Do not ignore termites in tree stump near your house.
Because if you do, then you’re exposing your home to a massive risk of termite infestation.
If there’s a termite-infested tree stump in or near your property, then it’s only a matter of time that termites will invade your home.
The best way to deal with the imminent threat of termite infestation is by getting termites in the tree stump in your house and your yard.
Let’s dive in.
Do Tree Stumps Attract Termites?
Yes, tree stumps do attract termites.
Termites invade a tree stump from underground to eat it and to make nests in it.
These termites that invade from the ground are known as subterranean termites.
Formosan termites, a type of subterranean termite, and dampwood termites can also infest tree stumps.
But you must know that termites in a tree stump are an undeniable sign of termite infestation in your yard.
Why Are There Termites In Tree Stump In Your House?
It’s because the termites are already in your yard and property.
And you should worry about the termites in your yard. It’s because your yard is always the source of subterranean and Formosan termite infestation in your home.
If your yard has termites, then it means it has all the things that attract termites.
Firewood in the yard, mulch, tree stumps, and foliage are the significant attractors of termites.
However, dampwood termites are unlikely to invade your home. They prefer to eat and nest in damp and rotting pieces of wood, which many homes don’t have.
What Are The Signs Of Termites In A Tree Stump?
How to tell if the tree stump has termites?
There are four signs of termites in a tree stump –
- There would be mud tubes all around the tree stump. If the infestation is severe, then there would be chunks of mud on the tree stump.
- If you tap the tree stump, it’d sound hollow.
- You’d see live termites in and around the tree stump.
- You’d also find piles of sawdust around the tree stump. These piles of sawdust are the feces of termites that they discard from their nests.
But here’s a catch.
Ants also nest in tree stumps. And the signs of ant infestation are also similar.
But there are two significant differences between termites in tree stumps and ants in tree stumps.
The first is that you’ll see white termites crawling in and around the tree stumps, not ants.
And second, which is the most significant difference, is the pile of sawdust. Ants won’t drop off sawdust when they infest tree stumps.
How To Get Rid Of Termites In Tree Stumps In Your House?
To get rid of termites in tree stumps, you’d need to remove the stump.
But before that, you’d need to kill the termites in the tree stump.
There are two ways to do it. Either use a mixture of boric acid and hot water or liquid insecticide.
No matter which one do you use, ensure that you pour enough so that the liquid soaks the entire tree stump.
Once the termites in the tree stump, remove the tree stump right from its root.
So, if you’re not an expert in digging around the tree stump and uprooting, it’d be best if you take professional help.
While uprooting the tree stump, you’d come across termite nests right underneath it.
So, keep the boric acid mixture or liquid insecticide with you. If you see the termites, pour the liquid on the termites.
(Please do read and apply the instructions on the liquid termite insecticide label before using.)
It’d kill the termites on contact.
But there’s one thing you should be aware of.
As we said earlier, termites in a tree stump in your house are a sign of termite infestation in your yard.
Even though the above process would eliminate termites from the tree stump, would it ensure that your yard is termite-free?
No, it won’t.
Termites in the tree stump are just one of the signs of termites in the yard.
We highly recommend that you read our post on how to get rid of termites in the yard.
It has a detailed laid out plan to make securing your yard from termites.
Remember, a termite-free yard is essential for a termite-free home.
Conclusion
Termites in a tree stump near your house is a tell-tale sign of termite infestation in your yard.
Tree stumps attract termites, and if they go untreated, these termites can quickly invade your home and they can also infest live trees.
To get rid of termites in the tree stump, pour insecticide or boric acid with hot water before uprooting the tree stump.
Remember not to burn the tree stump. It’s because burning the tree stump will not kill the termites living underneath the soil.
Dr. Thomas Orbert is a PhD in Entomology with extensive research experience in ectoparasites and microbials. He has also worked in the spaces of ecology conservation and has multiple years of experience in field research and scientific publishing.