Asked on Apr 08, 2014
How to get rid of termites in a tree stump?
by Michelle
+4
I have a tree and a few stumps that I need to cut down on the side of my house. The only worry I have is the tree is infested with termites. I'm afraid once the tree is disturbed they will migrate to my house. How can I safely remove the tree and stumps? Any advice on how to get rid of termites naturally before cutting them down?
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Stumps can invite bugs and termites in the right conditions. You can kill the stump and roots with chemicals, salt, or vinegar. If you go the vinegar route, it can take a long time. Another option is to use agricultural strength vinegar. Otherwise, just pay to have the stump ground out.
As long as they are far enough away from your house, it shouldn't cause problems. Use stump remover in the stumps to decompose them quicker. If nothing else, call someone who deals in termites and see if the tree and stumps are far enough away from the house to not cause issues.
I would wait for burn season, get a permit, and burn out the stump using a barrel to surround it with a hardware screen on top.
Termites travel through tunnels because they do not like sunlight. If the tree is within 10 feet or so I would have a termite company come out. Many companies do a free inspection in hopes that you will sign up. The chemicals used to treat termites are very toxic! If you live in an area where termites are a problem, then I would call in a professional. If the tree is far away from the house, I would just have the tree cut down and immediately taken away and look for a termite treatment for the area. Hope this helps
I suggest you call a professional arborist. You can find one near you who is licensed by the International Society for Arboriculture.