Termites are a natural occurrence in the soil, termites feed on the cellulose existing in wood and plant roots,
They would stay hidden until when they are grown, they are mainly attracted to light sources and will be more active in the garden settings.
Damp places are very attractive spots for termites to thrive, it is the perfect climate for termites to dwell, and wherever there is moisture, there are termites.
Seeing termites in their larvae stage is quite difficult but once grown, they are noticeable.
Even though termites do not eat live plants, their foraging habits can make it difficult for your plants to thrive which is why it is important to get rid of them.
There are several ways you can get rid of termites from the soil organically and without ending up killing your plants in the process.
You can start by using termite baits, termite baits will help you in getting rid of termites from your soil without damaging your plants in the process,
You can either set termites baits below or above the ground, the baits set below are burrowed into the soil while the baits above are set in areas where termites are more active.
How Do You Get Rid of Termites In Garden Soil?
There are toxicants that you can use that will effectively get rid of termites from the soil and at the same time won’t end up killing your plants,
A lot of people have tried this method and they have worked for them nicely. Listed below are some of the ways you can get rid of termites in garden soil
- By using baits
- Making use of Orange oil
- White Vinegar
- Using Salt
- Nematodes
The first method we will be talking about is the bait method, we have already hinted at that point above, we will be talking about how to set baits and how it will get rid of the termites in the soil.
1. Using The Bait Method
By making use of the bait method, you can start by placing stations with woods that are not treated inside the soil,
if you know termites, you will know they enjoy eating wood, use that as a way to lure them, the next step is to monitor their feeding habits in your station.
Ensure that most of them are feeding in your wood monitors, once you have achieved that, proceed to put the actual wood with the toxicant, the toxicant is a substance that will stick to termites and spread into other termites to kill them.
These methods can eradicate the termites without harming your plants.
2. Orange Oil
Another thing that termites hate and kill termites without killing your plants is orange oil.
It is a normal termite exterminator, the orange oil has a natural D-Limonene, which is a pest control substance that melts the exoskeleton of the insects, all it does is kill the insects by destroying the exoskeleton of the insect.
Use the orange oil as a spray in termite-infested places, for humans, orange oil can irritate both your skin and eyes or even cause an upset stomach if ingested, so it should be handled with care.
3. White Vinegar
White vinegar juice mixed with two lemon juice and put in a spray bottle is another method of getting rid of termites,
it is very effective, start by spraying this mixture into the affected areas,
it is the easiest method, another place you can spray this mixture include wooden structures and nooks that termites can easily hide in, this mixture will sink deep into whatever it is sprayed on and end up killing the termites.
4. Making Use of Salt to Exterminate Termite
Salts can be used to kill termites when used in large concentrations.
Salts can dehydrate termites easily, use the salt method is by adding warm water to salt and mixing until it is fairly mixed and the salt dissolve,
The more salts you use the better, you can either put this solution inside a spray bottle or inside a syringe and then use directly in the affected areas.
5. Using Nematodes
Nematodes are used as a natural insect insecticide, they are safe for humans, plants, and animals that you ain’t targeting. The product is easy to use, works fast and is effective.
Before using Nematodes, determine the type of oil you have then buy the right nematode product for it, some nematode products are best suited for soils that are undisturbed while others are suited for cultivated soil.
To avoid UV from sunlight spoiling it, you should apply it in the morning or the evening.
You can only apply when the soil temperature is between 42 and 95° F, water the ground before and after the use of nematodes to help keep the ground moisturized, but not too much water so the ground does not get soaked.
Here is an article I wrote on how to filter garden soil
Are Termites In Garden Soil a Problem?
Yes, they are more of a nuisance than anything else, termites mainly feed on cellulose, and they will eat rotten wood.
The infestation of termites depends on the soil, the type of soil will heavily influence the activity and behavior of termites as termites nest deep within the soil.
The cellulose they feed on can be found on plants and trees, that is why you will see termites on the ground because they are close to the source of their food.
Termites in the soil can damage the roots of some crops if the conditions are ideal, then termites will feed on the roots and stems of plants like tomatoes, pepper, and other plants in your garden.
Can Salt Kill Termites?
Salt is very effective when it comes to getting rid of termites, it is very active against killing termites most especially when it is mixed with warm water.
Start by taking salt and cover the entire perimeter where you have noticed the activity of termites.
Do this regularly, to keep termites away from your house.
Also check out this article I wrote on how to fumigate garden soil
How Do You Get Rid of Termites Without Killing Your Plants?
There are natural ways of getting rid of termites without killing your plants, termites will feed on cellulose from your plants, and end up destroying your plants by feeding on their roots.
Termites, in their initial stage, are difficult to spot, until when they are grown, they live deep within the ground below the swap line.
If you do not want to use chemicals to get rid of termites because they will destroy your plant, then you can consider using natural methods to get rid of the termites.
Some ways of getting rid of termites naturally include removing mulch from your home,
Mulch is an ideal food source for termites, and mulch is made of cellulose and still retains moisture, so removing it from your house will be a good way of getting rid of termites.
Use UV light or clear up bushy areas to allow direct sunlight to hit the soil, termites won’t be able to survive under direct sunlight.
You can also use parasitic nematodes to feed on termites while leaving your wood intact.
Additionally, you can set up a cardboard trap by making use of corrugated cardboard, and have it placed near where you notice activities of termites,
When the termites get on the cardboard to feed, you can go ahead and burn the cardboard with the termite on it.
Conclusion
Termites do not cause harm to humans, but they can cause havoc to plants by eating their roots, but essentially, termites can help balance nutrients in the soil.
The bacteria in the gut of termites help extract nitrogen and recycle nitrogen in the soil.
Apart from using termites to recycle nitrogen in the soil, termites can be a source of destroying plants, and to get rid of them so as not to affect your plants you can set termite traps, make use of orange oil, aloe vera, and salt to get rid of them.
