How Can Termites Kill an Oak Tree?
Termites can attack an oak tree in different ways. They come from a colony in the soil surrounding the tree or they can come from the tree itself. If your tree is infested, you should remove the infected wood to prevent further infestation. If you have an extreme infestation, you might need to trim the entire tree.
When a tree is infested, the termites will drill holes into the wood. Termites will then swarm and start mating. The swarm will drop wings outside the food source. You should record the signs of activity in a notebook. If you see a large quantity of discarded wings, it is a sign of an infestation.
Termites will also leave piles of wood shavings and feces. If you see these, you should treat the area with insecticide. You can buy these at hardware stores or make a homemade termite killer spray.
Termites can be seen all year long. They can appear suddenly on the tree or they can remain hidden for a long time. If you spot a hole on the tree, you should apply a termite killer to the area. You can also burn infected wood to discourage termites.
The best way to prevent termite damage is to eliminate their food source. This can be done by removing excess wood around your home. You should also avoid stacking firewood or mulch. This will keep your foliage neat and prevent termites from entering your home.