Termites
Soil-dwelling social insects that eat roots and the base of stems, killing seedlings and weakening trees.
Also known as: White ants, Deemak, Uiporka
Symptoms and identification
Plants wilt and die suddenly. Mud tubes or tunnels run up stems and tree trunks, and the bark at the base looks covered with soil. Pulled-out plants show eaten roots and hollow stems.
Causes
Termites feed on dead wood and dry plant material and move on to living plants in dry soil. Undecomposed manure, woody debris and drought-stressed plants attract them.
Organic treatment
Drench the soil around affected plants with neem oil emulsion or neem cake extract. Break mud tubes on trunks and paint the lower trunk with a lime and copper paste. Remove infested debris.
Prevention
Use only well-rotted compost and manure. Remove dead wood and stumps, water regularly in dry spells, and mix neem cake into planting holes.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
For severe infestations near buildings or trees, a professional soil treatment with a registered termiticide may be needed.