Beneficial nematodes and their use in the fight against termites

Discussion in 'Put Your Questions to the Experts!' started by Shobastian, Jun 21, 2017.

  1. Shobastian

    Shobastian New Member

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    We are in the begining our permaculture design and planting stages and we have sadly noticed how infested the land is with termites.
    The house is starting to show severe damage in the roof and the foundations from the infestation of termites.
    Our farm is in a region classified as dry tropical forest in Santander, North/Middle Colombia, very hot and dry but with good rainfall in rainy seasons.
    The house is built in a natural construction technique, typical to the area called 'tapia pisada' which directly tranlates to 'land which is stepped on' and consists of a lot of wood and roofs made with clay tiles sunken into wet mud on top of a layer of canes. So the termites love it!!

    We are looking for the best permaculture alternative that is truely effective. In our research we have come across the option of releasing beneficial nematodes into the garden/ foundations and roof of the house.

    Has anyone heard or themselves used nematodes?

    Thanks!!
     
  2. witingaia

    witingaia New Member

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    hola shobastian .. we also have had termite problems here in panama .. and up till recently found no bio solutions .. and carried on with the philosophy that more decompossing material on the land would keep them busy and the could become benefical .. recently though we have come across a product calked BOROX ... its a washing additive and is composed of the mineral Boron ... it is biodegradable ... and non harmful to hunans or anlmals ir plants ...it kills termites when they ingest it or r soaked in it .. wood treated with it will be safe ... we have only come across this in the last couple of weeks and has been so far succesful ..... we r not permaculture experts but r dedicated to project and r glad to pass on the info and hope u find it usefull ... there is lots of info on borax and boron onthe net beware of disinformation and scaremongering from the pest control industry ... peace and love ☘️
     
  3. Bryant RedHawk

    Bryant RedHawk Junior Member

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    Borax, as Witingaia mentions, is the most reliable organic solution for termites. Soaking wood in a borax solution and letting it dry will stop termites and molds from harming the wood. Boron (which is poisonous to humans) is bound up in the borax molecule so it is the safe way to utilize this mineral. There are several brands of Borax washing powders (20 mule team is probably the best known, at least in the USA).

    There are nematodes that are great for soil and for insect control but I don't know of any that purposely attack termites.
     

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