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How to Kill Ground Termites

Ground termites, also known as subterranean termites, are wood eaters and cause more damage than their counterpart, dry wood termites. Ground termites create tunnels underground that can be up to 100 yards away from the main colony, which is one reason it is difficult to kill them. In addition, they let off a chemical odor that draws other termites to them, adding to the colony in a rapid manner. Ground termites are huge pests and can eat up to 15 lbs. of wood per week. It behooves you to learn to kill these troublemaking insects.

Things You'll Need

Chemical termite killer Termite bait poison

Instructions

- 1
  Treat your home or structure with a chemical barrier. One popular chemical is Premise-Imidacloprid 21.4 percent. Apply it to the ground around your structure, following the instructions on the package.
- 2
  Use a bait poison. Place the bait on the ground around your structure. The termites will eat the bait and also carry it back to the colony, where the poison will spread, killing the termites.
- 3
  Fix any problems in your structure that could allow ground termites to enter, such as foundation cracks, improperly sealed pipes or restraining-wall joins. If the termites can't enter your structure, they will die from lack of food.
- 4
  Get rid of the moisture source. If you live in a dry area but have a leaky pipe or roof, the chances are strong that, by fixing the leak you, will be able to kill the termites, as ground termites do dehydrate and die quickly if left without a water source.
- 5
  Dig up their nests and tunnels in the soil. Ground termites will die if they are exposed to the air for a while. Although digging up and disturbing their tunnels will kill some of the termites, it will probably not get rid of them for good, however. The best way to get rid of them permanently is to hire an exterminator.

Insects & Science