Everyone strives to make their homes the coziest and most comfortable places. However, a pest infestation can disrupt the peace and tranquility you have been enjoying.
Termites are the pests that can easily invade your home. By the time you discover their presence, they may already damage your garden or wooden walls of your house. Therefore, you should be aware of the termite killer chemicals that you can use when faced with this situation.
As an entomologist with over twenty years of experience in pest control, I decided to compose this guide to help you and other people suffering from termite infestation. Below, I will make it clear what chemical kills termites so that you can get one of the sprays mentioned here if these pests have invaded your home.
Best Termite Killer Sprays Reviewed
- Taurus SC Termiticide – Top Pick
- BioAdvanced 700310A Carpenter Ant & Termite Insecticide
- BASF 805571 Termidor Foam Termiticide/Insecticide
- TERRO T1901-6 Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer
- Permethrin SFR – Termite Control Spray for Pre and Post Construction Use
- Bifenthrin – Best Termite Spray that Kills Seventy-Five Types of Pests
- I.G. Regulator Natural Termite Spray
To know which spray you should get, you first need to know the specifics of such chemicals. Therefore, I will review each spray in detail, providing you with analyses of the features of the insecticide with its pros, and cons.
Specifications:
- Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin (25.3%)
- Item Weight: 8.28 pounds
- Item Volume: 1 gallon
- Product Dimensions LxWxH: 7.75 x 5 x 11.5 inches
- Target Species: Cockroaches, Spiders, Wasps, Chinch Bugs, Mole Crickets, Fire Ants, Fleas and Ticks
If you have a garden or your house is made of wood, and the area is infested by termites, Taurus SC is the best solution for your problem. It is most efficient when applied to areas, such as the foundation or basement of your house.
These places usually provide good breeding grounds for termites, as they can move in the dark, lay eggs, and breed without being discovered. Since you know that your home is infested with the insects, you have to check all the areas that termites can crawl into. Thus, the insects don’t get you by surprise.
The spray comes in three sizes of 2.5 gallons, 20fl.oz, and 78fl.oz. Therefore, you can select the quantity you need, depending on the size of the surface you are going to apply the pesticide on.
The 78fl.oz bottle weighs only five pounds, being very easy to carry around your house or yard. Remember, you must keep the insecticide in a hidden place where children won’t reach it because the product can irritate their skin and eyes and is poisonous for humans.
In addition to termites, Taurus SC is an effective insect killer for centipedes, cockroaches, and beetles. That means that it is a multipurpose insecticide, and you can get rid of many pests without having to buy different chemicals for each type of insects.
To apply the pesticide, you must dig a trench and then bury the pesticide inside. The method ensures that the insecticide does not get in contact with food because it would contaminate it for both human beings and animals. Once applied correctly, the product can get rid of a termite colony within the first round of application.
You can apply the insecticide at least four times a year. That means that it can keep away termites, ants, and other insects for a few months. In some cases, you might not see the pests in your compound after using the Taurus solution only once, but in other situations, the termites may return the next season. It depends on the size of the existing colony.
Make sure you follow the directions of usage strictly. That way, you will protect yourself and the people around you.
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2. Bayer 700310 – Great Termite Killer for Wooden Structures
Specifications:
- Active Ingredient: β- Cyfluthrin (2.5%)
- Item Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Item Volume: 40 fl. oz.
- Product Dimensions LxWxH: 5 x 2.65 x 10.25 inches
- Target Species: Ants, Termites, Fleas, Ticks, Crickets, Spiders, Carpenter Bees, and more
Do you have wooden structures that have been damaged by termites, carpenter ants, or any other type of pest? Then you may consider BioAdvanced 700310, as it is manufactured to protect the wood of various kinds of insects.
The chemical must be mixed with water before being used. Once you dilute it, you should use a tank sprayer to apply the solution to the areas where you want to eradicate pests.
Therefore, if you have enough time to make the solution and apply it, the BioAdvanced pesticide may work out for you. It is an extremely effective product that will help you to deal with termites for good.
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3. BASF 805571 Termidor Foam Termiticide/Insecticide – A Ready-to-Use Spray for Termites
Specifications:
- Active Ingredient: Fipronil (0.005%)
- Item Weight: 1.52 pounds
- Item Form: Foam
- Product Dimensions LxWxH: 2.5 x 2.5 x 9.5 inches
- Target Species: Ants, Termites, Wood Destroying Insects, Termites (including subterranean, drywood, dampwood and arboreal), Old House Borer Beetles, Powder Post Beetles, Wharf Borer Beetles, Ants (including: foraging Carpenter; excluding: Fire, Harvester, Leaf cutter and Pharaoh)
If you want a powerful ready-to-go product, this BASF option is the right insecticide for you. You can treat your area right from the bottle, using the hose attached. Therefore, you won’t need to get any additional equipment to dilute the solution. It is best for people with busy schedules and those who are dealing with termites for the first time, as it saves a lot of time and minimizes effort.
