Re: termites??
Patrick GERVAIS wrote:
>
> South Mwanza (Tanzania)20/02/01
>
> Hi!
> I wonder if someone has some ideas about combatting or avoiding termits in
> laterite soil.
> Even Eucalyptus camadulensis is attackted.
> I put some ashes in quite big planting holes but they reach the plant after
> sometimes.
> Or give me alternative tree for the northern part of Tanzania which resist
> termits
> Thanks a lot in advance
Patrick
You do not say what you want the trees for. (Firewood, timber, shelter,
ornament??)
I left East Africa over forty years ago, but spent my childhood in
Kenya. I remember that on our coffee farm we also had occasional trouble
with termites destroying live Eucalyptus trees, but the only control I
remember being tried was the arsenical compound Paris Green which is
pretty dangerous and probably not even obtainable nowadays. I am sure
there must be more modern alternatives, but as I now live in a country
where termites are only very occasional (and most unwelcomed) visitors I
now know little about them.
I can do a bit better with suggestions for alternative species of tree.
None of these trees which we grew was attacked as far as I can recall.
Casurina Spp
Acacia decurrens (Also probably other Acacia spp)
Grevillea robusta
I suggest you also look around the neighbourhood for any sutable trees
which do not seem to attract the pests.
Otherwise there are probably some native species you could try. If they
are surviving successfully they must have some way of making themselves
unattractive to the termites.
Moira
PS My only visit to Mwanza, which I still remember with pleasure) was on
a holiday steamer trip round Lake Victoria (about 1953 as far as I can
remember).
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
