellent quality. The sour smell and taste deters termites. Use it to make repellent barriers around wood structures.

However, ACV doesn’t have as much acetic acid as white distilled vinegar. So it won’t kill termites as effectively when sprayed directly.

But it’s still a good occasional substitute. Try alternating ACV and white distilled vinegar when treating different areas of your home.

Orange Vinegar

As the name suggests, this type of vinegar is made from oranges. It has a bitter, acidic taste from the citric acid extracted from the oranges.

Orange vinegar works much like apple cider vinegar. It repels termites with its potent smell and taste. Use it to create repellent perimeter treatments around wood materials.

Wine Vinegar

Wine vinegars like red wine, white wine, sherry, or champagne vinegar contain about 5-7% acetic acid. This gives them a decent amount of acidity to repel and kill termites.

However, wine vinegars have a more delicate aroma compared to white distilled vinegar. Their pest-repelling effects may not last as long.

But wine vinegars make good substitutes in a pinch. They’re slightly less effective than white distilled and apple cider vinegars, but still helpful for termite control.

Malt Vinegar

Malt vinegar is made from malted barley or other grains. It has an acetic acid level of about 5-8%, similar to white distilled vinegar.

However, malt vinegar has a milder smell and taste. Termites are not as strongly repelled by the odor. So it won’t deter them as effectively.

Only use malt vinegar when you’ve run out of the other, more potent types. It’s better than nothing, but not the first choice for battling termites. Stick with distilled white, apple cider, orange, or wine vinegar if possible.

Now let’s look at how to harness these types of vinegar into effective DIY termite treatments.

Making Your Own Vinegar Termite Spray

It’s easy to make your own vinegar-based sprays and solutions to get rid of termites. Here are some simple recipes to try:

Vinegar and Water Spray

• 1 part white distilled vinegar
• 1 part water

Mix the vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz it directly onto visible termites to kill them on contact. Also spray along baseboards, window frames, and other areas where you’ve spotted signs of termites.

The vinegar kills termites while the water helps spread it further so more pests come into contact with it. Reapply the spray twice a week to deter termites.

Enhanced Vinegar Spray

• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
• 2 tablespoons boric acid powder

Boric acid is a natural insecticide that can kill termites slowly over time. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before each use.

The dishwashing liquid helps the boric acid stick to surfaces. Spray this enhanced vinegar solution onto known termite entry points and trails. It both kills them immediately and leaves residual insecticide to kill them over several days.

Repellent Vinegar Solution

• 2 parts apple cider vinegar
• 1 part water
• 5-10 drops essential oil (eucalyptus, citrus, peppermint, etc.)

Mix this solution in a spray bottle. The water dilutes the vinegar so the smell isn’t overpowering. Essential oils add extra repellent power with their strong scent.

Use this as a preventative perimeter spray. Treat soil, wood, and other possible termite access points around your foundation and exterior walls. The smell drives away termites so they’re less likely to enter your home.

Orange Vinegar Treatment

• 1 cup orange vinegar
• 1 cup borax powder

Sprinkle this mixture in a thin layer along crawl space foundations, attics, unfinished basements, and other areas vulnerable to termite entry. Orange vinegar deter termites while borax kills them if they still cross over the barrier.

These are just some basic vinegar solutions you can make at home to combat termites. Feel free to experiment with different vinegar and essential oil combinations to find what works best in your situation.

How to Apply Vinegar for Termite Treatments

To get rid of termites with vinegar, you need to use strategic treatment methods. Here are some tips:

Directly Spray Live Termites

Spotting live termites in your home gives you a prime opportunity to kill that part of the colony. Make a simple vinegar and water solution. Spray it directly on any termites you find crawling on walls, floors, furniture, etc. The vinegar will dissolve their waxy shells and kill them.

Treat Known Entry Points

Figure out where the termites are getting into your home. Look for crawl spaces, cracks in the foundation, moisture damage, etc. Spray vinegar solutions in these areas to kill termites at the access points before they get established further into the house.

Create Vinegar Barriers

Use vinegar sprays to create a perimeter around vulnerable areas like unfinished basements or crawl spaces. Termite colonies don’t like crossing over pungent vinegar barriers. It prevents them from invading further into your home.

Saturate Wood Materials

If you find damaged wood full of termites, thoroughly coat it with vinegar to penetrate deep into the material. Flooding the wood with vinegar solutions kills termites inside and prevents new ones from infesting it again.

Combine with Borax and Diatomaceous Earth

Mixing vinegar with other natural insecticides like borax or diatomaceous earth gives added termite-killing power. The vinegar repels and kills them on contact while residual insecticide dust takes care of stragglers.

Reapply Weekly

Don’t just treat once and forget about it. Reapply vinegar solutions every five to seven days. This maintains the pest-repellent effects and kills any newly hatched termites before they establish themselves. Commit to regular reapplication for at least one month to cover 1-2 reproductive cycles.

Using these methods, vinegar can be an effective long-term solution for keeping termites away. But what about preventing future infestations after you get rid of the current colony?

Using Vinegar for Termite Prevention and Preparedness

Killing termites is only half the battle. You also have to prevent new colonies from taking up residence in your home.

