Termite-Proofing Wooden Half-Barrels
To my chagrin, I discovered that placing half-barrels atop multiple riser blocks (cinder blocks, small concrete pieces, etc.) does not keep the termites out. If there are damp, dark interstitial gaps under a wooden planter, the termites will simply build their mud tunnels up to the wood and invade. A large, solid, continuous slab would thwart them, but I would rather avoid breaking my back dragging such large pieces around.
I'm wondering whether some kind of liner material could be placed under the planters, folded upward (perhaps an inch or so) all around the lower perimeter of the half-barrels, and then stapled or otherwise affixed into place.
Without careful vigilance, mulch, dirt, or other "bridging" material might eventually build up around protected half-barrels and allow the termites ingress. My vigilance is far from perfect, so I'm rather assuming that termites will eventually get in no matter what. But it would be nice to at least delay them for a few years; I'd rather they didn't start eating their way into nice new planters right away.
Anyway, I would appreciate any comments from the "brain trust".
The following thread was started by Ashok on May 12, 2008 at 6:16 pm PST
I never saw a price, but Home Depot near here have black painted fiberglass half wine barrows
Also in stead of fiberglass half barrows, what about cutting blue or etc water barrows in half, along with cutting weep holes, the termites won't bother them then. May not be real fancy looking, but they work and they last quite a long time.
I guess if you were not going to plant some edible plant in the pots, you could treat them with something.
David
David
The above followup was added by DavidLJ48, Waterford CA, zone14 on May 12, 2008 at 7:57 pm PST.
David,
Great ideas, but I already have the wooden planters. The plan is to use them for growing raspberries, so I couldn't treat the wood with any toxic chemicals.
The above followup was added by Ashok on May 12, 2008 at 9:42 pm PST.
I've had various things in oak wine/brandy barrels and have never seen termites in them. I've usually (but not always) put them on boards to keep them slightly off the ground (so water could drain out), and that might help since they don't have dorect contact with earth. Or maybe it is the odor of what's been in them or the density of the wood. There are some at my dad's place with some palms that have been there for about 30 years with no signs of termites.
The above followup was added by HarveyC on May 12, 2008 at 10:27 pm PST.
I wonder if concrete backer boards would work for you. At around 1/2" thick, definitely much lighter than say a 2 inch slab.
If you are looking for some tough liner material, EPDM rubber sheets should do the job. They are available as either pond liner or roofing membrane. They should be tough enough to support the weight and be moved around some and are gauranteed for 20 or more years for their outdoor applications.
The above followup was added by Paul - Fremont, CA on May 13, 2008 at 1:01 am PST.
Something that I've done with both wooden planters and porous earthenware containers from Mexico and Thailand is to coat the insides with Henry 204 Plastic Roof Cement. This is an asphaltic compound that goes on like tar but dries to a plastic-like consistency that bonds strongly to the substrate. You can get it in 1-gal. cans at the big box stores, and 1-gal. goes a long, long way. I don't know that it would termite-proof the container, but it should help put a barrier between direct contact between soil and wood. I usually leave the top couple of inches of the container uncoated so that it doesn't show above the soil line.
The above followup was added by Steve in Brookings on May 13, 2008 at 9:16 am PST.
If they are oak barrels..oak is a terrible wood outdoors,decaying fast. For alcohol it's fine of course. A natural preservative.
If you have them already just plant and enjoy..like the others said, minimal barrel-earth contact is about all you can do without spending enough money to buy something more permanent.
The above followup was added by Stan on May 13, 2008 at 4:56 pm PST.
Just last month I decided to relocate some half-barrels that had been on concrete decking, elevated about 2 inches off the ground for aeration and drainage. Wow, was I surprised to see fist-sized holes in the bottoms.
The above followup was added by Merbert on May 13, 2008 at 6:46 pm PST.
Steve and Paul:
Thanks for the great suggestions. I will look into the options you mention.
Harvey,
Perhaps those Central Valley termites are better-behaved than the ones in my vicinity!
Stan and Merbert,
Yes, letting nature take its course is certainly a possibility. As I mentioned before, I would like to delay the inevitable by a few years, if it can be done reasonably easily.
The above followup was added by Ashok on May 13, 2008 at 8:14 pm PST.
Ashok, a worker that helps me out (works mostly for my uncles on their farm) asked me if I wanted some half barrels and I said "sure". He brought over 8 of them last night and I immediately thought of you! Not sure that I wanted that many. I can get free 50 gallon plastic barrels from a place near Jeff and was planning on cutting some of those in half.
He also told me that they have an old 5,000 gallon wooden barrel I could have for free! Now, I'm just trying to think of how I could use that. I need to ask more about it.
The above followup was added by HarveyC on May 15, 2008 at 11:02 am PST.
I saw that on TV some time ago. And it was memorable. The guy put a deck around it..nice job. It was Redwood,not oak, and designed to hold water. Well,it was a farm water tank in its previous incarnation.
The above followup was added by stan on May 16, 2008 at 7:35 pm PST.
I remember that Christian Brothers had huge wine barrels that were made of redwood when I toured through there 30 years ago.
5,000 gallons would not make a very large swimming pool. I'm thinking I maybe I could use it as a backup water holding tank for power outages, etc. or maybe store rainwater from my gutters to irrigate some sensitive plants. Or maybe I'll turn it into a cool pool storage equipment/dressing room. I once saw a guy that ran a lock and key shop out of a converted barrel. I will go check it out to see what shape it's in. I may not even want it, though it's hard to pass up something for free! lol
The above followup was added by HarveyC on May 16, 2008 at 8:05 pm PST.
David
The above followup was added by DavidLJ48, Waterford CA, zone14 on May 17, 2008 at 1:30 am PST.