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DIY Termite Control: Leave It to the Pros

Oct. 21, 2008 6:00 p.m.

There are small problems around the house the average homeowner can fix. A trip to the home repair store can get you some advice on what to do, and the parts you need to do it. Termite control is a serious matter – this is not a stuck door or a leaking sink, this is the entire house that is a stake. Your house is probably the largest single investment you have. Controlling or preventing an infestation of termites is not something you want done by an amateur – and that would be you.

Effective and long-lasting termite control requires 1) training and experience, 2) insecticides (termiticides) formulated specifically for termite control, and 3) the tools (pumps, hoses, soil rods and nozzles) to treat the soil. These components are linked. To buy and use termiticides you must be trained and then certified as capable to use them by a state and federal agency. You must apply termiticides according to specific directions given by the manufacturer, and with the tools listed in the product directions. Each house is different and that makes each application slightly different, and that is where experience becomes important. A professional knows what to do and how to handle the subtle differences in each house.

Termite control is not simply treating the soil around the house. Yearly inspections are a part of the treatment, and this second step requires the same level of training and experience. Subterranean termites can make their way through a two-inch gap of untreated soil, and they may find such a gap any time after the house is treated. Termiticide applications are evaluated every year by inspecting the house (foundation) for signs of termite activity. Inspections must be done carefully or the house is not protected.

Reference: Survivorship and Tunneling Activity of Reticulitermes flavipes in Response to Termiticide Soil Barriers With and Without Gaps of Untreated Soil. 1994. Brian Forschler. Journal of Entomological Science 29: 43-54.
 

From Suburbs to Cities: Termites Make Their Home in Both Locations

Sept. 22, 2008 9:42 a.m.

It seems to make sense that subterranean termites would have a difficult time surviving in cities – with all of the buildings and concrete, and little exposed soil. But they do just fine in large urban areas. New York, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo have their share of termite infestations. Swarms can occur in a hotel coffee shop on the 1st floor or in an apartment on the 17th floor. Subterranean termite colonies can survive in large cities by feeding on buried wood around building foundations, and sometimes in ground debris in parks and vacant lots. Colonies may not produce yearly swarms, and swarming may be in basements. In cities, colonies can reproduce by “budding,” which is when a portion of a large colony divides and forms a new one.

There are more termite colonies in suburban areas, and they occur more often in subdivisions built on land that was once wooded than agricultural land. There are natural habitats (parks, woodlots and dead trees) in or near suburbs and these can serve as a ‘reservoir habitat’ for termites. Swarms that originate from colonies in these reservoirs can provide the pairs of termites (future queens and kings) that will found new nests around houses and buildings.

As termite control materials and application methods become more effective, the number of termite colonies in both cities and suburbs might start to decline. This will be especially true in large cities, where there is a long history of termite control and there are few reservoir habitats to provide termite queens and kings with areas for new colonies. In suburban areas, where there are usually some natural areas, termites may have a better chance of surviving new control methods, but maybe not for long.

Reference: Eastern Subterranean Termite Foraging Territories and Populations in Toronto. 1989. J.K. Grace, A. Abdallay, and K.R. Farr. Canadian Entomologist 121: 551-556.

A Bad Reputation: Termites Share Their Good Side

Aug. 25, 2008 1:25 p.m.

There are many species of termites that occur naturally in the U.S., but only a small number are pests in houses and other structures. So, what are the rest of the termites doing if they are not thinking of ways to get into your house and chew on some timbers? Well, mostly good things.

Termites are one of only a few animals that can feed on cellulose (wood); they can use it as a food source. Cellulose is a strong and stable material that is naturally resistant to decay. But in natural habitats, it’s necessary to break down dead trees and other woody material and return nutrients to the soil. Termites do that with the help of some special microbes in their gut. The value or benefit of termites is most evident in the tropics where there are extensive forests and the soil can be shallow. Termites are busy there converting dead trees into useful soil.

Animals looking for a high protein meal do not overlook the termite colonies. The typical colony is large (thousands of workers and soldiers in the nest) and not difficult to find. Several animals, including chimpanzees, birds and ants will break into colonies to get a meal. For most of these animals, termites are not their main food source, but they can be an excellent source of proteins and fat. Humans have also figured out the food value of termites. Several cultures have recipes for cooking and eating termites. Yum.

Another way to look at termites is their position in the food chain in habitats that have a lot of trees and woody plants. In these habitats, termites may be the primary “reducers” of wood cellulose into usable by-products. Otherwise, forests would be littered with dead trees.

Reference: Urban Entomology: Insect and Mite Pests in the Human Environment. 1996. Wm. H. Robinson. Chapman & Hall, London, U.K. 

Southern Charm: Why Termites Make Their Home in the South

July 28, 2008 9:23 a.m.

The present distribution of subterranean termites in North America is probably very close to what it was when the Pilgrims arrived. The climate, soil conditions and available food supply in the southern U.S. favored the many species of native termites. Mild winters allowed for nearly year-round feeding and tunneling in the soil, the predominant sandy loam soil held moisture and was relatively loose, and the fast growing, short-lived pine trees in the region provided plenty of food. In general, these conditions have changed little, except termites now feed on the pine lumber in houses and not on the forest floor. Building practices during the early settlement of the southern states favored wood close to the ground, and houses with narrow crawl spaces and no basements.

The native subterranean termite species are still abundant in southern states, but not any more than they were originally. Several species have extended their range into northern states, to regions that did not have termites originally. But they are not as successful as their southern relatives. Soil conditions are rocky and often dry in the North because the region has lower rainfall; the winters are also long and springtime weather is erratic – both of which can disrupt swarming. The food supply in northern regions is primarily hardwoods.

