North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Chris Garriss <cgarriss@garriss.net>]

A related issue on termites - I have some newly grated (this spring, currently in 5 gallon nursery pots) apple trees that are doing well.  However, I noticed yesterday that some termites have taken up residence in in a couple of the pots.  I've no experience dealing with termites, and have always presumed they were interested in dead wood, lumber, etc.  Will they attack the rootstock roots even though they are growing vigorously?  And, what can I use to get rid of them without damaging the trees?

Thanks,
Chris
Zone 7 NC (trees will be planted Zone 6 in the fall)

On Sat, May 15, 2010 at 8:52 AM, dylanford <dylanford@optonline.net> wrote:

Lori

 

Do you have any old antibiotics around the house? 

 

Wetting the wood the termites are eating with antibiotics kills the bacteria in their gut that allpw them to digest wood. I have also heard that when termites die they are cannabalized by others, thus antibiotics are the gifty that keeps giving.

 

Alternately dilute boric acid has a similar effect.  dylan

----- Original Message -----

From: Lori Rizzo

To: 'North American Fruit Explorers'

Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2010 12:27 AM

Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Termites

Today I emptied our my whiskey barrels so I could prep them for my strawberries. I’ve had them 2 years, and they’re still holding together. Unfortunately, over the winter, the termites have moved in, and all the barrels were loaded with them.  Looks like we have to get termite control pretty quick, so I’ll do that for the house.  However, I had some termite & carpenter bee killer and thought about treating the barrels.  However, the stuff is so toxic, I don’t want to use it around my food gardens.  So, now, I’m thinking about painting or coating the barrels with something.  I hate to throw them out, but I can’t afford to board termites, either. 

 

Any suggestions?  This has never happened.  We just bought the house, and we required the house be treated up front because there were some signs of termites on some wooden railroad ties by the house.

 

Lori

 

Lori Rizzo, RN BSN MBA

Health Care Quality Improvement

Pet Training & Behavior Improvement!

Maryville, TN

larizzo@charter.net