Cedar shakes (stakes?) for termites? (house, university, garden)

[maestramommy]

So yesterday the gravel man comes to measure our house before laying stone. He asks what we want it for, and when I tell him for carpenter ants, termites and fungus, he gives me a look and says he thought I just wanted it for looks. He asks if I have a termite or carpenter ant problem, and when I say no his partner says I should just use cedar shakes. At least it sounded like cedar shakes, but maybe it was cedar stakes? Anyway, 2x2 sticks of cedar, about 8 inches long. I'm supposed to push them into the soil around my house, about 18 inches from the foundation, about 6 feet apart. They started chuckling and said if I really wanted to give them my money they'd take it, but really that's all I needed to do. Apparently termites don't like cedar. I'm to change the stakes out every 2 years. They also said if I called pest control they'd do the same thing, except use tube containers. They'd simply open the containers and change the sticks every 2 years.

We've never heard of this, and because we've gotten conflicting advice on every freaking issue concerning this house, I thought why not ask the folks on C-D and see if they can confirm or rebutt this claim. Any takers?

[BF66389]

There is a lot of "home remedy" advice out there. First, they are right that most insects don't like Cedar (one reason cedar lined closets are so popular).

However Carpenter Ants and Termites are both very tricky pests to deal with (though I know more about Carpenter ants than termites). The majority of what the companies place in the ground is actually a poisoned food that the termites take to their colony and spread around. Similar baits are used for carpenter ants (the treatment at our place is primarily Dupont Advion gel- I can eat it and it does nothing, not that I would...but when metabolized by an ant it makes their feces a potent neurotoxin to them and the other ants around). If your "pest control" company would even think to just put out cedar sticks- they would be ripping you off.

A REALLY good option is to call the agricultural extension center (usually part of UNH); they have some very knowledgeable folks on staff that can talk intelligently to almost any natural issue that could face a homeowner/landowner.

There is a lot of bad advice out there so its worth asking someone who actually has a good background in the subject.

[maestramommy]

Originally Posted by BF66389

There is a lot of "home remedy" advice out there. First, they are right that most insects don't like Cedar (one reason cedar lined closets are so popular).

However Carpenter Ants and Termites are both very tricky pests to deal with (though I know more about Carpenter ants than termites). The majority of what the companies place in the ground is actually a poisoned food that the termites take to their colony and spread around. Similar baits are used for carpenter ants (the treatment at our place is primarily Dupont Advion gel- I can eat it and it does nothing, not that I would...but when metabolized by an ant it makes their feces a potent neurotoxin to them and the other ants around). If your "pest control" company would even think to just put out cedar sticks- they would be ripping you off.

A REALLY good option is to call the agricultural extension center (usually part of UNH); they have some very knowledgeable folks on staff that can talk intelligently to almost any natural issue that could face a homeowner/landowner.

There is a lot of bad advice out there so its worth asking someone who actually has a good background in the subject.

Thanks for the reply! Now, what is UNH?

[jthibodeau]

University of New Hampshire.....

[maestramommy]

I was able to find the cooperative extension of UNH, which has a family, home and garden page, and an article on safely using wood burning stoves. Wow, there is tons of info on there, and I sent them an email. Thanks for the great reference!

[buck naked]

planting onions (or scallions) and marigolds will keep the critters away from the foundation.

[BF66389]

Originally Posted by maestramommy

I was able to find the cooperative extension of UNH, which has a family, home and garden page, and an article on safely using wood burning stoves. Wow, there is tons of info on there, and I sent them an email. Thanks for the great reference!

No problem. They always seem to be a good reference. Even if you have a wooded property and want to know the best way to manage it they will usually provide advice.