Search
Latest topics
» Birds of the Gardenby OhioGardener Yesterday at 8:26 pm
» N & C Midwest—May 2024
by OhioGardener Yesterday at 2:25 pm
» Ohio Gardener's Greenhouse
by OhioGardener 5/6/2024, 3:36 pm
» Greetings from Southport NC
by sanderson 5/6/2024, 4:36 am
» In the news: Biosolids in Texas.
by sanderson 5/6/2024, 4:19 am
» Rhubarb Rhubarb
by Scorpio Rising 5/5/2024, 7:57 pm
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by Scorpio Rising 5/5/2024, 7:55 pm
» Complicated mixed up bunny poop!
by jemm 5/5/2024, 7:24 pm
» Mark's first SFG
by markqz 5/4/2024, 12:08 am
» question about the digital tools from the sfg site.
by OhioGardener 5/2/2024, 4:50 pm
» Assistance Needed: Sugar Snap Peas Yellowing and Wilting
by Scorpio Rising 5/1/2024, 8:24 pm
» OMG, GMO from an unexpected place.
by sanderson 5/1/2024, 1:57 am
» N & C Midwest: March and April 2024
by Scorpio Rising 4/29/2024, 1:30 pm
» Lovage, has anyone grown, or used
by OhioGardener 4/29/2024, 12:27 pm
» New to SFG in Arlington, Tx
by sanderson 4/26/2024, 3:13 pm
» Soil Blocks: Tutorial In Photos
by OhioGardener 4/25/2024, 5:20 pm
» Manure tea overwintered outside - is it safe to use?
by Mhpoole 4/24/2024, 7:08 pm
» Advice on my blend
by donnainzone5 4/24/2024, 12:13 pm
» Senseless Banter...
by OhioGardener 4/24/2024, 8:16 am
» What do I do with tomato plants?
by SMEDLEY BUTLER 4/23/2024, 1:36 am
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by sanderson 4/22/2024, 2:07 pm
» Sacrificial Tomatoes
by SMEDLEY BUTLER 4/22/2024, 10:36 am
» From the Admin - 4th EDITION of All New Square Foot Gardening is in Progress
by sanderson 4/21/2024, 5:02 pm
» Seedling Identification
by AuntieBeth 4/21/2024, 8:00 am
» Happy Birthday!!
by AtlantaMarie 4/21/2024, 6:56 am
» Three Sisters Thursday
by sanderson 4/20/2024, 5:25 pm
» Recommended store bought compost - Photos of composts
by sanderson 4/20/2024, 3:08 pm
» Compost not hot
by Guinevere 4/19/2024, 11:19 am
» Maybe a silly question but...
by sanderson 4/18/2024, 11:22 pm
» Hi from zone 10B--southern orange county, ca
by sanderson 4/18/2024, 12:25 am
Google
Termites in SF bottoms?
+4
sanderson
Kabaju42
choksaw
junequilt
8 posters
Page 1 of 1
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.
junequilt- Posts : 319
Join date : 2010-03-22
Location : Columbia, SC (Zone 8)
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
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.
choksaw- Posts : 459
Join date : 2010-03-02
Age : 49
Location : New Port Richey FL.
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
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.
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.
Kabaju42- Posts : 249
Join date : 2010-03-03
Location : Salt Lake City, UT
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
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!
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!
junequilt- Posts : 319
Join date : 2010-03-22
Location : Columbia, SC (Zone 8)
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
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:
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:
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
I guess I need to take a closer look at my beds.
has55- Posts : 2387
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
Crud...
CapeCoddess- Posts : 6824
Join date : 2012-05-20
Age : 68
Location : elbow of the Cape, MA, Zone 6b/7a
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
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.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.
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
too risky, if people are involved. This is a case what you don't know will hurt you.
has55- Posts : 2387
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: Termites in SF bottoms?
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...
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...
TCgardening- Posts : 223
Join date : 2013-12-28
Age : 66
Location : Zone 10a Stuart, Fla
Similar topics
» Help! Termites!??
» 2018/2019 SFG in Brooks, GA
» Need Help Fast! I've got Termites in my SFG!!!
» should i be afraid are these termites
» Ants in my Plants... Bugs in my Beds?
» 2018/2019 SFG in Brooks, GA
» Need Help Fast! I've got Termites in my SFG!!!
» should i be afraid are these termites
» Ants in my Plants... Bugs in my Beds?
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|