You don’t need to strain when using the best termiticide by BASF. When you apply it to one area, it will spread around at a ratio of 30:1. Therefore, you don’t need to struggle to try to reach the voids, walls, and edges where the insects may hide. The foam spreads well, leaving termites with no chance to survive.
The bottle weighs only 1.35 pounds, so it is very light and can be carried by anyone. Also, this termiticide can be used to get rid of ants, beetles, and carpenter bees.
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4. Terro Termiticide – Best Termite Killer Spray with no Odor and Stains after Use
Specifications:
- Item Form: Spray
- Item Weight: 1.2 pounds
- Duration of action: up to 1 month
- Product Dimensions LxWxH: 2.7 x 8 x 9.4 inches
- Target Species: Ants, Termites
Terro is another easy-to-use spray that will not give you a headache. If you don’t have much time and enthusiasm for dealing with termites, you can treat your wooden areas with this spray, as it will take only a few minutes of your time.
Unlike it is with professional pesticides, you will not need to dilute this product to mix an effective solution. Once you buy this Terro product at the store, you can spray it on the areas where the termite colonies reside right away.
What I especially like about this termiticide is that this spray does the job without leaving stains or unpleasant odors. You won’t smell it, unlike regular pesticides that have a strong odor.
The bonus is that this spray will not stain your walls or any other part of your home. Therefore, you can still enjoy the beauty of your compound, even after applying this pesticide.
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5. Permethrin SFR – Termite Control Spray for Pre and Post Construction Use
No products found.
If you are an owner of a wooden house and have dogs or other pets in your yard, and now you are experiencing termite infestation, it is worth considering this Permethrin SFR product. It can be used on any structure to eliminate termites and other pests, such as carpenter ants that are very common in houses. As the manufacturer indicates, the pesticide may be used before and after building structures to protect them from pests.
It is a strong chemical that is made for professional use. Therefore, you have to be careful by following all the directions indicated on the label, and if you are not sure how to go about it, you should seek help from a professional with experience of using pesticides.
One thing I love about this product is that it is, although efficient in eradicating termites, safe to animals and humans. You can use it around your poultry house or animal shed, and this product will not cause any harm to the animals. With this termite control spray, you will get rid of the pests that bother you and your pets shortly.
A bottle weighs two pounds and is pretty portable. It will be enough for several applications to small to medium-size areas, so it is also economical.
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6. Bifenthrin – Best Termite Spray that Kills Seventy-Five Types of Pests
No products found.
There are cases when you may be facing more than one type of pests in your home. You may have termites, ants, mosquitoes, and other insects invading your compound at the same time. When in this situation, you need a pesticide that will get rid of all the pests at once.
So, if you are facing such a situation, Bifenthrin should be your go-to spray. It can kill more than seventy-five types of pests that invade homes and other premises. That is why professionals use this spray, and I want to advocate for it to everyone. Once you apply this product, there will be no more unwanted insects crawling your walls or digging holes in your wooden structures.
It is also a user-friendly option, like Terro, because it does not have an odor. Therefore, you can use the product without being bothered by a bad smell.
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7. I.G. Regulator Natural Termite Spray – An Efficient Product on up to 1000 Sq Ft
Specifications:
- Active Ingredients: Pyriproxyfen 1.3%
- Yield: 1 oz. of mixed concentrate covers approx. 1,000 sq. ft. of carpet or flooring
- Item Weight: 4 ounces
- Product Dimensions LxWxH: 7 x 2 x 9 inches
- Target Species: Fleas, Roaches, Ants and other insects
If you are a busy person, you need a termite spray that you can apply and forget about the pests for the next few months or years. I.G. Regulator can keep termites away for at least seven months. Therefore, when you apply it in the middle of the year, you may not need to use it again until the following year.
It is economical because you need to mix only one ounce of the product with a gallon of water. This amount will be enough to apply on at least 1000 sq.ft. Therefore, even a little bottle will work for the entire house and yard.
The termite spray is also efficient in that it inhibits the growth of larvae. It kills the termite larvae, hence preventing it from hatching and becoming fully grown termites.
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What to Look for in a Spray for Termites
Before you go shopping, you must determine the important features that you need in the spray. Not all products have similar characteristics, and they may differ in their usage. Therefore, you need to list your needs so that you know which spray to get. Below are some of the features to look for in a termiticide.
Why Termite Sprays are the Best Treatment
A termite spray is the best treatment for these pests, whether you select an indoor termite spray or an outdoor solution. One of the reasons is that a spray can penetrate the dark areas. If it is the foundation of your house that termites have infested, a sprayed solution can reach the farthest edges of the holes created by the insects.
