Your Zip Code:

Log In | Register Now | Help Center

Home » Bugs & Rodents » Bug & Rodent Articles & Videos » In & Around Your Home » How to Keep Termites Away from Your House

Bugs & Rodents

Send to a Friend

close

Please type your email address and your friend's email address. Then type a message and click send to a friend.

One or more errors have occurred:






    Hooray, it's on its way and should arrive shortly.

    How to Keep Termites Away from Your House

    Keep Termites Away from Treated Areas for up to 5 Years*

    termite larvae

    If you have wood in your house, termites are always potential visitors. The last thing you want is to make your home inviting to these destructive pests. Using Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Termite and Destructive Bug Killer Concentrate (Trenching), you can kill and control subterranean termites. Not only that, but you can keep termites away for up to 5 years in treated areas.* Here are the steps you should take to use this product effectively.

    *Not in MA, NY, or RI


    stacked wood

    Clear Away Wood and Debris

    Go around the perimeter of your house and pick up sticks, pieces of lumber, and other wood material. Termites live on wood and moisture; wood on the ground sounds like a complete meal for these pests.


    watering can

    Properly Mix Home Defense MAX Termite and Destructive Bug Killer

    Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Termite and Destructive Bug Killer is most effective when properly mixed. You want to add 3.2 fluid ounces per gallon of water for every 2 linear feet you're going to treat. Use a watering can to apply the mixture.


    basement

    If You Have a Poured Concrete Foundation

    If your house has a poured-concrete foundation, dig a trench around the perimeter of your house 6 inches wide and 4 inches deep or down to the footing (the base of your home's foundation), whichever is less. Pour half of your mixed product into the trench at the rate of 4 gallons per 10 linear feet per foot of depth. As you backfill, use a sprinkling can to pour the rest of the product over the trenched area.


    bike in a basement

    If You Have a Brick or Block Foundation

    If your house has a brick or block foundation, dig a trench 6 inches wide and 12 inches deep around the perimeter of your house. If the footing (the base of your home's foundation) is more than 12 inches deep, use a steel rod to make holes about a foot apart from the bottom of the trench down to the footing. If your soil is heavy clay, space the holes closer together. Pour half of your mixed product into the trench at the rate of 4 gallons per 10 linear feet per foot of depth. As you backfill, use a watering can to pour the rest of the product over the trenched area.


    How Often to Apply

    Reapplication for subterranean termites should only be made when there has been a disruption of the chemical barrier in the soil due to construction, excavation, landscaping, etc. Reapplication should be made as a spot treatment to those areas. Annual reapplication of the entire premises must be avoided.


    Related Products

    Ortho Home Defense MAX Termite & Destructive Bug Killer Concentrate (Trenching)

    » Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Termite & Destructive Bug Killer Concentrate (Trenching)


    Lawn App
    My Scotts Lawn App Manage your lawn right from your phone. Get friendly care reminders, exclusive offers, helpful tips and more.
    iTunes Store Google Play
    Ortho App
    Ortho Problem Solver AppHave lawn, garden or home pest control problem?
    Get the solution with the new Ortho Problem
    Solver App.
    iTunes Store Google Play