P184 - Regional IPM Centers

Sound Landscaping Forestall Termite Invasion to Homes
Xing Ping Hu
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Abstract
A termite IPM program involving 9 residential homes
with heterogeneous habitats was conducted from 2001 –
2011. Before chemical intervention, pre-treatment
structural and landscaping correction eliminated internal
termite activities in 3 of the 9 homes, thus only 6 homes
received Termidor perimeter plus localized treatment in
2001.
Following-up sound landscaping practices have kept
homes termite-free since then, indicating the profound
impact of landscaping on maintaining IPM sustainable
and meaningful. There are positive relationships between
the proportion of frequently watered flowerbed/garden
vs. the occurrence/territory of termites, and between
presence of tree-stump vs. termite abundance,
particularly in drought seasons and years.
Termite IPM Demonstration
Termite IPM is a site-specific on-going process aimed at
sustainable structural protection, built on communication
between interested stakeholders and comprehensive
knowledge of termites, structure, landscaping, and the
particular intervention technology.
A Termite IPM is demonstrated from 2001 – 2011,
involving 9 actively infested residential homes with
heterogeneous habitats. 2001 Treatments were:
Pre-treatment inspection:
- Locations of internal and external infestations
- Structural conditions conducive to termite attack
- Landscape conditions conducive to termite activity
- Termite species
Pre-treatment practices and homeowner education:
- Fix moisture problems associated with leaking
plumbing, roof, gutter, wall cracks/holes, etc.
- Remove wood and tree stumps, cut plant branches
adjacent to and in crawl-space of the structures;
relocate bush/mulch to > 3ft from structure, relocate
flower-bed, sprinkler/dripping >5 ft from structure
- Guide downspout and slope surface water away from
structure
Treatment:
- Termidor exterior perimeter plus internal active
location treatments
Post-treatment monitoring:
- In-ground buckets with wood-bundle around house
and randomly in landscape.
Implementation of Sound Landscaping
Practices
To maintain Termite IMP sustainable and meaningful,
landscaping plays an imperative role post-treatment.
From 2002-2011, the following landscaping practices
were implemented to minimize the risk from termites.
-Maintain clear ground (5 houses added a thin layer of
gravels at the request of owners) between “drenched
trench” and mulch/bush to house.
-No disturbance or cover of the “drenched trench” soil
-House-periphery free of wood, woody debris, water
-Maintain the 3-ft clear zone between bush/mulch and
house
-Gradually remove landscaping timbers and woody or
replace them with non-cellulosic materials
-Remove tree-stumps, dead trees, and woody debris
-Minimize moisture:
- Make the right plant choices: use native droughtresistant plants (such as: lantana, Indian hawthorn,
crape myrtles, lenten rose, rosemary, salvia, tea
olive, aspidistra, nandina, …) around houseperiphery
- Group together plants that need supplementary
water away from house
- Bermuda grass than Fescue
- Install cistern system or gray water system if
possible.
- Proportionally sprinkle/drip plants/flower-bed
- Use rain barrel collect water from downspout
-Remove infected plants and termite-susceptible plants
-Swimming pool: fix leaking promptly, install a waterproof wall between the pool and house
Results and Impacts
Termites presence and forage territory are
positively associated with the proportion of
frequently watered flowerbed/garden.
Termite abundance is strongly associated
with tree-stumps, particularly in drought
seasons and years. Termites occur in moist
locations.
The 9 houses have been termite-free since
2001. This project will continue unless
homeowners terminate collaborating effort.