Yes, they can go away on their own. Why is it a scary answer? Because you never know when they are going to come back! Without a termite treatment, there is no way of knowing when a healthy termite colony will return to re-infest a structure.
While you cannot get rid of termites permanently from the environment, you can help prevent them from taking root in your home and control any active colonies nearby. Although it may be tempting to try termite control yourself, prevention and treatment is best left to the professionals.
First, if you don't spot any swarmers or live termites, there's likely no current termite activity. Secondly, if you notice mud tubes and break off a section that remains unrepaired after a few days, you have an inactive termite infestation.
That being said, as a general rule, a termite spray or liquid treatment will typically begin killing termites within a day or two. If you choose to use bait stations, the process might take a little longer to begin. After that, it's all up to the size of the colony, but they'll rarely last more than four or five days.
The bad news is that in some cases, termites come back after treatment. In fact, they're some of the toughest pests to eliminate from a property.
For liquid termite treatments, you should re-treat roughly every five years, and for termite bait stations, you should monitor every few months.
Bifen XTA: Best Fast-acting
Bifen XTS is a fast-acting, oil-based termiticide that can kill termites in 24 hours by attacking their nervous systems. This treatment is not recommended for use indoors. Spray it around the perimeter of your home to kill termites.
When a trusted treatment is administered properly, termites can almost always be eliminated effectively. After treating a home for termites, it's crucial to get regular treatments and inspections in order to prevent another infestation.
Termite droppings typically have the following characteristics: 1mm pellets – often look like piles of salt or pepper. Black, brown, and grey in color depending on the wood eaten by termites. Pellets will be pushed out of 'exit holes' in the nest to create pile-ups.
If your infestation is serious, you may see the damage before you spot any termites. Raised floorboards or bumps in the wall are signs of an infestation. Often masquerading as water damage, swollen panels are not a good sign. Termites live just below wood surfaces which can cause panels to swell.
Termites swarm after their original colony has reached a certain capacity level and is ready to expand. For most colonies, this happens once a year.
Dead termites on your windowsill are a sign that swarmer termites were trying to mate and start new colonies on your property. It also means that there may be a pre-existing colony in your home. Along with seeing termite swarms, there are other common signs of termites in your home.
Clemson University scientists reported that 'Termites hate smells of cedarwood, geranium, and tea tree oil. It has also been found that clove bud, cinnamon, and garlic oils can also repel termites.
Combining half a cup of vinegar with the juice of two lemons creates an effective, acidic spray that is safer than boric acid but also kills termites. This solution is also ideal for soaking into any damaged areas of the wood to clear cracks of termites.
Leaky pipes, improper drainage, and poor airflow all create moisture issues that attract termites. Dampwood and subterranean termites in particular thrive in humid environments. While dampwood termites prefer water-damaged wood, subterranean termites are unable to live unless surrounded by enough moisture.
Expect your liquid soil treatment to last around five years. Keep in mind, however, that termites can still enter your home even while the solution is active. That's why it's important to stay diligent about your annual inspections!
Workers and soldiers live approximately one to two years. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climate conditions.
Vinegar's acetic acid is corrosive to termite exoskeletons. This acid spray kills termites. This treatment must be sprayed on termite bodies. If you can't access most of the termites, immerse their colony in vinegar.
Fumigation
Fumigation is an intensive way to rid your home of severe termite infestations. The process involves enclosing the infested area and exposing all termites inside it to sulfuryl fluoride gas (Vikane). The fumigation process typically takes around 3 days.
Borate wood preservative defends wood against termite attack and other wood-decomposing organisms. The preservative is absorbed into wood and acts as a barrier that termites cannot cross, eliminating wood as a food source.
The winged adults in this species are slightly smaller and pale brown, and often swarm during the same time of day as the spring swarmers (late morning).
There are two main chemicals used to kill termites—fipronil and hexaflumuron. Fipronil is the specially designed chemical used as an active ingredient in many different liquid termiticides. In high enough concentrations, it can kill termites on contact. Pest control specialists apply it around the perimeter of homes.
In summary, baits are useful and effective tools for managing termite infestations. Regardless of which product/system is used, they will not work by simply hammering some stations into the ground and walking away.