Monday, February 3, 2014

Various Methods Of Tucson Termite Control

By Jayne Rutledge


Termites play an important role in nature by helping to get rid of dead trees in forests. They facilitate the entry of fungi and bacteria that further help in decomposing fallen timber. This helps in ensuring there is no clogging of dead-falls. However, termites are unable to distinguish between what needs to be destroyed and what should not be destroyed. For the residents of Tucson termite control can be done in a number of ways.

Before any methods of control are adopted, the first step is to identify pest species required. This can be done by among other ways observing behavior of the pests and their damage pattern. The most destructive species of the termites are the fungus-growing ones. The termites in this species eat dead organic materials such as humus, crop residues and mulches. Whenever food is not available, these termites will invade plants like maize, groundnuts and millet.

Over the years, the technique of controlling termites that has been generally acceptable is the use of chemical pesticides. Nevertheless, chemicals are costly and have several harmful effects. These pesticides can quickly get into food chains and water sources, creating a hazard for human beings. The fact that many people are unable effectively read instructions and follow them also poses risks. Using pesticides also kills useful insects, destroying the balance existing between pests and useful predators that eat them.

Using natural methods is much cheaper than chemicals. This can be explained by the fact that in organic control, products and materials used are within the compound. One way is to add organic matter to the soils that lack them. Termites in such soils always resort to eating plant matter when they lack organic matter.

Through addition of compost or well-rotted manure to such soils, the quantity of organic matter will be increased. Termites are therefore controlled. There also is the option of encouraging predators that feed on the pests. Some of the insects that feed on termites include flies, wasps, spiders and beetles. Other predators include birds, frogs, reptiles, monkeys, bats and pangolin. Ways can be found of using such creatures to get rid of termites.

Control can also be achieved through the introduction of alternative food to the environment. One way to do this is introduce mulch at the base of plants. Materials that can be used as mulch include wood shavings, manure, hay and wood ash. Termites will feed on the mulch rather than plant material. However, this method may increase the population of termites as they will have abundant food.

Planting the same crops on a given piece of land every year tends to reduce soil fertility and structure. Crops that grow under such conditions will not only be weaker but also susceptible to termite attack. Crop rotation will be instrumental in reduction of termite attack.

For people that reside in Tucson termite control is able to be achieved using magnets. Placing very strong bar magnets near new mounds will stop their growth. Magnets disturb termite species which construct mounds in the north-south direction.




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