The Top 5 Termite Killers

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Written by Brenda Woods Updated 12/05/2024

If your home has been invaded by termites, it’s important to act fast to prevent extensive damage. There are tons of termite killers on the market, including liquid termiticide, baits, and direct chemical treatments.

Because choosing a termite killer can be overwhelming, we have done all the research for you, rounding up the top 5 termite killers. We’ve broken down our top picks by active ingredient, application method, pros and cons, and more.

While these treatments may help somewhat in the short term, they’re no match for termite control from professional pest control companies. We’ve shared the two best pest control companies to help you eradicate termites—Orkin and Terminix.

The 5 Best Termite Killers

We’ve selected the top five termite killers of the year, ranging from liquid treatments for barriers, to foams for spot treatments and bait stations. Here are the 5 best termite killers available on the market right now:

Most Popular: Taurus SC
Best Fast-acting: Bifen XTS
Best Bait: Spectracide Terminate
Best Direct Chemical Treatment: Termidor Foam
Best for DIY: BioAdvanced Termite Killer

Taurus SC: Most Popular

Pros & Cons

Pros

Effective against termites as well as other pests
Kills termites at the source
Used by professional pest control companies
Pet-friendly*

Cons

More costly than some alternatives
Proper application is effort-intensive, involving digging
Results take some time
Outside use only

*Fipronil, the active ingredient in many cat and dog flea medicines, is the active ingredient in this termiticide.

Snapshot

Active ingredient: Fipronil
Works in: Less than 90 days
Lasts for: Up to 10 years

This highly effective, highly concentrated termiticide is one of the best termite killers available. To use Taurus SC, you need to dig a six-inch trench around your home’s perimeter and pour the solution in every 10 feet.

Taurus SC is not a termite-repellent, which termites can detect. Instead, termites can’t smell this termiticide and don’t notice it—which is why they cross over it and bring the poison with them when they return to the colony, “infecting” the other termites. Taurus SC is not as fast-acting as some other termiticides, but it’s more thorough in that it fully eradicates the entire colony.

The termites will begin dying off in a few weeks, and by 90 days, the entire colony will be eliminated.

Taurus SC also kills off roaches, centipedes, wasps, ants, and other pests. However, it’s safe around pets—it shares its active ingredient with common pet flea medications.

Bifen XTA: Best Fast-acting

Pros & Cons

Pros

Kills many types of wood-eating pests
Fast-acting
Provides residual, preventative protection

Cons

May harm plant life
Has a strong odor

Snapshot

Active ingredient: Bifenthrin
Works in: 24 hours
Lasts for: 90 days

Bifen XTS is a fast-acting, oil-based termiticide that can kill termites in 24 hours by attacking their nervous systems. This treatment is not recommended for use indoors. Spray it around the perimeter of your home to kill termites.

Bifen XTS also works as a preventative measure—after spraying, it leaves residual material for up to eight weeks, killing any termites that come into contact with it. Bifen XTS is also an effective pest control solution for dozens of other kinds of pests.

We should note that Bifen XTS is oil-based, so if you aren’t careful spraying it, you may harm your garden.

Spectracide Terminate: Best Bait

Pros & Cons

Pros

Simple installation
Detects termite activity / easy to understand
No spraying needed

Cons

Only works on mild infestations
Need more maintenance than common sprays
Potentially toxic to aquatic creatures, so can’t be used near ponds

Snapshot

Active ingredient: Hexaflumuron
Works in: Time varies
Lasts for: One year

Spectracide Terminate may be a game-changer for you—it actually detects the presence of termites, which often go unnoticed until they’ve done a lot of damage. Spectracide Terminate has 15 stakes with pesticide-filled baits. The termite indicator couldn’t be simpler—it pops up as soon as the termite takes the bait.

Termites will pick up the poison and bring it back to their colony, transmitting it to all the other termites. Depending on the size of your home, you may need 10 or 20 stakes, so you may need to buy several packages.

