Is DIY Termite Control Worth the Risk? What the Pros Think

Insects & Creepy-Crawlies
1

Hey everyone!

Last month, I spotted ​​sawdust-like frass​ near my basement beams and panicked – TERMITES! Being a budget-conscious homeowner, I tried DIY solutions: ​​boric acid sprays + termite baits​​ from the hardware store. Fast-forward 3 weeks: The infestation SPREAD to my living room! I finally called a pro and learned shocking truths about hidden colonies. Now I’m $4K poorer and rethinking everything

​​My wake-up call:​​

  • DIY kits only kill surface workers (miss 90% of the colony)
  • Wrong treatment accidentally drove termites DEEPER into walls
  • Pros have thermal imaging to map nests (amateur eyes can’t)

​​Experts warned me:​​
“Termites cause $5B+ damage annually in the US. DIY failures often double repair costs.”

2

Tried orange oil on dry wood termites in my shed – FAILED! Cost me 120 vs. pro’s 600 quote. Lesson? DIY for PREVENTION only! Apply termite-resistant mulch (cedar/cypress) annually. For active nests? CALL. A. PRO.

3

Ugh, feel your pain! Did the oil stain your wood?

4

Worse – discolored patio stones!

5

Real talk: Termites are SOCIAL engineers! DIY bait stations? They build new mud tubes around them. Only trenching + soil treatments stop subterranean nests. ​​DIY risk score:​ 9/10. Worth? HELL NO unless it’s < 5 sq.ft of surface swarmers.

6

Success story! Used boric acid/water mix on FORMOSAN termites in my fence posts ($45). Key: SOAK nests for 4+ days straight. BUT pros told me house foundations need chemical barriers – wisely hired them for that!

7

Psychological risk alert! DIY made me paranoid 24/7. Heard crunches behind walls that were not there. Hired inspector ($300): saved my sanity and found actual damage in the garage.

8

1920s home owner here. DO NOT DIY IF: house has plaster walls, asbestos, or historic wood. My “simple” foam injection cracked original crown molding. Restorations cost 3X the extermination!

9

Tried nematodes to eat larvae naturally. Result? New nest in 2 weeks. Pros explained: Nematodes can’t survive in non-humid climates. Research before using biologicals!

10

DIY HACK: Install termite monitors ($20/each) around the perimeter. Caught swarmers early & used DIRECT spot treatment. Pros confirmed I stopped it! But they said NO BAITS – useless alone!