Termites. Problem or live with them?

Hello,

Just saw termites. The frame was constructed last year. What would your guess be for the longevity of the wood frame? Also, are they a problem for the plants? Should I ignore them, and when the frame is gone replace it with a termite proof structure?

Thanks
Bart

Hi Bart

Termites can be a problem. Just be glad they are not in your house. I think I'd put vinegar in a spray bottle, and spray, outside first.  This will kill weeds too! Depends on the plant whether you can spray inside too. I would dilute vinegar to about 1/4. I would not spray plants directly, but you can spray the wood. Tomatoes, sw. potatoes and strawberries will love you.  Any acid loving plant would be ok. I don't think  I'd spray the inside til plant is spent for alkaline plants.
Here is a link for you to look over.

http://www.gogreenacademy.com/get-rid-of-termites-the-green-and-natural-way/

wet dirt + wood = termite potential. When I raised my beds late last year, I found quite a bit of termite damage for a little over a year on the ground. You can ignore them, raise your beds off the ground or rebuild using non-wood / cellulose material such as bricks.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t998-termites-in-sf-bottoms?highlight=termites

Forget the killing of termites, it may make you feel good, however it would be the same as trying to empty an ocean with a bucket.
You gotta kill the colony and to do that you need to read my story.

We had problems with termites for 30 years.
First episode which was treated by a professional co, was to drill holes inside and outside of our home, and blow in what they called a barrier, didnt kill, just kept them away.
$2000.00 for that one.15 years later..their back again..
New treatment and it works.
$1600.00
A termite needs to shed to grow, if they do not shed they die a natural death.
Tubes are placed in the soil with bait sticks that termites enjoy eating, when termites are detected these bait sticks are removed and special sticks are added into these tubes.
They enjoy eating this stuff also.
When they go back to their buddies they inform them how delicious this meal is, they all go and eat.
When termites eat this material they continue on with their lives, however when it comes time to shed they die, because this material keeps them from shedding.
The colony that was here isn't any more.
If you use a termite killer, it only kills the termites affected and not the colony, you want to eliminate the colony.

Why not look into using these baits for your termites, no affect on your garden such as a chemical material would have..
If I'm not mistaken I have seen these items on a small scale at our local Lowes store.

Eh.... I'll just wait until the current frame falls apart, then replace it with some sort of composite.