To set up the Spectracide Terminate, you should place stakes no less than 10 feet apart around the perimeter of your home. Be sure to place them in moisture-high locations, like poor drainage areas. You should check the stakes every few months and replace them once a year.

Note: Spectracide Terminate features many strong chemicals and could poison any aquatic creatures you may have in your pond, like fish or frogs.

Termidor Foam: Best Direct Chemical Treatment

Pros & Cons

Pros

Can be used indoors
Single application can last for over a month
Single container good for many uses

Cons

May not be as effective as barriers or baits
Won’t protect the perimeter of your home

Snapshot

Active ingredient: Fipronil
Works in: 90 days
Lasts for: 4 to 6 weeks

Termidor Foam is a major win because it can be used directly inside of your home, unlike liquid barriers and baits. If you’re trying to dispatch termites in cracks and crevices in your house, use this treatment.

This foam works differently than a spray. After you release it from the can, it expands up to 30 times in volume. This means you can shoot foam into as many hard-to-reach places as you want, knowing it will poison many more termites than you can imagine upon contact.

Another plus—Termidor Foam is totally odorless, so it won’t cause noxious smells around your house.

BioAdvanced Termite Killer: Best for DIY

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy-to-use
Long-lasting results
Less toxic than some alternatives

Cons

Can only be used outdoors

Snapshot

Active ingredient: Imidacloprid
Works in: 3 to 4 weeks
Lasts for: Several months

BioAdvanced Termite Killer is an effective, easy-to-use termite killer made up of granules. Homeowners simply sprinkle the granules around the perimeter of their home, then water them until they’re moist. The moisture will cause the granules to disintegrate, releasing the active ingredient into the soil.

This termite killer has an active ingredient that’s highly toxic to insects but mostly harmless to humans.

Signs You May Have Termites

When it comes to spotting a termite problem, it’s not as easy as seeing a few crawling insects around your space, as termites themselves are notoriously hard to find. However, there are several common signs that may indicate you have termites. If you spot any of these, be sure to investigate further or call a professional pest control company.

Mud tubes—These are tunnels made up of wood and soil, about the width of a pencil, commonly found along your walls.
Hollow-sounding wood—If you tap on your wood and it sounds hollow, you may have termites eating your home from the inside out.
Discarded wings—When termites swarm, they shed their wings and leave them behind in large quantities.
Frass—If you spot small pellets by your woodwork, they may be termite excrement, also known as frass, signaling a nearby colony.
Peeling paint—Termites let moisture in between the paint and the wall, causing bubbles.

Types of Termite Killers

Termite killers come in two major types—liquid termiticides, either applied to a barrier or directly to the woodwork, or baits.

Liquid barriers. Professionals will often create a protective barrier around your home’s perimeter by digging a trench and applying a liquid termiticide to it. These treatments are non-repellent, so termites don’t notice them and carry the poison with them back to the colony after coming across it.
Direct liquid treatments. There are also direct liquid termiticide treatments called “spot treatments,” where professionals drill holes into the woodwork and shoot foam into them or apply foam to existing cracks and crevices. The foam works in the same way, killing the termites in the colony through poison transmission.
Baits. Termite baits are poison-filled traps placed strategically around your home’s perimeter. Termites are attracted to the wood, cellulose, or paper in the baits, which is laced with poison. Worker termites searching for food sources find it, eat it, and carry the poison back to the colony, spreading it to the others and eventually killing them.

Top Things to Consider when Choosing a Termite Killer

Termite problems are all serious, but different homeowners may be looking for different ways to get rid of termites. Before you select the best termite killer for you, consider the various factors that may be important in finding your best fit, like:

Type (liquid barrier, bait, or direct chemical application)
Your budget
Indoor vs outdoor use
Degree of infestation
Ease of use
If the treatment kills other pests
How long the solution takes to work
How long the solution lasts
How harsh the chemicals are
If it will affect your garden/plants

Common Active Ingredients in Termite Killers

There are several main active ingredients in popular termite killers, and some of them work in different ways.

