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snc
12-17-2010, 09:05 AM
Anyone know of something I could use to kill termites that have taken residence in my lemon tree pot? Thought about repotting but figured there will be eggs that would transfer over.

soundofthemusic1
12-17-2010, 09:55 AM
Anyone know of something I could use to kill termites that have taken residence in my lemon tree pot? Thought about repotting but figured there will be eggs that would transfer over.

Hi, Snc,

I don't have hand-on experience for treating terminte problems, but I found the following information from Scribd (http://www.scribd.com).

Innovative traditional methods of pest control
Control of termite:

(i) There is a general practice among women of Rajasthan to pour sugar
and flour around old tree trunks to attract common ant. This practice
is called ³kiri nagara sinchana´. This practice help to maintain required
population build up of ants in the area, which feed on termites. This
system, though related to religious faith, helps to maintain active
ant hills at different locations.

(ii) To prevent termite attack and cracking of epidermis in fruit trees some
cultivators reported application of a paste on main trunk of trees with a
mixture of mustard oil (1 lit) + turmeric powder (200 g). Mustard oil
attract ants which in turn remove termites. Turmeric powder helps in
healing the cracks.

(iii) Chopped aak (Calotropis) leaves filled in gunny bags were kept in
irrigation channel. The exudates from these leaves were reported to kill insects and other soil borne insects.

Not knowing how well those pest control methods will work, I hope other folks who are more experienced with termite problems can better help you. I myself would like to know what method really works because I have a lemon tree that needs to be planted LAST spring.

jjjankovsky
12-17-2010, 06:35 PM
In our place in Mexico, the termites come along about now with their mud trails full of bugs...

We are mostly worried about them in the house where they might discover the few wooden structures we have, but out on the land, they are not an apparent problem.

I have many fruit trees in my orchard that have termite trails up the trunks...but there is very little or no damage...a false trail.

When we really want to stop the infestation, we attack the trails with the politically correct version of "Penta" (pentachlorafinal in Mexico--banned up north...) which stops the critters.

good luck

George Webster
12-17-2010, 10:30 PM
A termite colony depends on one queen. Is the queen in the pot? Are there trails/tunnels from the pot to the main nest? If this pot is in a structure that contains wood, damage could be extensive. Whether the queen is in the pot or in the the ground in the vicinity, kill the queen and the colony dies. You may need a professional to treat the building where the pot is located.

George

snc
12-21-2010, 08:00 AM
The pot was outside all summer sitting in the yard. Termites are like ants where I am am due to the pine tree debis and moist conditions in the area. I can walk out in the back yard or vacant lots that surround meand turn over a log and see a colony. I am not worried about my house and/or the tree is doing fine it is only about 6 y/o and a couple of feet tall. Just wondering how to kill the the termites that have shacked up in the pot without killing the tree or having to re-pot.

George Webster
12-21-2010, 09:18 AM
The current preferred way to kill termites is with bait. A few years ago I bought some at Home Depot. It was available in many garden departments of other stores. I have not looked for it for a couple of years.

It is plastic stakes containging a piece of poisened wood. Not cheap.