The previous homeowner installed termite bait traps around my house’s perimeter. I am not sure the last time they were serviced and am doing some research on the exact chemical composition of what’s inside. They supposedly don’t leak into nearby soil, but I don’t want to invest years into growing a fruit tree/vines and end up not being able to eat them (or worse, eating them and getting sick)
Does anyone have relevant experience helping the toxins dissipate? I plan to dig them up ASAP and remove the nearby soil… to each his own but I don’t want poisons in my soil…
Does anyone have relevant experience growing in contaminated soil? Am I worrying for nothing, or are their certain things I should avoid planting (root vegetables, leafy greens, and even shrubs, trees)?
Is there a “safe distance” away? is 5 feet enough? They have them right where I wanted to plant grapes
I mean, the nice thing about bait stations is that they hold a solid block of bait, so only a tiny amount ever leaves the station, being carried by a termite. And even that is only if there was a termite colony next to that specific station.
My understanding is that the active ingredient is pretty specific to invertebrates. One of the common options only lists “mild eye irritation” on its MSDS.
I might be naive and am limited by a small yard, but I have bait stations right next to my fruit trees and have not worried.
Oh also…if the previous owner had stations, it might be because you need stations or something equally effective. Houses are yummy.
Thank you! Yes, they had a termite issue that we recently cleaned up (but I’ll save that for a woodworker forum!) I think you’re right about the bait stations that I shouldn’t worry that much because of how they work- it’s just a small amount of contaminated wood, so I shouldn’t have a problem to grow my grapevines or vegetables nearby (though I will likely move them a few feet just in case …)
Yeah I would not grow leafy or root vegetables right next to something I was worried about. And if it is an older house, the soil right next to the house could have all kinds of interesting things.
At least for the toxic metals, fruit tends not to accumulate much at all in the studies I’ve seen. Apparently it mostly accumulates in leaves, or is consumed as dust and soil sticking to things that are not well washed. I have not yet run into studies that look into that for other things like petroleum products and have been looking, since I have some fruit next to the street too.
