How To Repel Termites With A Smelly Oil They Can't Stand

Hollow-sounding wood. Mud tube shelters. Sagging floors. If all of this sounds familiar, chances are you're dealing with a termite infestation, and you need to act fast, as termites are one of the worst structural pests. They damage wood from the inside out, serious degrading the wooden infrastructure of your home. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent a termite infestation, and some are as simple as spraying plant oils like neem oil on termite attractions like wooden furniture and foundations.

Neem oil contains compounds like azadirachtin, which directly disrupts the hormonal systems of insects like termites, throwing off their ability to feed, grow, and reproduce. Other than azadirachtin, neem oil also contains insecticides nimbin and nimbidin. A 2024 study published in the Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology found that neem oil was effective, as it has a strong, pungent smell that pests like termites cannot bear, and when applied to wood, it can help keep termites away.

Also, neem oil is not the only plant oil that has pest-repelling powers. Many other oils like lavender oil and orange oil can also be used to deter pests. You just need to make sure how to choose and use the right essential oils to keep various types of pests, like termites, at bay. Just remember that not all commercially available plant oils are equal. They can vary in their purity and concentration, so make sure to do your research.

If you have access to neem fruit, you can make neem oil at home and then use it to create a termite repellent spray. However, since the neem tree is a tropical plant that only grows in USDA Zones 9 and 10, finding its fruit might be a bit tricky, and for most people, it would make more sense to buy neem oil at a store and convert it into a spray. With neem oil, all you have to do is mix 5 ml of neem oil with 2 ml of any liquid soap and 1 liter of water.

The liquid soap is important here because it acts as an emulsifying agent. This helps mix the neem oil with water more readily. Just make sure that the liquid soap you use is mild. Once the mixture is ready, target the spots that termites attack the most. This can include cracks and gaps, wooden door and window frames, furniture, table legs, and other exposed wooden surfaces. Don't spray the entire room, though. Concentrate application on vulnerable areas only, and if you are working with painted wood, test a small area first before spraying the whole thing.

Lastly, keep in mind that while neem oil is great at deterring termites, it is not a full-blown therapy for whole-colony elimination. The surface spray of neem oil might never reach a hidden termite nest inside the wood, and it will also not restore wood they have already eaten. So, if you see signs of a termite infestation, especially around the foundation or other vital wooden structures of your home, make sure to get your property inspected.