Vinegar can help with proactive termite prevention:

Inspect Regularly for Signs of Termites

Make it a habit to periodically inspect your property inside and out for early signs of termites. Catching them early makes elimination easier before significant damage occurs.

Perform regular checks along baseboards and wood structures. Tap wood materials and listen for hollow areas that may indicate termites inside. Look for little piles of sawdust. The sooner you detect them, the better.

Eliminate Conducive Conditions

Termites need certain conditions to thrive like moisture and wood food sources. Reduce the chances of infestation by repairing water leaks and avoiding moisture buildup.

Also store firewood off the ground and away from your home. Prune any trees and bushes so branches don’t contact your house. Don’t give termites the ideal environment to start colonies.

Apply Preventative Vinegar Sprays

Use vinegar perimeter sprays around your foundation and property to deter termites proactively. Treat soil, concrete, wood fencing, etc. The residual aroma of vinegar keeps termites away.

Seal Possible Entry Points

Find and seal any cracks, gaps, or crevices on your home’s exterior. Eliminate access points so termites can’t sneak inside. Pay special attention to areas like windows, doors, utilities, and the foundation.

Get Regular Professional Inspections

Have a pest control professional inspect your home periodically. They can spot early termite activity and conditions favoring infestation. Annual inspections help you stay one step ahead of termites.

Combining preventative measures with regular vinegar treatments helps safeguard your home against recurring termite problems. Vinegar works great as an immediate solution, while good prevention habits provide ongoing protection.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Termites

For moderate infestations, vinegar sprays alone may get rid of termites. But severe, long-term infestations often require a combination approach:

1. Inspection – Have a professional inspect to identify the extent of the infestation and structural damage.

2. Spot treatments – Apply targeted pesticide treatments to severely infested areas.

3. Fumigation – For whole-house treatment, seal and fumigate the entire home.

4. Bait systems – Install termite bait stations around the perimeter.

5. Vinegar sprays – Use as ongoing prevention between other treatments.

6. Wood treatments – Inject pesticides into damaged wood for protection.

7. Regular monitoring – Check for signs of recurrence and retreat as needed.

So consider combining powerful pesticide treatments for large infestations along with vinegar for pesticide-free prevention. Work with a professional to devise the best overall strategy for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage vinegar works best?

Go with vinegars that are 5-8% acetic acid. Higher acidity increases the pest-killing and repelling power. White distilled vinegar is usually 7% while apple cider is around 5%.

How long does vinegar take to kill termites?

Vinegar only takes a few minutes to kill termites upon direct contact thanks to its corrosive acidity. It dissolves their protective outer layer, leading to dehydration and death.

Does vinegar keep termites away?

Yes, vinegar repels termites in addition to killing them. The pungent scent drives termites away so they avoid areas treated with vinegar.

Should vinegar be diluted or used full strength?

It depends on the application. Full-strength vinegar is best for directly spraying wood infested with termites since the higher acidity kills them more effectively. For repellent perimeter sprays, dilute vinegar 1:1 with water so the scent isn’t overpowering.

How long does vinegar repel termites?

Vinegar retains its potent smell for up to 2 weeks after application. Reapply every 1-2 weeks to maintain the repellent effects. The smell gradually diminishes with time.

Is vinegar harmful to plants?

High concentrations of vinegar can damage plants. Avoid spraying vinegar solutions directly onto vegetation. But treating nearby soil, walls, fences, etc. is fine and will deter termites from invading gardens and landscaping.

Does vinegar irritate skin?

Undiluted vinegar may cause skin irritation for some people. Wear gloves when handling stronger vinegar solutions. Avoid getting vinegar in your eyes. Diluted solutions are less irritating for general spraying purposes.

How much does it cost to use vinegar versus pesticides?

Vinegar is far cheaper than commercial pesticide sprays and fumigations. A gallon of distilled white vinegar costs just $3-5 versus $25 or more for termite-specific chemical treatments. Vinegar gives you affordable pest control.

What’s the best homemade vinegar spray?

A simple mix of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle works great. For added killing power, add a few tablespoons of lemon juice which helps break down the termites’ waxy shell. Orange oil or lemon eucalyptus oil will also boost the repellent effects.

Should I hire a pest control company?

For severe infestations, it’s best to have a professional pest control company assess the situation and provide treatment options. They have access to stronger pesticides if needed. But vinegar sprays can provide ongoing prevention after professional treatments.

How often should I spray vinegar?

Reapply vinegar solutions every 5-7 days for at least a month. Frequent applications kill newly hatched termites and maintain the repellent effects

Conclusion

If you have a termite problem, try utilizing the power of vinegar before resorting to harsh pesticides. It’s an inexpensive, non-toxic way to eliminate termites in your home.

Distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and orange vinegar work best thanks to their concentrated acidity. Make DIY vinegar solutions and spray infested areas, entry points, wood materials, and more.

Combine direct spraying with preventative vinegar perimeter treatments for thorough termite protection. Vinegar eliminates existing colonies and deters future ones.

While vinegar works well for minor infestations, you may need professional pesticide treatments for major, long-term termite problems. Use vinegar to complement these stronger methods.

Implementing strategic vinegar treatments keeps your family safe from the dangerous damages of termites. Harness