Therefore, a termite spray can kill even the insects that you don’t see when on the ground. Such a product is also good because you can dilute some solutions as advised by the manufacturer. With these guidelines in mind, it is possible to use the solution several times. Hence, such bottles are economical.
A sprayed solution can last in the area for quite a while. Therefore, it prevents new infestation on your lawn or house walls. It can also keep away other pests, hence reducing the work that you have to do to deal with each type of insects in your home.
How to Apply Termite Insecticide
Now that you know what to spray for termites, it is time to understand how to apply the product. The process is very easy. First, you need to identify the area that the insects have invaded around your home. Be careful and check every possible place because these insects can live on the walls of your house, in the basement, and in the garden.
Once you have identified every area, apply the spray, as explained by the manufacturer. All the solutions mentioned here are pretty easy to use, and I have provided information on how to apply these chemicals in the corresponding sections, so make sure to check my product reviews carefully.
Safety Precautions
You should be aware of the safety precautions to take when applying a commercial grade termite killer. Since it is a chemical, you need to observe the highest safety standards. The following are some of the things you should and shouldn’t do when using a pesticide for termites:
- Avoid eating when you are applying the spray.
- If the pest control is taking place indoors, cover all food items.
- Close windows and doors when spraying the pesticide.
- After three or four hours, open the windows and doors to aerate the house.
- Clean the house thoroughly after you finish termite control activities.
Also, remember that some treatments may be dangerous for your skin. Therefore, it is important to wear protective gear when dealing with a termiticide if the manufacturer has recommended this measure. You should also avoid spraying around the areas with vegetables and other food products if you are doing the treatment outdoors.
How to Detect Termites
The easiest way to detect these pests is by looking around your compound. If you see one or two termites crawling around, or some damaged wooden parts of your place, it is a sign that these insects have invaded your house. The other way is to inspect your garden. If you see strange striations that you haven’t spotted previously on the wood surface, then these marks could have been made by termites.
You should do further investigation so that you are sure it is termites you are dealing with and not other insects. A smart way will be to look for termite droppings around the damaged wooden surfaces to identify these pests in your area.
Also, if you have termites in your house, you might notice that the windows and doors fail to open easily. If you spot it, you should inspect the areas around the windows and doors, as they could be infested with these species. If all these methods do not show any signs of these insects, yet you still feel like the termites could be around, call a professional and ask for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been asked several questions by people who have had termites in their homes. You, too, may have these questions in mind. Thus, I found it valuable to give answers here.
How to Choose the Spray for Termites
When buying pesticides, it’s important to read the instructions on the label or the manual provided with the product. With some products, you can spray the ready-to-use solution using a nozzle on the can. These sprays are complete mixtures. But with some other options, you must use a tank sprayer and dilute the chemical. In such cases, you need to dilute the solution with water in the ratios indicated on the label and then proceed to use an additional tank sprayer to apply the product on the damaged areas.
How Much Does Termite Spray Cost?
The cost of termite pesticides varies from one brand to the other. The price may also vary with the quantity of the product. Therefore, it is necessary to buy a pesticide that is within your budget. If the termites keep crawling back to your home even after you have eradicated them, you should go for a pesticide that can be used several times or the one with a more powerful effect.
How Often to Spray for Termites?
The number of times that you should use the spray also depends on the pesticide that you select. Since it is a chemical, manufacturers are required to provide all information about its usage on the label.
Therefore, you will find recommendations saying that, for instance, you need to use the spray once in two weeks, or once in three months. Follow the advice on the package for your safety and efficiency of the selected product.
When is the Best Time to Spray for Termites?
You can spray such pesticides at any time of the year. But, if the insects keep infesting your home after a while, you need to spray chemicals even during winter when you don’t expect such species to be active. That is because you can predict their behavior in the cold season as opposed to the summer period. If you manage to prevent the infestation during winter, then you might solve your problem once and for all, and termites may not come back for a long time.
Get Rid of Termites for Good
Now you know about the best sprays to get when infested by the termites. You can go for the ready-to-use Bayer spray or the other brands that require diluting before use. Whichever product you select, the ultimate result is that termites will leave your compound.
The pesticide to select depends on your budget, the number of termites you are dealing with, and for how long you want to use the chemical. As explained above, these factors are some of the points you should consider before selecting the final product.
Remember, your safety and that of your family and pets is important when dealing with a termiticide. Take measures, such as using protective gear and covering foods when using the chemical. Also, ensure that you spray all the hidden areas so that you don’t leave out some termites because they could hatch and form new swarms that will damage your property further.
Have you ever faced a termite infestation in the past? Did you use any of the sprays mentioned above to solve the problem? What were the results? Let me know in the comments!
References:
- Drywood Termites (Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California):
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7440.html - Termites: How to Identify and Control Them (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency):
https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them - Termite Management for Homeowners (The University of Arizona):
https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1356.pdf
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