How to Get Rid of White Ants in the House? – 5 Simple Steps

Dealing with how to get rid of white ants in the house is a major concern for homeowners because termites (often called white ants) can cause serious and costly structural damage. If you’ve ever noticed strange mud tubes along your walls or tapped on wooden furniture only to find a hollow sound, there’s a good chance you’re facing a white ants problem. Knowing how to get rid of white ants in the house means acting quickly to protect your investment while keeping your home safe.

In this guide, we’ll discuss identification, prevention, and multiple treatment methods, ranging from simple home remedies to professional pest control. By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand how to get rid of white ants in the house effectively without wasting time or money.

What Are White Ants?

White ants are another name for termites, which feed on cellulose-based materials like wood and paper. They live in colonies that can number in the thousands and can silently destroy your home before you even notice, making knowledge of how to get rid of white ants in the house an essential skill for homeowners.

Unlike regular ants, termites have pale bodies, straight antennae, and often soft wings. They don’t forage for sugar or crumbs; instead, they target structural timber, furniture, books, and even insulation.

Types of Ants Found Indoors

Not every ant you spot at home is a white ant, and correct identification helps you choose the right removal strategy.

Type of Ant	Appearance	Habitat	Threat Level
White Ants (Termites)	Pale, soft-bodied, sometimes winged	Wood, wall voids	High
Carpenter Ants	Large black or reddish	Moist wood	High
Odorous House Ants	Small, dark brown	Soil, wall cracks	Medium
Argentine Ants	Brown	Near food, moist areas	Low
Pavement Ants	Dark brown	Pavement cracks	Low
Fire Ants	Reddish-brown	Outdoors	Medium

When dealing with termites, the solution always connects to how to get rid of white ants in the house, since carpenter ants require a different approach.

Signs of White Ant Infestation in the House

Early detection is vital. Recognizing the presence of white ants in the house can prevent serious property damage. Here are the main warning signs:

• Mud Shelter Tubes: White ants build protective mud tubes on foundations, walls, or architraves, which are often a clear indicator of their activity.
• Clicking Sounds: Large colonies produce faint clicking noises, especially when disturbed. This sound is made by soldier termites banging their heads.
• Hollow-Sounding Timber: Wood eaten from the inside out makes a hollow sound when tapped, sometimes appearing papery or blistered.
• Discarded Wings: After swarming, reproductive termites shed wings near windows or doors, often the only visible sign to homeowners.
• Frass (Termite Droppings): Look for sawdust-like piles near entry points or on surfaces close to the infestation.
• Sagging/Uneven Floors and Walls: Significant structural compromise can make doors and windows harder to open and affect the alignment of floors and ceilings.

Visible Sign	Likely Species	Damage Level
Mud tubes	White ant/termite	Severe structure
Discarded wings	Termite	Emerging colony
Hollow furniture	Termite/carpenter	Severe
Piles of frass	Termite	Ongoing
Noises in walls/floor	Termite	Large colony

Spotting these symptoms means you must learn how to get rid of white ants in the house immediately before they compromise your home’s structure.

How to Get Rid of White Ants in the House? – 5 Simple Steps

Tackling a white ant infestation begins with careful inspection—spotting mud tubes, hollow wood, and discarded wings confirms their presence. Removing attractants like moisture, wood debris, and unsealed entry points makes your home less inviting. For mild cases, natural remedies such as boric acid, diatomaceous earth, and neem oil offer eco-friendly relief. If the problem persists, targeted chemical treatments and ongoing prevention ensure your home stays protected for the long term.

1. Inspect and Confirm the Infestation

Thoroughly check wood, floors, and walls for damage. Mud tubes, droppings, and discarded wings are sure indicators. Confirming the problem is the first step in how to get rid of white ants in the house effectively.

• Tap wood surfaces for hollow sounds.
• Check for mud tubes, droppings, and discarded wings.
• Use a flashlight to inspect corners, skirting boards, and crawl spaces.
• Consider regular professional inspections every 1–3 years.

2. Remove Attractants and Entry Points

Reduce excess moisture, repair leaks, keep firewood off the ground, and seal foundation cracks. This preventive approach is part of how to get rid of white ants in the house long-term.

Creating an inhospitable environment discourages white ants:

• Eliminate moisture sources, fix leaks quickly.
• Remove wood debris from around the home’s foundation.
• Seal cracks, gaps, or holes in foundations and walls.
• Store wood and cardboard off the ground and away from direct contact with buildings.

3. Natural Remedies

Several home-based solutions are effective for mild cases:

• Boric Acid: Damages the nervous systems of white ants. Sprinkle boric acid powder along infested areas and entry points.
• Diatomaceous Earth: Razor-sharp fossilized algae particles dehydrate and kill ants/termites when sprinkled around nests and affected surfaces.
• White Vinegar + Lemon Juice: Mix 2 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp lemon juice, and ½ cup water. Spray this concoction onto nests, mud tubes, and infested wood each day for a week.
• Neem Oil: Derived from neem tree seeds and fruits, neem oil disrupts termite reproduction when consumed. Apply on surfaces or inject into mud tubes.
• Petroleum Jelly & Aloe Vera: Smother termites in hard-to-reach crevices with a thin layer of petroleum jelly or aloe.

