Outdoors

[Travis_HD_ATL]

While riding my bike this week, I rode through a swarm of flying insects that were emerging from the side of the road. They were either flying ants or termites.

These insects swarm at certain times of the season, so I expect to have customers in my garden department asking about them this week.

Termite inspection should never wait. It needs to be continuous! Termites swarm a couple of times a year. They are coming from an established colony and looking to establish a new one. While they are flying, notice their source. If they are coming from your house, you have termites. If they are coming from your neighbor's house, watch for their activities around your house.

Inspect your home. Building codes are more effective against termites than any chemical can be. Make sure to have a minimum of 6" of concrete foundation exposed between the wood and the soil around your house. If you have concrete blocks, check for cap blocks and flashing at their top. Check all cracks for activity such as dirt trails that form as the termites move in.

Termites are everywhere, but they can be controlled. Continuous inspection is the key. When you spot activity, come see me or any other Garden Pro at The Home Depot for the right chemical to snuff out termites.

LawnRanger

[mugmaria]

I am now seeing subterranean termites swarming 3 feets away from my house, in the crack between the concrete pathway and the paver stones! I have seen workers and swarmers. I sprayed it with termicide I got from Home Depot 2 weeks ago, but it did not kill the termites completely, and swarming still goes on whenever it's warm. 

My house is sitting on a concrete slab and there's no crawl space below. Hence, there's no easy way to examine if there indeed is a colony beneath or not. I have seen some "dust" next to the crack of the concrete pathway at the junction with the exterior wall, and you can argue if it's just dust or termite droppings. My house has a formal termite inspection end of 2010 and no termites were found back then. It went through renovation last year, with some part of the wall cut out for wiring. My contractor did not warn me of any sign of abnormal behavior. However, they did not tear out all the way and it could likely a mud tub is there which is out of their sights. 

I got some quotes from Termite companies and what they suggest is to drill through the concrete pathway and put some termcide inside to kill the colony that may be hidden keep in the ground. They have a warranty of 2-3 years. 

1. Should I just treat my garden with stronger termicides myself? I have found some concentrate that I can mix up with water and pour it to the junctions of the concrete pathway and the paver stones. 
2. Or should I go with a Termite Company? They call it a preventative treatment.

I worried the impact of the treatment to my fruit trees in the garden, and the treatment does not seem to be long lasting either. 

I appreciate any suggestions! 

[Travis_HD_ATL]

Hi mugmaria,

Concrete slabs will force termites to go around them or through any cracks that develop in the slab. This is a physical barrier that causes the termites to show their activity. The spray that you used will kill termites on contact, but does little to eliminate the colony. Termites are like ants, but it takes stronger chemicals to control them. You know where they are, so treat that area with termite products that contain Imidacloprid and B-Cyfluthrin. Check the fine print on the product label for these active ingredients.

When you kill termites in an area, they will often avoid that area and try to go around it. Watch for this and treat any new activity with the products listed above.

When my house was treated for termites, they drilled holes every 18” across the concrete and pumped 1 gallon of mixed product for every 2’ of foundation. Imidacloprid was the chemical they used. Placing the chemical under the slab created a barrier to kill termites for up to 3 years.

As long as your slab is intact, you will be able to inspect the walls where they contact the slab and verify that there is pressure treated lumber between the concrete and the wall studs. The termites will have to tunnel around the base board where you can see the dirt that the tunnels are made of. Sooner or later, they will show themselves.

Exterminators can be pricey, but they can offer a guarantee. You be the judge to see what is best for your situation.

LawnRanger

[mugmaria]

Hi LawnRanger,

Thanks for the great info! I have bought a bottle of Bayer Advanced, but I have the concern of applying there because of close by fruit trees. The place where swarming occurs is around 13-15 feets away from the fruit trees. I wonder if the chemical may make my fruits not edible.

Thanks,

Maria

[Travis_HD_ATL]

Hi Maria,

Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer has both Imidacloprid and B-Cyfluthrin. The Imidacloprid is the systemic chemical. B-Cyfluthrin is topical and will not enter the plant through the root.

Bayer Advanced offer several products that one or more of these chemicals in combination. You should check out the active ingredient label of each product to determine which would be best for your specific application.

Imidacloprid is active in all of these products, although the concentration rate varies. Imidacloprid is systemic and is considered safe for consumption, unless you are an insect. It has been widely used for insect control in the production of oranges, grapes and tomato industries.

B-Cyfluthrin is generally more toxic than imidacloprid, but it is not systemic and will not contaminate plants or their fruit.

Imidacloprid is also known as Merit and Advantage products that are used as treatment to prevent fleas on animals.

These products are safe and effective as long as you read and follow all label instructions.

Enjoy your fruit this summer and zap those termites.

LawnRanger