Termites often seek refuge in dark, damp places and are commonly found on objects that are made out of wood. If termites have infested wooden furniture on your front porch, eliminate them with one of the following methods. Once they are gone, continue to maintain the furniture so that you do not encounter an infestation in the future.

Citrus Oil

Citrus oil is effective in cleaning wood furniture and also works as a natural disinfectant and pest repellent. It contains D-limonene which is capable of eliminating a variety of pests. Spray the oil liberally onto a cloth and wipe the surface of each piece of furniture. Reapply daily until all signs of the termites have vanished. The citrus oil will give the furniture a fresh scent and can be used on other hard surfaces nearby that are commonly inhabited by termites or other household pests.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is derived from boron and is considered a natural insecticide. It does not emit any odors and is safe to use around pets and children. Sprinkle boric acid in the corners of each piece of furniture. It will eliminate the termites in two ways. When the termites walk through the powder, their exoskeletons will become damaged, causing them to die within days. If the termites ingest the powder, their digestive systems will fail, causing death.

The boric acid that you sprinkle on your furniture will remain effective for weeks. Once the termites have been eliminated, wipe off each piece of furniture with a damp, soapy cloth and dry them off with another cloth.

Soapy Water And Sunlight

Termites avoid sunlight and cannot survive after being exposed to it for long lengths of time. Remove all of the affected pieces of furniture and place them in your yard, in an area that receives direct sunlight. Clean the furniture well with mild detergent, water, and a sponge. Dry each piece off well with a lint free cloth. The termites will begin to die off as they are exposed to the sun's rays. After a couple days, lightly clean off the pieces of furniture before placing them back on your porch. 

After all of the termites have been eliminated, keep the furniture maintained by cleaning it regularly and drying the surface of each piece. Each season, inspect your furniture for a re-infestation and treat the pieces right away if a problem is found. A professional pest control company can also assist with spraying the pieces with powerful pesticides if needed.