Protect Your Trees From Termites
Termites love wood which means they will also eat the source of all wood – TREES. While most termites prefer dead wood, some – including Formosan termites – will feed on live trees. When a colony forms in a tree, it will feed on the limbs and the even trunk. When termites eat the core of supporting limbs, it weakens the tree causing it to become unstable. They can even weaken the tree to the point that the tree will not survive. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) once estimated that about 30 percent of the live oak trees in New Orleans are infested with termites. However, termites can also infest cypress, ash and other types of trees. If the trees are not treated for termites, the termites will expand the colony and may target your nearby home as they grow in size.
What Happens To A Termite infested Tree During A Hurricane?
When a termite colony has inhabited a tree for a long time, they can eat the entire core of the tree. As a matter of fact, Formosan termites feed on the hardwood, the dead center of a tree, and can end up leaving the tree hollow. When this happens, the tree becomes structurally compromised. When high winds, for example a Hurricane, hit a tree that has been hollowed-out, it is more susceptible to falling from wind damage. Take a look at the oak tree in these images after Hurricane Zeta. The termites have eaten the entire core of the tree.
What You Can Do If Your Tree Is Infected By Termites?
Formosan termites can have millions of termites in a single colony. This means as soon as termites are noticed in a tree, treatment must been done quickly. A tree can survive a termite invasion, but they must be addressed by a trained, termite company.
There are a variety of signs that a tree may be infested with termites. One of the most common signs are termite holes in the trees. The holes are little tunnels leading into the tree’s trunk and branches. Discarded wings, dead termites, mud tubes, or small white eggs in the soil around the base of the tree may also be noticed.
If you spot any of these warning signs, call Terminix immediately. Terminix will inspect the trees for termites and help to determine if the tree can be saved. There are a variety of termite treatment options that range from a bait defense system to a complete tree removal. If the tree is already dead, it may have to be removed to avoid it falling. In order to determine the best steps, contact Terminix NOLA at 504-834-7330.
The best way to prevent termites from damaging trees is to actively monitor your trees as part of your termite control plan. If you are concerned about termites in your home or inside the trees near your home, call the experts at Terminix NOLA and we can go over the termite treatment and termite prevention options.