Predators, Parasites And Pathogens: The Three P's Of Natural Termite Control And How They Work
Termites, albeit annoying little pests, are actually unaware that they are being pests. Most termites within the U.S. are just trying to establish a colony and find food. Sometimes people make the mistake of constructing people abodes and buildings too close to where these cockroach cousins are living, and then people are surprised when they find these pests in their homes or buildings. Whatever your situation with termites, you can safely eliminate them with natural termite control methods. These natural control methods are frequently referred to as the "three P's" of termite control-- predators, parasites and pathogens. Here is what these methods are and how they work.
Predators
Termites have a surprising number of predators who are all too content to make a meal out of these wood-chewing pests. Aardvarks and anteaters are not the only ones that would make a tasty meal of termites. A couple of species of spiders eat only termites, so if you do not mind having your building or home overrun with spiders for a few days, you could order a batch of termite-eating spiders. Other insects, including cockroaches, which are a cousin of the termite, will chomp down on them, but you would not want to replace termites with cockroaches. Birds as well as reptiles and amphibians enjoy termites as well, so other possible predators you could buy and set loose on the termites are frogs and toads, specifically burrowing toads which can dig deep into a termite mound and stuff itself silly with the pests. Several kinds of ants will also consume termites, so that may be another route to go.
Parasites
Parasites attach themselves to the termite and drain the pest of life juices. Some just chew their way through the termite's body. Either way you could destroy a colony of termites using the parasite method. Dipteran flies will make short work of a termite colony, and you can actually buy some dipteran flies and larvae by mail. Sprinkle the dipteran flies on or near the termites' mound and your termite problem will be gone in no time. Other parasites that will end the cycle of termites in your home or building are certain kinds of nematodes, microscopic cellular creatures that arrive in a spray cannister. (Because they are a live organism, be sure to keep the nematode "spray" away from other living things, including your pets, your children and yourself.)
Pathogens
Fungi of a very small sort love to grow all over and inside the termites. These pathogens become rampant when infected termites carry the fungi pathogens back to the nest/mound and share the illness with the rest of their pesky termite families. Another pathogen essentially gives termites an autoimmune disorder (like HIV for termites), but you will need the assistance of a professional pest control expert to use this pathogen for control.
For more information, contact Fowler Pest Control or a similar company.
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