Fipronil—This white, moldy-smelling powder kills termites by disrupting the functioning of their central nervous systems. Without these primary functions, the termites die.
Bifenthrin—This active ingredient is a pyrethroid insecticide, meaning it’s derived from naturally occurring chemicals in Chrysanthemum flowers. Bifenthrin prevents termites’ nerves from functioning, ultimately killing them.
Imidacloprid—This termite killer mimics nicotine, blocking a neuronal pathway and paralyzing the insect, ultimately killing it.
Hexaflumuron—This insect growth regulator works by inhibiting the termites’ growth, keeping them from growing a new exoskeleton. It eventually sterilizes the queen, eliminating the colony.

Top Recommendation for Termite Killers: Professional Pest Control

The most effective solution for killing and detecting termites is always hiring a professional pest control company. The top companies have decades of termite experience, highly trained termite specialists, and high-quality equipment and products.

For termite control, we recommend Orkin and Terminix.

Orkin

Orkin has 70 years of termite killing experience and uses an Assess, Implement, and Monitor approach. The primary treatment methods are Termidor liquid to eradicate existing termites, Sentricon bait and monitoring, and expanding dry foam and Orkinfoam.

Terminix

Terminix has been tackling pesky termite issues for 90 years. After a thorough inspection of your home, a trained specialist will dig a trench in your soil and drill a hole in your home’s slab to apply liquid treatment, as well as install bait stations around your home’s perimeter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best termite killer on the market?

The best termite killer for you will depend on what you’re looking for—do you want something for indoor use or outdoor use, something that acts quickly, or something on the more affordable side? We’ve provided a range of options in our top five, so you’re likely to find the best one for you on this list.

What is the most effective termite treatment?

The most effective termite treatment is done by professional pest control companies. These pros have commercial-grade equipment and products that typical homeowners don’t have access to, and they can offer different kinds of termite control, depending on the type of termite and degree of infestation.

What do professionals use to kill termites?

Different pest control professionals take different approaches. While many use a combination of termiticide liquid barriers and bait stations, some differ in additional treatments. For example, Orkin uses foams while Terminix does not.

Can I spray for termites myself?

Homeowners can spray termiticides themselves after digging a trench to act as a protective barrier or spray a foam inside the cracks and crevices of their home. However, the most effective methods will be performed by a professional pest control company.

How We Chose the Best Pest Control Companies

We are committed to providing unbiased and comprehensive reviews for our readers. This means earning your trust through transparency and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. With that in mind, we spent time creating an objective rating system to score each best pest control company. Here’s what that review process looks like:

We contact every pest control company via phone and online chat (if available), talking to representatives. We get quotes, ask questions, and fully understand each company’s pest control plans.
We test the customer service, including factors such as wait times, friendliness, and problem-solving ability.
We check and update all of the data and metrics on the companies on a regular basis to ensure we have the most current and accurate information.

With all of that data, we created a rating system to score each pest control company. Our rating system is a weighted, 100-point scale on the following factors:

Plan options (35): Every home and every pest problem has its specific needs when it comes to prevention and remediation. Companies with multiple plans and service offerings were given higher scores than those without.
State Availability (5): Where you live determines which providers are available. Companies available in more states were rated higher than those with less.
Trustworthiness (15): We consider companies that offer service guarantees and others more trustworthy and therefore scored higher.
Customer Service (35): This factor is based on our own research from calling providers, as well as their availability and guarantees for responses.
Additional Benefits (10): Companies who offer things like information about the products they use, have an app for customers, and other benefits were given higher ratings.

In summary, we reviewed over 40 companies to select this list of the best pest control companies. Our researchers check and update our data on all 40 companies each month to ensure the most accurate information.

Our Rating Methodology

We back up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plans and services, reputation and customer responses, customer service offerings, workmanship guarantees, financing, and availability to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.