Treat Drywood Termites Naturally With This Delicious Smelling Oil

Drywood termites are the type of termites that nest where they eat — right inside of the wood they're munching on. Because of this, they can be secretly eating your house's structure without you knowing. They differ from other termites in that they don't find damp or rotting wood appetizing. They're picky, but that means they'll target the biggest structures in your house, like your floors and beams, so if you find them in your home, you need to take action fast. If you suspect you only have a few — and not a whole infestation — you can try to get rid of them yourself before calling an exterminator. And a great way to do so is with vetiver essential oil. 

Vetiver oil is extracted from vetiver grass, which is a fast-growing, feathered bunchgrass that can grow up to five feet tall. While you can grow the grass as an ornamental accent around your house to deter these pests, you can also use the essential oil to drive them out more aggressively. It's a great, all-natural way to try to solve your pest problem before resorting to harsh pesticides or professional services. Here's how to use vetiver essential oil to eliminate drywood termites.

The best way to get rid of the termites is to create a DIY repellent spray. Fill a spray bottle with water and add five to 10 drops of vetiver essential oil. If you suspect you have more than just a few termites, add more drops to make the spray more potent. Shake the ingredients thoroughly together and spray the mixture directly on the bugs or the areas where you noticed activity. This can include infested furniture, damaged floorboards, bitten baseboards, or anywhere else you see tunneling. 

This particular oil works to deter these chomping pests because of the nootkatone compound. It lowers the termites' appetites and their tunneling activity. This not only slows down their damage but can eventually kill them due to their weakened state. If you try this hack and notice that the spray is helping but you would like to give it a boost, try coupling it with another repellent. For example, use vetiver essential oil in tandem with diatomaceous earth. You can spray the infested areas with the essential oil and then use the diatomaceous earth to kill them. The powder is soft to the touch, but up close, it has jagged edges that will cut the termites' bodies, dehydrating them.