Discover Neem Oil > Submissions And Questions From Readers

Killing termites with neem oil

by Camille Monet
(Victoria, Australia)

My sisters and myself have been fortunate enough to be left two amazing Bamboo house built by our Artist Father Jason Monet. He built them on the top of a ridge near Ubud in Bali.

Sadly, due to Dad not following some simple engineering principals the houses are riddled
with termites. My family and I are not happy about using the synthetic chemicals which are normally used to fight termites in Bali.

We are looking for an alternative and neem oil has been suggested. From my reading it seems like it would not be dangerous to spray the inside and outside of the bamboo. At the moment we have many people and animals living at the property. I would really appreciate some information about how safe it is to Humans and animals and fish, and how careful we have to be while using it.

We have tested it on termites and it really seems to work, we can buy neem oil in Bali but I'm not sure of its quality, it is not dark in colour and dose not smell too much.

I will look forward to hearing from someone soon, Thank you
Camille

Comments for
Killing termites with neem oil

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Neem and termites NEW
by: Birgit

Hi Camille,
The safety of neem is already covered in extensive detail on this site.
Here are some pages:

Neem Safety and Side Effects (main page about neem safety concerns)
Is it safe to spray neem?
Is neem safe for fish?

Neem is not toxic. It is good for you and your animals, with the exception of the fish. Spray as much as you like, just make sure nothing gets into the water (ponds, aquariums etc.)

If you want more info, just use the search box at the very top of the site.

Unfortunately neem is not a solution to your problem.
Neem will kill termites, but only if you can get it on them, and you can't treat the inside of every cane of bamboo in your houses.
Even if you could, you would have to repeat this on a weekly or fortnightly basis, because the effect of neem does not last long.

Killing the termites in the house does not eradicate the nest. So even if you kill all that are in the bamboo, the others will come back. (Chemical solutions usually have a residual effect, or they are of the kind that the termites will take back to the nest to kill that as well. That's why it works to only use those chemicals on the house.)

You need to eradicate the whole nest, AND you need to implement some kind of termite barrier that prevents other colonies from entering in the future.

I am sorry that I don't have a simple, fail safe natural solution for you.
If you still want to pursue the natural solution I suggest you look into making your own termite bait, using either boric acid or neem or both.

There is no commercially available version of neem bait and no studies or info on it. You would need to do your own research.

By the way, it sounds as if the neem oil you are talking about buying is an inferior extract.
Termite must eradicate totally NEW
by: Fery Sucianto

Killing termites with neem oil sounds good, but it cannot kill all termites. We still need a chemical and pest control company to do the eradication.

If you have problem about termite in Bali, call me. Fery, 08813659773.
Sure termites can be controlled by... NEW
by: IbrahimRicardo "Opah"

Camille Hi.

The formulation is named "LongLife Bambu". It is a combination of Neem extract and Sodium Borate salts.

Though it's not sold commercially,(Untuk kalangan sendiri), I would be most happy to do a demo and try to eliminate the termites in your Ubud house.

I am an independent researcher. Satisfied users include: Warisan c/o Mr. Wayan Lam, Asali (French group, Bamboo builders, c/o Mr. Thierry)

I mix the brew in a small bamboo blinds shop called,"Maja Krey" Jl. Athena 08.(near the junction of Jl.Tangkuban Perahu). My home-phone is: 081236825101.

Neem+Boraxworks. I can promise you.

Bye for now. My email: bambu.co2trap@gmail.com
Termites in South India NEW
by: Michel

We are restoring a hundred-year house in South India. Most of the wooden structures are in teak-wood and not damaged. In some parts of the building the wood is attacked by 2 different species of termites. As we are surrounded by neem trees, and as I know the insecticide power of the oil, I would like to know if there is any chance to kill the nest with this any treatment based on a natural process.

Thanks for your reply
Michel Adment Architect
Shelf life of neem? NEW
by: Gemma

I came across a bottle of neem in my cupboard that has been there for years.I got it for treating termites. What shelf life does it have. Would it still be ok to use after 5/6 years?
Neem oil shelf life NEW
by: Birgit

Hi Gemma,
I can't remember of the top of my head where I wrote about it or I'd give you the link.
Anyway, the insecticidal components in neem are not very stable. They may last for about a year if the oil is kept cool and dark.
So no, your oil is no good for combatting termites any more.

But it may still have some repellent action, it may still be good for conditioning hair...
To be honest, I don't really know (and doubt anybody does) which of its many actions and ingredients last how long!
Al I know is that the insecticidal action will NOT last.

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