Termite invasion
JOBURG - Swarms of termites take over suburbia after the rains.
Flying termites seem to have grown in numbers in recent years and are one of the many sights after our summer rains.
After a downpour, these winged creatures emerge from their underground burrows in search of new mates and territories to colonise.
Steve Spottiswoode, from Friends of Kloofendal, warns of the destructions termites can wreak on suburban homes.
“Be cautious not to let them in to your home. If they find a mate inside after they have shed their wings, they will be able to breed and colonise within any wooden structure inside your house,” he said, referring to wooden floors, as well as furniture. “This can have disastrous effects on your living circumstances.
“Friends of Kloofendal in no way condones killing any living organism, but these termite colonies have threatened to reach pest proportions.”
He advised that you take a torch after dusk to look for any colonies in your yard when the termites come out to scour for grass and other food.
Pouring a thick concentrated mixture of dishwashing liquid and water down the holes is an effective way of eradicating unwanted colonies.
“Their biggest natural predator is the aardvark, but due to there being no aardvarks naturally habituating suburban areas any more, these colonies are now allowed to flourish.”
Details: Friends of Kloofendal www.kloofendalfriends.org.za
