Can Termites Kill a Tree?
WouterIf you live in an area with wooded land, you may be wondering if termites are a real problem. There are over 3,000 species of termites, so the answer is “yes”. If you have a termite infestation, you may want to consider removing your tree. Depending on the extent of the damage, this could mean removing the entire tree or simply trimming it.
The main reason that termites are a problem is because they eat dead wood. It’s not uncommon for an infested tree to fall, damaging property and causing liability issues with neighbors. The cost of repairing structural damages caused by termites is around $5 billion per year.
In addition to eating dead wood, termites can also hollow out trees. This makes them weaker and less stable, making them more vulnerable to hurricanes. This damage can lead to further problems, including the possibility of a house falling into the tree.
If you are interested in preventing a termite attack, you can use a jar of boric acid to treat the infested tree. This can be purchased from your local home improvement store or garden center. The liquid can be sprayed into the tree holes to keep the termites from moving on to other trees.
Another solution is to use a product that repels termites, such as a mixture of 250 ml of water with eight ounces of lavender oil. This mixture contains linalol, a chemical that termites do not like.
