Termites And Vegetable Gardens: Why Are They There And How Can You Get Rid Of Them Safely?

Articles

If subterranean termites show up in your vegetable garden, you may want to know how you can get rid of them without harming your plants. Unlike drywood termites, which are easier to kill with chemical gases because they live in the home's structure, subterranean termites require special consideration. The pests usually create colonies beneath the soil, which makes it difficult to locate and eradicate them. When they seek food or new places to invade, subterranean termites leave their nests and venture out in the open. But with the right information and tips, you may have a fighting chance of protecting your vegetable garden and home.

What Type of Subterranean Termite Infestation Do You Have?

The first step to getting rid of your termite problem is to identify them. While there are many types of subterranean termites found in nature, some are more common than others are, including the formosan species. Formosan termites live all over the United States, but they tend to live in the southern regions of the country the most. In addition, formosan pests can live inside and outside the house if they find the right conditions, such as the moist soil in your vegetable garden.

Unless you dig into the soil, you may not see the pests' nymphs, queen, king, and workers. However, you may see the colonies' black to yellow-brown swarmers and dark brown soldiers. The swarmers have large, clear wings and generally leave the nesting sites to look for food and new shelters. The soldiers don't have wings and typically stay behind to guard the established colonies from ants and other insects that feed on their young. 

To get rid of the termites, you must take drastic steps in your garden.

How Do You Get Rid of the Termites?

The moisture in your vegetable garden most likely attracted the pests in the first place. If you place mulch or another type of water-absorbent material on the soil, you create an ideal place for the termites to live. The pests use the dampness to keep their bodies, eggs and colonies moist.

Using a gardening hoe, move the soil around in your garden. Perform this step until you see soldier termites, nymphs or winged termites. Once you locate any of these pests, you can move forward. 

First, use a shovel to remove as much soil as you can without damaging your vegetable plants. Place the soil in a large, plastic trash bag, then discard it in a container away from the house. Visit your local pest control store and purchase several bait stations. Bait stations come in different types and functions, but you want to use stations that won't release chemicals directly into the soil. In this case, use above-ground stations that draw termites to them.

You need to strategically place the stations around the garden and directly inside the opening of the colony in the garden to accomplish the job. The pests will feed from the stations, then carry pieces back to the queen, king, nymphs, and workers. It may take some time to get rid of the termites, or it may occur rapidly. The type of stations you use may affect how fast you eliminate the termites. If you're unsure about what type of above-ground stations to use, consult with a termite control specialist first.

After you eliminate the pests in your garden, inspect the soil regularly. If possible, change and add fresh mulch to the ground if it becomes overly damp or bogged down with water. Also, have your home and property inspected for termites during May through June, when termites tend to swarm the most. 

For more help in getting rid of the termites in your garden, contact a pest control company like E & R Exterminating Company, Inc. today.

Share

2 June 2016

Understanding Pest Control Products

Hey, I’m Trinity Bonner. Welcome to my site. I am here to discuss pest control products for individuals and professionals. There are various levels of pest control products on the market today. In the initial phases, individuals can use commercially available products to keep pests out of the home and kill those that invade. If the infestation worsens or continues, it may be necessary to call in a professional to use stronger products to eliminate the problem. I will use this site to explore these products, and their application requirements, in more detail. Please visit my site often to learn more.