Affiliate Disclaimer: All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Termites are one of the most destructive pests you can encounter as a homeowner. These wood-destroying insects can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home’s structural materials, demanding swift action at the first sign of an infestation. We’ve researched some of the best termite killers on the market to help you address your termite problem today.
The 4 Top Termite Killers
Here are four of the top DIY termite killers, based on our research:
- Spectracide Terminate
- BioAdvanced Termite Killer
- Ortho Home Defense MAX
- Terro Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer
Spectracide Terminate
Fast Facts:
- Product types: Stakes, sprays
- Active ingredients: Hexaflumuron (stakes only), lambda-cyhalothrin (aerosol and foam spray), prallethrin (foam spray only)
- State restrictions: None
Benefits and Drawbacks
Here are some key benefits and drawbacks of Spectracide Terminate:
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
Is available in three product formulations, including an expanding foam |
Is ineffective as a residual treatment for underground termites |
|
Is effective against most common types of termites |
Often has issues with a malfunctioning sprayer nozzle |
|
Is one of the most well-reviewed termite killers on Amazon |
How It Works
Spectracide formulates its termiticides for the treatment of above-ground termite infestations. Its spray products kill termites only through direct contact. Spectracide advertises that this application is effective against subterranean, damp-wood, and dry-wood termites. The foaming spray expands when applied, making it ideal for use in cracks and gaps in your home’s structure where you’ve noticed termite activity.
The termite stakes have a pop-up indicator that alerts you of termite activity. Spectracide designed this version of its product to target foraging termites around your home’s exterior. Note that Spectracide recommends scheduling a professional termite inspection at the first sign of an active infestation.
BioAdvanced Termite Killer
Fast Facts:
- Product types: Liquid concentrate, sprays, granules
- Active ingredients: Beta-cyfluthrin (liquid concentrate), deltamethrin (sprays), imidacloprid (granules)
- State restrictions: Granules unavailable in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Vermont
Benefits and Drawbacks
Here are some key benefits and drawbacks of BioAdvanced Termite Killer:
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
Has easy-to-use applicator design |
Only targets subterranean termites |
|
Covers up to 200 linear feet per package of granules |
Is most effective as a contact killer and may not work for large infestations |
|
Holds a customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon |
How It Works
The BioAdvanced product line is primarily designed for exterior applications; however, you can use the liquid concentrate and foam spray in indoor areas with suspected termite activity. The liquid pesticides kill on contact, while the granules seep into the soil over time to eliminate foraging termites. The BioAdvanced granules are most effective when sprinkled around the perimeter of your home’s foundation.
Ortho Home Defense MAX
Fast Facts:
- Product types: Liquid concentrate
- Active ingredients: Bifenthrin
- State restrictions: Not available in Massachusetts, New York, or Rhode Island
Benefits and Drawbacks
Here are some of the main benefits and drawbacks of Ortho Home Defense MAX:
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
Offers long-term termite protection |
Is only effective against subterranean termites |
|
Is easy to apply with a handheld sprayer or gardening can |
Isn’t designed for interior termite control |
|
Has positive reviews on Amazon and Lowes |
How It Works
Ortho works as a chemical barrier, poisoning termites that cross the barrier and ingest the pesticide. Ortho recommends digging a shallow trench around the perimeter of your home in which to apply its liquid concentrate, which you must mix with water and apply with a sprayer or watering can. This maximizes the product’s effectiveness against subterranean termites. Ortho claims that one application will provide lasting protection for up to five years.
Terro Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer
Fast Facts:
- Product types: Spray
- Active ingredients: Deltamethrin
- State restrictions: None
Benefits and Drawbacks
Here are some of the main benefits and drawbacks of Terro Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer:
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
Is designed for indoor and outdoor use |
Has mixed customer reviews mentioning limited effectiveness |
|
Features a two-way nozzle for spraying a wide area or directing a fine stream into structural cracks and gaps |
Only provides termite protection for up to one month |
|
Claims that its spray is odorless |
How It Works
Terro Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer is an aerosolized spray that functions as a contact killer and a residual treatment for termites. Its two-way nozzle is useful for spraying wide arcs of the pesticide over above-ground termites and fine streams into cracks and crevices as a spot treatment for suspected termite activity. Terro claims that this product will continue to treat termites for up to one month.
Signs of Termites
Here are some common signs of termites to look for when deciding whether you need termite treatment for your home:
- Damaged wood: Wooden materials in your home that become damaged without an apparent cause may be a sign of termites. Termites feed on the cellulose in wooden structures and can cause both visible and hidden damage. If you notice squeaky boards, hollow-sounding wood, buckling wood, or pinholes in your home’s drywall, you may have a termite infestation.
- Droppings and shed wings: Dry-wood termite colonies nest directly within the wood they consume. To dispose of fecal matter, these termites establish kick-out holes in the wood. These droppings will collect near the kick-out holes and often appear similar to small coffee grounds. Additionally, during a termite swarm, you may find piles of discarded wings around your home.
- Live termites: The clearest indication of a termite infestation is live termite activity. You may see foraging subterranean termites when you dig into the soil surrounding your home. During the breeding season, you may see winged termites swarming around dead wood, exterior lights, or near windows.
- Mud tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel to and from their nests and food courses. These small brown tunnels often appear on the foundation and siding of a home.
When to Contact a Professional Pest Control Service
Contact a pest control company at the first sign of a termite infestation. DIY products can be effective for small infestations, but it’s often difficult to determine the severity of an infestation without a professional inspection. Many pest control companies offer free inspections and can conduct an in-home visit within hours or days of your phone call.
Our Recommendation
We recommend using termite killers as a supplementary solution to hiring a professional pest control company. Termites can establish large colonies and remain hidden underground or deep within your home’s structure. This limits the usefulness of many DIY termite killers, but pest control specialists have the knowledge and experience to address a termite problem fast and effectively.
Terminix and Orkin are our top picks for professional termite control. Both companies provide free termite inspections. You will also qualify for a free reservice guarantee from either company when subscribing to an annual pest control plan. This means the company will return to your home for no extra cost to provide additional treatments if pest activity resumes between scheduled visits.
Termite Killer FAQ
How do the chemicals in termite killers work?
Many chemical pesticides in termite killers, such as bifenthrin and imidacloprid, disrupt the termite’s nervous system to cause death.
What types of termite treatments do professional pest control companies use?
A pest control professional will diagnose the severity of your home’s termite problem and identify the type of termite present before proposing a treatment plan. Often, they will use a mix of several termite control solutions. This may include liquid termiticides, termite bait systems and monitoring stations, and fumigation in the case of a severe dry-wood termite infestation.
What preventive measures can I take against termites?
The best course of action for preventing termites is scheduling a professional termite inspection for knowledgeable guidance. Pest control professionals have years of experience dealing with termites and can advise you on the best preventive measures. You can also repair plumbing leaks to limit moisture sources and keep firewood or wood debris away from the perimeter of your home.
How We Chose the Top Pest Control Companies
Our pest control research process starts with analyzing customer reviews on third-party websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google Reviews. We then do a deep dive into each company’s website, service plans, and available cost information. We also secret shop the companies we review, reach out to representatives, and request quotes.
From there, we compile the information we’ve gathered and compare each company using our in-depth pest control methodology and review criteria. This process uses a series of factors that are important to our readers, and we score each company depending on how well they perform in each factor. For instance, companies that offer more guarantees for their service earned more points than others, and pest control plans with a larger range of covered pests earned more points than ones with fewer.
After analyzing dozens of residential and commercial pest control businesses through this process, we were able to determine the best pest control companies on the market.