Termite infestation is one of the biggest problems you will encounter in gardening. Although this is a common scenario in a garden setting, it never fails to stress gardeners.
Killing Termites in your Garden involves easy and natural ways, including the use of apple cider vinegar, orange oil spray, borax powder, nematodes, wet cardboard, and botanical insecticides.
Two Simple Steps to Get Rid of Termites in The Garden
Just like every organism, termites also have their ecological function, which is to decompose organic matter. However, the problem with them is that they tend to grow in large colonies over time when left unchecked, causing significant damage to the Garden.
Here Are Two Easy Steps in Getting Rid of Termites in Your Garden:
1. Inspect Signs of Termites in Your Garden.
First, it’s essential to observe and carefully inspect your yard for any signs of termites.
By identifying all parts of the yard that are infested, will not only save you time, but you can then apply preventive measures in those areas to keep them from being overrun again.
The Following Are Clear Signs of Termite Infestation:
• Look around your Garden and tap on the woods of your trees or any wooden structure.
If it produces a hollow and dull sound, it means that the inside of it is already emptied by the termites.
• Blowholes in tree trunks are also a sign of termite infestation.
• The most obvious signs of termite infestation are mud tunnels. These work like highways to them. They are made up of the combined faeces, saliva, and mud that termites produce.
• Termites lose their wings after mating; hence, if you happen to see a pile of small wings on the ground, it can also indicate a termite infestation.
• Small black and grey grains piled on the ground could also be another sign of infestation as they could be termite droppings.
2. Apply Pest Controls.
Unlike popular belief, pesticides are not actually effective against termites.
First, they only kill termites on the surface, which does not do anything at all because most of the termites are deeply burrowed into the soils.
Most importantly, using pesticides can only harm and kill your plants in the Garden so it is highly discouraged to use them.
Here Are Easy and Natural Ways to Get Rid of Termites:
• Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural pesticide that can be used to kill termites. You only need to use half a cup of it and mix it with the extract of two lemons.
Place it in a bottle and spray it on areas in your Garden where you noted a termite infestation.
This solution is acidic enough to kill termites. Continue applying this until the desired result is achieved.
• Apply Orange Oil
The orange oil is derived from orange peels. It can be purchased online or in local gardening stores.
Orange is effective in eliminating termites because of its composition that is mostly d-limonene, a deadly chemical to termites.
Spraying this oil into termites will cause degradation of their exoskeletons, effectively killing them in the process.
Once again, find the areas where you suspected have been termite-infested, and spray orange oil all over them.
• Apply Borax Powder
Sodium borate, also known as borax powder, is a white substance commonly used as a household cleaner and laundry detergent.
This can disrupt the digestive system of the termites leading to their death.
You can pour this powder directly into the infected area, or you can mix it with water and spray it all over cracks and crevices where the termites swarm.
• Introduce Nematodes
Nematodes are microscopic parasitic worms that feed on termites. This method is the most natural and easiest way to get rid of termites.
You only need to make sure that the soil is moist enough so that they can thrive and feast on the termites.
These tiny worms can be bought in specialty stores or online. They are also effective termite control because they do not harm the plants in your garden.
Purchase significant amounts of these nematodes to effectively eliminate all termites in your Garden.
• Use Wet Cardboards
The wet cardboards will act as bait to lure the termites. Since most termites feed on cellulose and thrive in humid conditions, they will most likely gather on the wet cardboards bait.
Once the termites take the bait, you can then burn them altogether.
Simply sprinkle water on the cardboards and place it near the termite-infested area. You may need to repeat this process until you eliminate them all.
• Apply Botanical Insecticides
Unlike chemical insecticides, botanical insecticides are far less harmful. They are made of plants that have insecticide properties; hence, they easily decompose and do not cause that much harm to the environment.
You can spray these in infested areas. Repeat this on a regular basis for effective results.
3. Preventive Measures to Discourage Termites from Occupying Your Garden
There are things you unintentionally do every day that provide termites with a suitable environment. To prevent them from occupying your Garden once again, you must learn and correct these mistakes.
• Do Not Overwater Your Plants.
Most termites love damp and humid conditions. Avoid excessive watering to discourage them from attacking your plants.
• Do Not Grow Plants Too Close to Your House.
Plants need watering, and being too close to your house creates a humid environment that is conducive to termites.
• Keep Woods, Lumber, And Other Cellulose Away from Your Garden.
These unused woods will surely become infested sites of termites. It is better to keep them away to stop the termites from growing in large quantities that will spread to your whole Garden.
• Fix Leaking Drains and Gutters
Repair leaking drains and gutters in your house because the leaked waters will create too much moisture in the soil, which is a direct invitation for termites.
• Always Keep Moisture in Check.
If you are growing your Garden indoors, make sure they are ventilated enough to avoid humid conditions.
As for outdoor gardens, always look out for possible sources of leaking water that causes too much moisture in the soil. You can also transfer potted plants to cooler areas so that they don’t get too humid.
Final Thoughts
Although there are easy and natural ways to get rid of termites in your Garden, the best-case scenario is to take preventive measures to avoid termite infestation as much as possible.
Remember that your number one priority is to avoid humid conditions where termites thrive. Excessive watering is almost always the leading cause of termite infestation in gardening, so you must be very careful with that. Remove. Get unused logs and woods because they will make a splendid home for termites.
Pesticides do not help in eliminating termites, so do not be tempted into using them. Introducing nematodes is 100% the safest and most natural way to control termites.
If the recommended solutions above did not help you get rid of termites, then your next step will be to seek professional help. Many experienced technicians can help you protect your home and Garden from termite attacks. Most of them work quickly and neatly, and you can learn a lot from them. So call them – you’ll be glad you did.
Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited By
Patricia Godwin
