Natural Solutions to Things That Bug You (14 page)

There are over 300 varieties of termites in the world; however, only four varieties can be found in the United States. The problem termite is the “subterranean termite,” which is responsible for 95% of all damage.

Termites cannot be attracted to bait unless you place wooden stakes in the ground to see where they are. Once you can determine where they are foraging you can replace the wood with a bait to kill them. If you do identify a termite infestation the best thing to do is to call a professional.

GIMME A “D”, GIMME AN “E”

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is one of the safest and most effective termite controlling natural substances. Best to paint it on the exposed wood surfaces by using 1 part DE to ¼ part boric acid. Add the mixture to just enough water to make a paint consistency and paint it on all wood surfaces.

SPRAY THE CRAWL SPACES

The attic and all crawl spaces should be sprayed with the same DE, boric acid mixture. Just make the mixture very watery so that it will be easy to spray.

CALL FOR SHERLOCK HOLMES

If you can locate their colony in the infected wood, just remove the wood and replace it with new wood that has been treated. Make sure all tube pathways are located and removed or sprayed to make them unusable.

CALL FOR TEAM BORAX

    A good method of eliminating the termites is to use 20 Mule Team Borax™. Just dust their tunnels and it will eliminate the problem (providing you find all the tunnels). Try not to breathe in the dust particles (wear a mask). Borax can also be sprayed into their home and made into a paste and painted on the wood. Treating the wood with borax will provide you with a long-term solution.

BUILD A SAND MOAT

If you dig down 3 feet deep and 3 feet away from the house around your entire home, then place a layer of construction sand (90%) mixed with DE (10%) you will never have a termite problem. This is easier if you are building a new home since garden and trees tend to get in the way.

RING THE DINNER BELL

Nc nematodes (microscopic worms) have been used for hundreds of years to control and eliminate termites.

They can be ordered through a company called Arbico and are placed into the subterranean tubes to eat the termites.

TERMITE EATING PLANT

There is one plant in the world that is carnivorous and only eats termites. The pitcher plant
Nepenthes albomarginata
tends to entice the termites with white hairs that are all around the top of the plant. Termites find the hairs irresistible and fall prey to the plants sticky and slippery trap. Usually when the plant attracts one termite the rest of the nest follows. Unfortunately the plant only lives in the rain forest.

ESSENTIALLY YOURS

Two essential oils that can be purchased in a health food store are vetiver oil and clove bud oil. Vetiver oil has the ability to repel the termites and keep them away from your property, while the clove bud oil will kill the termites within two days of exposure. Both of these remedies are natural and safe.

HIRE SOME CARPENTER ANTS

    Carpenter ants are sworn enemies of termites and will kill them every chance they get. Actually almost any ant will fight termites. As far as using carpenter ants it is a dilemma, which is worse, the termites or the carpenter ants. Almost any other ant, however, would be beneficial to have around the house to control the termites. To identify the termites, remember that they have very thick waists, while ants have very thin waists (they probably exercise more).

CLEAN OUT THE SANDBOX

A layer of sand that has uniform particles will stop termite movement through the soil. This would be best if it were done pre-construction, especially for slab construction. Sand is a physical barrier through which termites avoid and cannot build tunnels in, since the tunnels would collapse easily.

PASS THE FUNGUS AMONGST US

A recently developed fungal strain (Metarhizium anisopliae) has been produced by the EcoScience Corporation and is an effective termiticide. It is odorless, has no vapors and will not stain. The termites can pass the fungus to other termites, which in turn spread it throughout the colony eliminating it.

CALL IN THE SPECIALISTS

There is one Nc nematode
(t
ermask)
that is very effective of getting rid of termites. You need to purchase them through an agricultural supply house and use injection equipment to apply them. Depending on how well the colony has sealed certain compartments will determine the effectiveness of this method.

  TERMITE PROOF A NEW HOME

Check with pest control companies regarding the type of foundation that will deter termites from entering the house. Brick and concrete foundations are among the best but there are no guarantees.

THE TERMITE DOG

Some termite companies now employ specially trained dogs to locate the termite colonies in and around your home. These dogs are called “Tadd” dogs and for additional information call (800) 354-TADD.

ALOE THE TERMITES

    Crush all the plant parts of an aloe plant in water and use 1 part aloe to 5 parts of water to be used as a spray. Allow it to stand for 1 hour before use and strain before placing into the sprayer. This spray works very well on termites

POPPY OIL DOES THE TRICK

The oil of the Mexican poppy is very effective in repelling termites from your property. It can be mixed with water as a spray or you can use the powder.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

If you place a piece of wood where the workers will find it and place the chemical “methoprene” on it, it will prevent the termite nymphs from maturing into adults, which are capable of reproducing. The workers will take the infected wood back to the colony for food.