Termites in SF bottoms?

Okay, so maybe this is seriously paranoid, but what happens to the plywood bottoms on SF beds as time goes by? Do they get -- yuck! -- termites? Just wondering.

Like any wood based substance thats used outdoors in the elements eventualy it will start to rot away and im sure some bugs will take up resident but the best part is you can empy the mix into a wheel barrow replace the wood bottom and then shovel the mix back in.

If you're in a terimite prone area then yes you can get teremites (and other bugs) eating away at the wood, but like chokesaw said, it shouldn't be that much of a problem. Personally I wouldn't worry about when the plywood bottom decays away, but when the sides are gone you'll want to replace them.

If you're really worried, then you can use ceder or pressure treated wood. Pressure treated wood is of course resistant to decay. Ceder actually naturally wards off termites, which is part of why it lasts longer outside.

Our new beds are cedar, and I hope they will last a long time even in South Carolina!

DH and I are still discussing the pros and cons of putting bottoms on the beds. We have a lot of common bermuda grass in the yard, and we just want to be able to keep it out of the beds as long as possible. That would make bottoms a definite pro!

Yes, termites in my beds.  We are in the immediate process of raising all of the 17 month old, or younger, boxes off the dirt.


This is what I found at the bottom of the one on the left:


Had to toss the lower row.  Nothing to screw the plywood bottom to.


This is the 2 x 4 on the right:

I guess I need to take a closer look at my beds.

Crud...

Kabaju42 wrote:If you're really worried, then you can use ceder or pressure treated wood.  Pressure treated wood is of course resistant to decay.  Ceder actually naturally wards off termites, which is part of why it lasts longer outside.

Just remember that if you use pressure-treated, you'll need to wrap plastic or something around it to keep the chemicals out of your plants if you're growing them for food or medicine.

too risky, if people are involved. This is a case what you don't know will hurt you.

Looks like California has a nasty termite problem like we do. Doesn't ever get cold enough to slow the buggers down. I had drywood in the house last year and have subterranean problems at a number of locations at work. We found Formosan termites in a Maple tree last year. They ate up a live tree! Just last week I found drywoods in a live Hickory tree in the backyard. Since you have a termite colony in the area of the garden so they will just keep eating your raised beds; unless you are going to use plastic wood. You may want to consider the bait stations for subterranean termites.
You can get them at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Advance-Termite-Monitoring-Stations-Station/dp/B00461K2BG
 or one of the DIY pest control websites
http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/advance-termite-bait-station-p-148.html
 The bait stations start off with just a piece of wood until there is active termite activity, they you install a active bait. The station can be placed a few feet outside of you beds so it shouldn't be a problem. You'll have to check with the manufacture to be sure. 
 It's just one option to consider...