Termites in Compost

[k_pip_k]

Hello,

I have a compost bin, with a lot of black gold brewing in it with worms, beetles, centipedes, millipedes and now termites. I need help figuring out how to get rid of them. Obviously they are very happy in the bin. I tried turning it over many times, in hopes of finding the queen, but no luck.

How can I get rid of them without poisons? I don't want to kill all the beneficial stuff in there, just the termites.

Thanks,

K

[Lar]

The nest will be under ground deeper than the frost line but above the water table and may be many feet away from the compost pile. Termites are part of the process breaking down the materials in the mulch so unless the pile is next to the house you can ignore them. If you wanted to, create a barrier with plastic sheets and that will slow them down until a break in the plastic occurs.

Lar

[George.com]

indeed, unless they pose a problem to trees or buildings around the compost bin just leave them to do a job on your compost for you.

rob

[len garden]

g'day ken,

i agree with rob & lar, here so long as you ahve your termite barriere properly maintained around your home and out buildings there is nothing much that you should/could do to keep termites out of any part of our gardening project.

and actually disturbing them could make them move onto greener pastures so to speak, that could be your home. not all subterrainian temites are pests to the home, and the main nest could very well be hundreds of meters away from your compost pile.

snipped With peace and brightest of blessings,

len & bev

-- "Be Content With What You Have And May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In A World That You May Not Understand."

[symplastless]

I may be wrong, but a exterminator once told me if you transfer the compost to another area that the termites will not survive the trip. They have to travel underground.

Sincerely, John A. Keslick, Jr. Arborist

Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology. Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us that we are not the boss.

[Lar]

A mass of feeding termites will be made up of various stages of young termites that do the actual eating, soldier termites to guard in case area is attacked and under developed secondary reproductives, looking for a free meal. If a mass of these groups are relocated and there is moisture to be found the secondaries may develop to the new colonies queen/king and continue on as a new colony.

Lar