How to Get Rid of Termites in Potted Plants
As a homeowner, knowing how to prevent and treat termites is essential. If your potted plants have been infested with termites, you must take action quickly before the problem spreads. In this article, We’ll explain how to eliminate termites in potted plants. There are many ways to kill termites.
Most people choose the cheapest and easiest way by applying a chemical termite killer spray on and around their plants. But what they don’t know is that this method has many drawbacks. It can be time-consuming, expensive, bad for the environment, and most importantly, ineffective at killing all types of termites. Read on to know more!
10 Ways on How to Get Rid of Termites in Potted Plants:
1. Add Organic Mulch to the Soil.
Organic mulch, such as bark or cocoa shell, acts as a barrier between the termites and the potting mix. As a result, it makes it harder for them to get into your plants.
2. Use a Soil Additive
The nematode is a microscopic worm that feeds on termite larvae in your plants’ pots, eventually killing them. Certain soil additives contain nematodes and release them into the pot when watered. Nematodes are effective against termites in potted plants only when planted in the soil.
3. Add Termite-resistant Plants
Plants with slightly acidic content, such as lavender, rosemary, and thyme, are less likely to attract termites. The slightly acidic substances don’t appeal to them: they prefer higher alkaline content. You can also try planting marigolds around and among your plants because marigolds repel termites.
4. Planting Flowers With a Spray
A non-toxic, decaffeinated tea made from the roots of daisies, dahlias, and chrysanthemums can be used as a natural alternative to chemical sprays. They contain pyrethrum, a natural insecticide that can protect your plants from termites.
5. Planting Cloves
Cloves can also be used as a natural alternative to chemical sprays. They repel termites with their strong smell. You can sprinkle them around the plant base or make a clove collar (wrap crushed cloves in pantyhose and tie it around the stem).
6. Planting Mint
Mint is not only a fragrant and tasty plant but also inhibits the growth of termites with its strong smell. You can make mint tea by cutting some mint leaves and steeping them in boiling water overnight. Then, strain the leaves out and pour the solution around the base of the plant.
7. Use Chemical Sprays
Although it can be expensive, some say this is the most efficient way to get rid of termites in potted plants. They suggest applying cypermethrin spray every six months to kill any newly hatched termites or prevent future infestations. Some brands that carry cypermethrin include Ortho and Spectracide.
8. Try Orange Oil or Fig Extract
According to some, these substances will deter termites from eating the plant roots in your garden soil because they find it undesirable. If this is true, you can try spraying them directly on the soil around your potted plants.
9. Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth, also known as DE, is made up of tiny fossilized algae called diatoms that are very sharp in structure and act like broken glass when termites or other pests come into contact with them. DE kills termites by dehydrating them. It is non-toxic to humans and pets, won’t poison beneficial insects, and can be sprinkled on the soil’s surface.
10. Boric Acid
Boric acid is a powder that you can use to kill termites in potted plants. You can draw termites by adding borax or syrup to the soil around your plant. However, studies have shown that boric acid is more effective when used on wood than on potted plants, so it’s best to use other methods instead.
You Can Check It Out to Prune a Corn Plant
Tips to Prevent Termites in the Future:
1. Keep your potted plants away from nearby trees and buildings. Termites may come from there and infest your potted plants.
2. Put a grout barrier or caulking around the top of each pot to keep termites out, or you can even put a thin sheet of metal over the top of the soil.
3. Be sure to water your potted plants evenly and thoroughly, but avoid getting water on the leaves, especially in any cracks that may harbor termites or their eggs or larvae.
4 Avoid fertilizing or overfeeding your plant as this can cause an increase in pests such as termites.
5. If you find termites on any of your plants (usually, the leaves will turn yellow and start to fall off), pull out the plant, inspect it for signs of infestation, and then isolate it until you can treat the problem appropriately.
6. Treat soil before repotting with a termite-killing chemical such as bifenthrin or cypermethrin.
You Can Check It Out to Make String of Pearls Fuller
How Do I Get Rid of Termites in My Soil Naturally?
Getting rid of termites in potted plants is possible, but it does take a lot of care and diligence. The goal is to kill the termites in the soil without harming your plant or you in the process. Before we get into doing this, we need to define what we mean by getting rid and termite control. Getting rid of termites in potted plants is not the same as killing them all in the soil.
Termites are insects and can be tough to kill when you don’t know their exact location. So you need to make it difficult for them to live without your plant being harmed by its environment or your treatments. The easiest way to do this is by making the soil less hospitable. To make it harder for them to eat your plant and easier for you to kill termites in potted plants, add diatomaceous earth (DE) to the potting mix.
Conclusion:
Termites are often found in potted plants and can cause significant damage to the plant. Luckily there is an easy way to get rid of termites in your potting soil at home. All you need for this process is a five-gallon bucket with a lid or large plastic bag with holes cut into it; water, one tablespoon of dish soap, and some cinnamon oil.
First, mix about 1/2 cup soapy water with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon oil per quart of water. Pour the mixture over the pots until they are completely submerged under the liquid. If you have a potted plant and want to know more about how to get rid of termites in potted plants, then read this full blog post. If you have any questions to ask, let us know in the comment section below.
