How to Prevent Termites in Wood Furniture

Co-authored by Joshua Bloom and Kira Jan

Last Updated: December 2, 2022 References

The last thing you want to see as a homeowner are those little piles of sawdust and telltale holes in wood. You might be thinking, Oh no. What happens if the termites get into my wooden furniture? The good news is you’ve got plenty of options to prevent termites from chewing into your favorite furniture and to stop termite infestations in their tracks. From natural DIY pest control to intensive treatments, we’ve got your termite-repelling options covered–and they’re all safe to use on your wood furniture.

1

Remove excess wood and cardboard.

Firewood, lumber, cardboard, and newspapers all attract termites. For an easy prevention method, go through your house and discard any old paper or wood materials.^{[1]
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Research source} Similarly, clear away debris and wood from your house’s foundation outside. The best way to protect the furniture inside your house is to make sure the termites don’t get in at all.

2

Protect your furniture from moisture.

Termites love moist wood.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Joshua Bloom
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.} Fortunately, you can make your furniture less appealing by keeping it dry. Keep your rooms well-ventilated, especially if you keep wood furniture in the bathroom or kitchen where it’s exposed to water. Wipe down your furniture with a dry cloth rather than using water to clean it.^{[3]
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3

Apply aloe vera.

Aloe vera is a natural way to create a protective barrier for your furniture. Mix 100% pure aloe vera gel with water in a 1:5 ratio. Spray the mixture over your furniture. Repeat the treatment over several days so the aloe mixture can soak into the pores of the wood. Aloe contains aloin, a bitter chemical compound that will discourage termites from chewing your furniture.^{[4]
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- Avoid using aloe mixed with fragrances or other chemicals, which could end up attracting termites.^{[5]
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4

Use termite-resistant polish.

Polish gives your furniture a protective coating. Use an oil-based varnish and apply it everywhere on your furniture with a clean dry cloth, moving with the grain of the wood. You can even look for products labeled as termite-resistant. As a bonus, the polish will keep your heirloom pieces in top condition.^{[6]
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- Once you’ve coated the wood in a layer of polish, take a clean cloth and wipe against the grain to remove any excess polish.
- Always test the polish in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the rest of your furniture.

5

Spray orange oil or neem oil.

These oils inhibit termites’ ability to shed their skin and lay eggs. As a result, orange oil and neem oil will kill termites over a longer period of time. For a DIY termite-repellent, mix 16 fluid ounces (0.47 L) water with a few drops of dish soap. Add about 10 drops of orange oil or neem oil. Shake up the mixture in a spray bottle, apply it to your wood furniture, and you’ve got a DIY termite control solution!^{[7]
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- This method works better for drywood termites than subterranean termites.
- Drywood termites are more likely to infest your hardwood furniture. Subterranean termites prefer soft spring wood.^{[8]
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6

Make a barrier with diatomaceous earth.

Use diatomaceous earth for a chemical-free solution. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a sedimentary rock, and you can even purchase it at “food-grade” quality. DE works to prevent and kill termites because, on the microscopic level, it’s made up of sharp shards that can slice through termites’ exoskeletons.^{[9]
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- Also apply the diatomaceous earth around the foundation of your house to kill more termites and create a barrier.
- Wear a dust mask and goggles when you sprinkle the DE if you have sensitive lungs and eyes.

7

Paint your furniture.

Use epoxy enamel paint to create a barrier. This is an easy and proven method to block termites from chewing into your furniture. Apply two coats of paint for more thorough protection.^{[10]
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- Before you paint, seal any cracks in the wood with wood putty.

8

Buy a commercial termite-repellent or poison.

Bait stations, stakes, and insecticide sprays are quick ways to get rid of termites. These methods wipe out entire colonies but do involve chemicals. Combine spot treatment of your furniture with perimeter treatments around your house to create a protective barrier.^{[11]
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- Spray the insecticide directly into grooves, nooks, and holes you find.
- Commercial products include Termidor /Taurus (fipronil), Premise (imidacloprid), and Altriset (chlorantraniliprole).^{[12]
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9

Sprinkle boric acid.

Boric acid is a less toxic, affordable way to kill termites. It affects their digestive system, dehydrates them, and kills them within a few days. Simply sprinkle the fine powder around the furniture or the site of the infestation.^{[13]
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- You can use boric acid both indoors and out.
- Many commercial products use boric acid as the main ingredient because it’s so effective!^{[14]
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- Boric acid works equally well for subterranean and drywood termites.^{[15]
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10

Expose the furniture to sunlight to kill termites.

Termites can’t survive in strong UV light. Bring your furniture outside or use indoor UV lights to eliminate an existing termite infestation. Set the furniture outside for at least 3 days.^{[16]
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- Use this method with caution. UV rays may also fade your furniture.

11

Bring in parasitic nematodes.

Nematodes are microscopic parasites that burrow into termites to kill them. You can buy nematodes at a nursery or online.^{[17]
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Research source} Mix the nematodes in with water and then spray your wood furniture. If you have an infestation already, spray once a day until the termite problem is gone.^{[18]
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- Nematodes will die off naturally, and they’re not dangerous to people or pets.
- This method is more effective for subterranean termites than drywood termites.^{[19]
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12

Make a cardboard trap.

Use this method to capture and kill termites in small batches. Set a piece of cardboard out near the infested furniture. Moisten the cardboard with water to make it even more appealing. Once you see the termites have started infesting the cardboard, take it outside and burn it.^{[20]
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13

Schedule regular pest control.

Get a termite inspection from a professional at least once a year. While it’s tempting to just go the DIY route, a professional can get to the root of the infestation. Professional liquid termite treatments last up to five years. Bait stations set by professionals require check-ins every 3-6 months.^{[21]
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- If you suspect an infestation, and your DIY solutions aren’t working, it’s time to hire a professional.^{[22]
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- Look for a professional certified by the Department of Agriculture or your state’s pest control association.
- Termite control prices range from $200-$2500 depending on the size of the infestation.^{[24]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Where are termites usually found in a house?

Joshua Bloom
Pest Control Specialist
Joshua Bloom is a Pest Control Specialist and the Vice President of Operations of Standard Pest Management, a pest control company based in New York City. He has over 20 years of experience in the pest control industry and specializes in commercial and large facility pest control management. Standard Pest Control also specializes in ant, bed bug, cockroach, fly, and rodent control. Joshua is licensed by the NYSDEC (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) for termite control.

Joshua Bloom

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

Termites tend to be below or at grade areas of a structure where moisture is present. They often find their way in along construction gaps, like an expansion joint. Termites are also commonly found around basements, window sills, moldings, and beams.