Several species of termite such as coptotermes french & coptotermes acinaciformis are quite often found in numerous trees and the stumps of the trees plus landscaping sleeper left in the earth. Schedorhinotermes intermedius, another termite species, is occasionally found in stumps and trees, especially when the stumps are hidden via soil. In colonies that make mounds like nasutitermes exitiosus, a nest region is more readily located as it’s generally in the middle region of a mound structure. The termites can attack the timber in buildings and ground by making the subterranean gallery from a nest to food sources.
What Happens If Termites Make a Tree Hollow?
Contents
Since the termites eat the wood right from the inside of the tree, they may make the tree so unstable and weak that it can’t support itself. When that happens, trees may fall and can even cause injury or damage. Formosan subterranean are termites that can frequently be found as they are present in the soil around the base of the infested tree.
What Do Termites Look Like?
Far away from being the usual garden ant, the termites are quite easily distinguishable when one learns to notice the features. To ensure one correctly identifies the termites, look at the wings. They must be pretty long and of that equal length. The antennae must also be nice and straight rather than slightly bent. Only the reproductive termites possess the wings.
How to Identify Termites
Well, termites are pretty small and nearly similar in terms of size to the ants, which quite often leads to a bit of confusion. Owing to the secretive nature, the termites may be hard to recognize, particularly with the untrained eye. You’re far more inclined to spot the sign of termite damage ere you spot the termites themselves.
Species of termite vary in size, habits, preferred food, body features, part of the lifecycle, and even color. , there are a few general features that are similar and could be utilized to recognize termites and tell them from other insects or ants.
Signs of Termite Infestation in Trees
- Several termites will leave the small cuts and the wood shaving where they have entered the wood.
- And the finest place to check for them is near the base of a tree, or one can dig across the roots as termites generally exist only below the line of the soil.
- One may also go on to see termite carcasses & discarded wings.
- Other signs generally include the shelter tube on the trunk of the trees and the swarm ‘castle’ located within the scar of a tree or little white eggs.
How to Eliminate Termites in Trees
Cut the infected wood
Yes, you’d cut that affected wood asap as the signs of termite are discovered. Evidence can include the narrow tunnels via wood, little white eggs, the larger nesting chamber, or termite itself. Burn or simply destroy the wood asap to make sure that termites don’t spread from infested material.
Spray the liquid
One needs to spray termiticide in the 3-ft radius across the base of an infected tree alongside any other trees nearby that can be close adequate for the canopies to meet. Spray that tree trunk itself to the height of a couple of feet. It will go on to deter any additional termites from advancing the tree as the greener option to the business hydrocarbon-based termiticides goes on to use that biodegradable permethrin, i.e., based on insecticides, such as Dragnet or Torpedo.
Set the termite traps
You may go on to set the traps for termite around the region to alert all of you to the latest termite action. Simple wooden traps are available at the hardware store or the home improvement retailer, can well be driven into the soil and left as the bait for roving the termites, then checked regularly after pulled up.
Monitor the affected tree
One needs to monitor the infested tree carefully and repeat that spray treatment when any added evidence of the termites appears. Evade the new infestations by eradicating the old woodpile, rotting stump, or other inherent sites for the termite colonies.
How to Prevent Termites in Trees
There are numerous things one must avoid to simply lessen the possibility of the infestation of termite in their yard, home, or trees, including:
Omitting dead tree stump in the yard
As you read, you’d simply leave the stumps of the dead tree in the yard itself, and things will be looked after on their own.
Piling the firewood around the home
The next thing you may do is stacking the firewood around your home. This will help to prevent termites in the trees.
Piling excess mulch around the home
This is another method of keeping termites away from the trees and your home. Give it a try and see if it works. One may also hire an expert termite examiner to do the annual inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do termites harm trees?
While most termites attack the deadwood, when the termites infest the trees, they go on to consume the inside of the wood until a tree can’t stand any longer.
What termite species make trees hollow?
The bulk of termites species feast on the deadwood. However, some species feed on live trees and plants that include the Formosan termites.
What does a tree with termites look like?
- The discarded wings, the carcasses of the dead termites under the soil near the bottom of the tree.
- Small white eggs in the soil across the base of the tree.
- Pipes of mud on a trunk or a branch of the tree.
What trees attract termites?
Some of the top trees attracting termites are as follows-
- Palm Tree- Across the south, these palm trees are the common landscape fixture.
- Fruit Trees- The fruit trees as well appear to be the prime target for the termites.
- Conifers
- Deciduous Trees
- Dead or Rotted Trees
