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By:
County Extension Director
Homeowner Beware - Termites
are Swarming Again
One of the biggest threats
to homes in
Subterranean termites nest
in the soil as colonies ranging from a few thousand up to 10 million
individuals. The colonies are composed of workers, soldiers, and reproductives. The workers are the most numerous and are
the ones that actually damage wood. They are about 1/8 inch long, have no
wings, and are white to cream colored.
Winged reproductives
emerge from colonies in huge numbers typically twice a year: a large swarm
during the spring and a smaller swarm during fall. Winged termites emerging
from the ground near a house does not necessarily mean the house is infested,
but it is a good reason to check further. Large numbers of winged termites
inside a house are an indication of probable infestation.
The first line of defense
against termite infestation occurs when a home is built. During construction, a
professional pest control operator most commonly applies a chemical barrier to
block termite access. This barrier is known as a “termite pre-treatment.” A
thorough preconstruction treatment should be expected to protect the structure
for at least five years; but under less than ideal conditions or because of
improper application it can be much less. In
When infestations occur
after a structure has been built, liquid termiticides
are applied by one of three methods: rodding,
drilling, or trenching. In the first method, termiticide
is injected directly into the soil at specific intervals around the perimeter
of the house and beneath the slab with a rodder, an
injection tool with a long, hollow, metal rod. Drilling involves making holes
through concrete slabs, walls, and floors in order to treat the soil beneath
the slab or inside wall voids. Trenching involves digging a shallow trench
around the base of the home, applying termiticide to
the trench and the backfill and then refilling the trench.
Baiting systems provide an
alternative to liquid termiticides. Some bait
products are inserted below ground out in the yard, whereas others are
installed above ground level on the inside of the structure. Termite baits use
small amounts of insecticide to knock out populations of termites foraging in
and around the structure. Some baits may even
eradicate entire termite colonies. Regardless of which bait is used, it may
take several months to a year to eliminate termites from a structure.
Other treatment methods and
practices include the treatment of structural wood with borate-containing
compounds or the installation of physical barriers to termite infestation.
Termites will generally avoid wood that has been treated with borate compounds.
Wood can be industrially pre-treated before it arrives at the construction site
or field-treated during or after the structure is built.
Homeowners should consult a
reputable certified pest control professional rather than attempt home remedies
to control termites. Shop around for the best service at a reasonable price.
Get opinions from two or more pest control firms before deciding on treatments.
Have the salesperson certify in writing that the premise or structure is
infested and that a treatment is required. Read proposed contracts carefully to
know exactly what the company will do and guarantee.
Contracts and warranties for
post-construction treatment vary from company to company. However, the use of some terms in a contract have been specified in law
(Chap. 482.227, F.S.).
The duration of
post-construction contracts and warranties can vary from one year to five
years, depending on the policy of the pest control company.
The
For more information about
termites and their control contact your local Cooperative Extension Service
office. Information is also available at the
Extension Service programs
are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or
national origin.