What To Do If You Find Termites In Your Yard

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Spotting signs of termites in the yard or near the house can strike fear in the hearts of homeowners, and for good reason. Termites are one of many types of bugs you don't want to find living in your home, due to the damage they can cause and the difficulty of eradicating them once they get inside the house. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage each year, and that damage can absolutely include your garden and precious plants. Termites can silently cause damage to your property and trees before you even know they are there. If you find termites in your yard, dealing with the problem immediately is essential for preventing additional destruction.

Recognizing the signs of termites in the yard can help you spot an infestation before it gets even bigger. Seeing winged termites, known as swarmers, flying in the yard is an indication that a large nearby colony is splitting into two colonies. Swarmers are most often seen in the spring and early summer months. Other signs that termites have moved into your yard include hollow or damaged wood, patches or mounds on the lawn, bubbling paint on wood surfaces, and mud tubes along the house, fence, trees, or outdoor furniture.

For mild infestations, DIY termite treatment methods may be effective at eliminating the problem. If you have multiple termite colonies in the yard or notice serious signs of a termite infestation inside your home, it is best to contact a professional. Otherwise, there are fortunately ways to get rid of termites without tenting or calling an exterminator, especially in your garden. Termite sprays and foams can be found in stores and online, such as BASF Termidor Foam from Amazon; just be sure to follow the directions.

Bait stations contain bait with a pesticide that termites eat and carry back to their nest to share with the colony. Boric acid and Borax are technically natural remedies, though they must be kept away from children and pets; you can spray this in areas that are infested with termites to help kill them, but it likely won't reach the colony.

If you prefer an even more natural solution, you may want to consider nematodes. These microscopic worms are safe for humans, plants, and animals, but deadly to termites at all stages of life. You can purchase nematodes at gardening retailers or online, like with Nature's Good Guys Live Beneficial Nematodes, which should do the trick. Just follow the directions and apply the nematodes early in the morning, when the soil is somewhat cool, and make sure not to fertilize your soil before or after. If you want to be especially careful, do some research to find out which species of nematode will work best for your soil.

In addition to treating the affected area with termite products or natural remedies, you will need to do some work in the yard. Any contaminated wood will need to be removed, including trees with termite infestations and any rotting wood in general. Make sure to store wood piles away from the house and raised off the ground, too. Use paint and sealers, or even pressure-treated wood with insecticides, on wood decks that have not been infected if you want to make sure that termites don't return after you banish them.