4 Effective Ways to Deal With Termites in Your Garden

Photo Credit : Bianca Ackerman (Unsplash)

Do you know what to do if you find termites in your garden? Unfortunately, most people are unprepared for an instance such as this. Just like ants and aphids, termites have the potential to do a lot of damage in a garden. Termites are a major nuisance for gardeners because they threaten to destroy wooden structures in your outdoor area, especially if these aren’t made of a termite-resistant product.

While termites are naturally found in soil, you will rarely spot them in the early stages. In outdoor settings, termites only really become visible once they are fully grown and have multiplied, which is why an infestation is highly problematic. It’s in your best interest to take preventative measures where possible, before the problem gets out of hand:

Watch Out for Moisture

Termites thrive in damp spaces, so it is important to keep moisture to a minimum, especially in relation to any wooden items or structures. Be mindful of any logs, branches or other backyard items such as decking,  as these are all potential breeding grounds for termites. Furthermore, termites tend to gather close to gutters which means that downspouts have the potential to force these pests toward your garden, so watch out for any pools of water. 

Use Boric Acid to Tackle an Infestation Quickly

Boric acid is a readily available powder which is great for dealing with a broad range of insects. It usually only takes three to five days to have an impact on a termite infestation. If you aren’t a fan of insecticides, you’ll be pleased to know that this is less toxic than many of the others.  

Know What Won’t Work

Haphazardly trying to handle a termite infestation won’t get you very far. Without the right information, you’ll end up simply wasting time and money. Insect sprays rarely work on termites and can kill your plants. While it may do some damage to the termites on the surface, the spray won’t get to those that are buried deeper in the soil. A termite infestation needs to be tackled by getting to the root of the colony. Pine sleepers are another solution that should be avoided due to toxicity. These contain arsenic and risk poisoning your plants and any food you might be growing. 

Call in the Professionals

If you’ve tried handling the problem yourself and nothing seems to be working, the next step would be to call in the services of a pest control expert. These professionals usually have years of experience and will be able to exterminate termites more effectively by penetrating nests using certain chemicals. It is imperative to handle your termite infestation quickly, because although you may not consider it a huge issue within a garden setting, once it spreads to your home things have the potential to get really serious. 

Termites are a relatively unheard of issue when it comes to talking about garden pests. However, it is worth knowing about the risks a termite infestation in your garden can have on your home. Prevention is always better than cure so be mindful of moisture levels and keep an eye out for signs of termites when you’re gardening. Do your best to tackle an infestation as quickly as possible, and don’t hesitate to call in a professional if necessary.

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