Natural Remedy	Application Site	Main Effect	Safety Notes
Boric Acid	Entry points, mud tubes	Kills nervous system	Avoid contact with skin
Diatomaceous Earth	Surrounding nest/wood	Dehydrates pests	Wear mask/gloves
Vinegar + Lemon	Nests, cracks	Penetrates grooves	Safe for most surfaces
Neem Oil	Mud tubes, surface	Stops reproduction	Patch test for surface

These are safer options for mild infestations and an eco-friendly part of how to get rid of white ants in the house without harsh chemicals.

4. Targeted Chemical Treatments

If natural remedies prove insufficient, or if the infestation is extensive, chemical control is vital:

• Termite Bait: Place bait stations in areas of high activity. These contain slow-acting poisons that are carried back to the colony, decimating the population.
• Dust with Termiticide: Suitable for wall voids and inaccessible places. Dusts kill ants on contact and spread through the colony.
• Direct Chemical Insertion: Professional-grade chemicals can be injected directly into nests or mud tubes for targeted extermination.

These advanced steps are often needed in severe cases of how to get rid of white ants in the house when natural options aren’t enough.

5. Ongoing Prevention and Maintenance

Prevention is just as crucial as removal:

• Schedule professional inspections yearly.
• Maintain dry surroundings and repair leaks promptly.
• Store wooden materials away from the house’s foundation.
• Seal entry points and treat visible cracks with ant repellent solutions.
• Use pheromone disruptors or natural deterrents like peppermint oil in high-risk areas to reduce recurrence.
• Monitor for new signs each season, termite swarms tend to appear in spring.

How to Get Rid of White Ants in the House: Effective Methods for Quick Relief

Taking steps to eliminate and prevent white ant infestations involves a combination of DIY treatments, professional solutions, and ongoing vigilance.

DIY and Natural Remedies

• Boric acid: Mix boric acid powder with water and apply to infested areas. It poisons termites when ingested and is effective over time.
• Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle this natural powder around entry points. It dehydrates termites by damaging their exoskeletons.
• White vinegar and lemon juice: Combine equal parts and spray directly on visible termites or suspected entry points. Repeat daily for several days.
• Neem oil: Disrupts termites’ hormonal systems, preventing reproduction. Apply to wood and affected areas.
• Saltwater: Mix salt with warm water and pour into termite holes. This can help control minor infestations as a preventive measure.
• Sunlight exposure: Place infested wooden items in direct sunlight for several days. Heat and light can kill termites.

How to Get Rid of White Ants in the House? – Professional Treatments

• Termite bait stations: Installed around the property, these attract and poison termites, gradually eliminating the colony.
• Soil-applied barriers: Liquid termiticides create a chemical barrier in the soil around the foundation, preventing termites from entering.
• Fumigation: For severe drywood termite infestations, whole-structure fumigation may be necessary.
• Regular inspections: Annual professional inspections can detect early signs before significant damage occurs.

If the damage is extensive, hiring licensed experts is the fastest and most reliable route. Professionals understand exactly how to get rid of white ants in the house while ensuring complete colony removal.

Comparison: DIY vs. Professional White Ant Control

Method	Effectiveness	Cost	Time Required	Best For
Boric acid	Moderate	Low	Weeks	Mild infestations, prevention
Diatomaceous earth	Moderate	Low	Weeks	Entry points, prevention
Vinegar/lemon spray	Low-Moderate	Low	Days-Weeks	Surface treatment, prevention
Neem oil	Moderate	Low-Medium	Weeks	Ongoing prevention
Saltwater	Low	Low	Days-Weeks	Minor infestations, prevention
Professional bait	High	Medium-High	Months	Established colonies
Soil barrier	High	High	Days	Long-term prevention
Fumigation	Very High	Very High	Days	Severe drywood infestations

Knowing when to switch from DIY to expert solutions is part of mastering how to get rid of white ants in the house without wasting time or resources.

How to Get Rid of White Ants in the House? – Prevention Tips

• Reduce moisture: Fix leaks, ensure proper drainage, and ventilate crawl spaces to make your home less attractive to termites.
• Remove wood-to-soil contact: Keep firewood, mulch, and debris away from your home’s foundation.
• Seal entry points: Use caulk or sealant to close cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior.
• Regular maintenance: Inspect and maintain wooden structures, especially in basements, attics, and around windows and doors.

These steps are essential in how to get rid of white ants in the house and keep them from making a comeback.

Conclusion

Learning how to get rid of white ants in the house isn’t just about pest removal, it’s about preventing expensive repairs and keeping your property safe. Whether you prefer natural remedies, DIY chemicals, or professional help, the core principle is early detection and immediate action. Applying preventive measures ensures that how to get rid of white ants in the house becomes a one-time task rather than a recurring battle. By staying vigilant, you protect both your home’s structure and its value for years to come.

For comprehensive and hassle-free white ant removal and long-term pest prevention, trust the professionals at Antipest Office. Visit us at the Antipest Office, Our trained technicians use safe and effective methods to protect your home and business. For service bookings and consultations, call us at +91 9819018398 .

How to Get Rid of White Ants in the House? – FAQs