You can treat termites by yourself for very minor, localized drywood termite infestations in a piece of furniture that can be isolated, but for subterranean termite infestations that cause most structural damage with colonies containing millions of members underground, DIY treatment is generally not effective and professional treatment is strongly recommended to avoid costly damage. DIY treatment for subterranean termites is difficult because you need to trench around the entire foundation, drill through concrete slabs and porches, and apply commercial-grade non-repellent termiticide like fipronil at correct concentrations to create a continuous barrier in soil, which requires equipment, knowledge of termite behavior, and adherence to label laws, and over-the-counter repellent sprays can cause budding where surviving termites create new colonies elsewhere. If you attempt DIY, you can reduce conducive conditions by fixing leaks, improving drainage, removing wood-to-soil contact, and removing firewood and debris, which are important prevention steps. For small drywood termite spots, you can try DIY methods like injecting orange oil containing d-limonene directly into kick-out holes, applying borate treatments like Bora-Care to wood, or using beneficial nematodes in soil, but these have limited penetration. Professional inspection costs $75 to $150 and liquid barrier treatment costs $1,000 to $3,000 with warranties and monitoring, which is cheaper than repairing extensive damage from failed DIY attempts that can cost $10,000 or more. If you have any signs like mud tubes or hollow wood, contact a licensed pest control company for assessment before attempting DIY.
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