Termite Resistant Plants & Crops
Termite-resistant plants are not an effective way to protect your home from termites. Subterranean termites forage through all areas of the soil and can easily bypass a distasteful plant en route to your home. Termiticide treatments and bait systems offer much more effective control of termite populations.
While using plants alone will not protect your home from termite infestation, there are a few plants with insecticidal and repellent properties. For example, sweet basil and wild basil are common herbs that have insecticidal and insect repellent properties. American aloe is a succulent that thrives in arid climates; it has insecticidal and insect repellent properties. Garlic bulbs function as fungicides and repellent; they also cause termites to stop eating.
Each of these plants may help deter termites from taking up residence in your garden. However, plants do not offer near the protection or control benefits of termiticides and baits.
How to Treat Flowers for Termites
If you notice insect damage on plants, contact your pest management professional for proper identification of the insect. If your pest expert confirms termite activity, you likely will want to enact an immediate control program offering proven results.
Bait systems can be effective but use slow-acting ingredients to provide control. Your termite control specialist can recommend a solution that can preserve your garden and offer effective control.
Termite Treatment for a Garden
If termites have infested an edible garden, you may wish to try biological control measures, such as nematodes (microscopic worms). These worms are a natural predator of termites. Consult with a pest professional to choose a nematode that is beneficial to gardens and not parasitic to plants.
There also are some insecticides approved for crop use. Your termite control expert can help you choose and apply a product that will be effective against termites and appropriate for use around fruits and vegetables.
If Termites Are in Your Yard, Are They in Your Home?
If you notice termite activity near your home, you should schedule a termite inspection by a trained expert. Pest professionals can correctly identify termites versus other insects, locate warning signs for activity, and provide recommendations for prevention and control techniques around your home and garden.