The Formosan termite has joined the ranks of the native subterranean termite in the southern U.S. This species was introduced from Asia, and is now in states from Florida to California. As an introduced species it may not have the parasites and predators that the native North American species have, so it does very well. Formosan termite colonies are larger than the native species and their construction is slightly different, making this termite species more destructive.

Reference: Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests. 2000. Edited by R.E. Gold and S.C. Jones. Entomological Soc. of America.

When Termites Fly: Why These Bugs Take Flight

June 30, 2008 2:43 p.m.

Thousands of winged termites swarm out of underground nest sites in spring —with one objective in mind: to find a mate and build a nest, and eventually establish a new colony. Large numbers of males and females are produced in subterranean termite colonies in late winter and early spring. They are moved to specific locations in the nest (near the soil surface) and remain there until the time is right to leave. They may wait for several weeks, and have to be fed and groomed by nestmates. This scenario is played out in other colonies in the area – that’s important.

The value of swarming is for colonies to ‘exchange’ males and females for mating. In general, colonies use weather conditions to coordinate the release of their reproductives. They wait for calm winds (less than 6 mph) and overcast days following a spring rain. They don’t want a strong wind to blow everyone away from the big dance! Wet soil helps the new couples to build their first nest, and the extra humidity helps survival. Not all swarms occur outdoors. Sometimes the colony misjudges the release point and thousands of winged termites are released indoors. Regardless of the site (or lack of exchange with other colonies), the pairing, shedding of wings, mating and potential founding of a new nest all proceed without a hitch.

Colonies usually produce swarms once they have reached a certain size – based on the number of workers in the colony. The average colony produces swarms every year, but the number released varies. The release is usually staggered over a few days. There may be a large ‘first’ swarm, followed by smaller second and third swarms. Termites have a lot of swarming experience, and seem to make it work.

Reference: Urban Entomology: Insect and Mite Pests in the Human Environment. 1996. Wm. H. Robinson. Chapman & Hall, London, U.K.

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RE: Ttechnical Advisor
Thanks for your question, Subhash. There are actually two different ways termites can carry/transfer microbes – on or in their bodies and in the soil that they relocate to find different food sources (mud tubes). Termites carry the same types of microbes as many other organisms on and in their bodies. However, there are certain microbes, called protozoans, in the termite stomach that cannot survive after termites die (meaning it is not likely these microbes would contaminate your sample). Termites also transfer different microbes when they come up from the soil to create mud tubes. These tubes can contain a variety of microbes, like fungi and bacteria – although the exact type of microbe depends on the soil type, temperature and climate. I recommend you get in touch with a soil microbiologist to determine your soil type, which should help you figure out which microbes could be affecting your sample.
Posted By: Ron Harrison, Ph.D., Orkin Technical Director
2008-11-05 2:29 PM

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Ttechnical Advisor
The cleanroom area of a pharamceutical parenteral facilty has wooden partitions which over a period of time has been badly infested with sub soil termites. The area in question however has been treated extensively with Chloropyrophos and all the termites hv been destroyed.However we hv sometimes witnessed microbial contamination in the finished product. As a part of root cause analysis I suspect this contamination is due to dead remanents( body parts ) of termites still pervailing in the cleanroom environment. May I know the name of microbes which are present on dead body parts of termites so that I may be able to do differnetial identification of these microbes and single out particular microbe as a root causative agent of contamination . A list of such microbes may kindly be provided to me for my guidance. Regards, Subhash
Posted By: subhash chopra
2008-11-02 12:29 AM

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RE: Home owner
It is not common for termites to attack redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)trees--this is one of the wood species that is considered to be resistant to termites. Perhaps the damage to the wood has been done by other insects, such as a longhorned beetle.
Posted By: William H Robinson, Ph.D.
2008-07-01 4:37 PM

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Home owner
I bought a old homestead which was infested due to general wood to ground contact. the house was lifted and lost as a food source for the colonies below ground. This could not be achieved for the redwoods trees on the property. The termites are now eating the sap wood on all the trees. Branches no longer capable of transporting water are dying. If a branch is stripped or its bark, there are termite tunnels all through the Outer white wood layer, What can I do?
Posted By: kurt alfred
2008-06-25 8:37 PM

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RE: Director, Health, Safetyand Environment
Termidor has been used for subterranean termite control around the world for about 10 years. The active ingredient in Termidor is fipronil; this insecticide is toxic to insects at very low concentrations, but it is relatively non-toxic to other animals. For termite control it is typically applied as a 0.06% concentration (most termiticides are applied at 1%). It is injected into the soil to a depth of 4 feet or less, depending on height of the foundation or concrete slab. This application method establishes a zone of treated soil around the perimeter of the house and results in little or no exposure to people or pets.
Posted By: William H. Robinson, Ph.D.
2008-05-06 10:28 AM

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Director, Health, Safetyand Environment
I would like to know about the compound Termodor used for termite treatment. I would like to know as to what %soution is used for the treatment and how deep it is injected in the soil. Is it safe to be used in the residential houses when you have kids in the house? Please repond back soo as possible.
Posted By: Inderjitkaushal
2008-04-18 9:37 AM

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RE: Homeowner
There are some species of wood that are naturally protected from the attack of termites. But these woods are not common and often not available in the U.S. Usually it is the heartwood of these trees that is resistant to termite feeding (because of the resins located in this part of the tree). Redwood is somewhat resistant to termite attack; Yellow cypress (Alaska cedar) is somewhat resistant; Eucalyptus, the slow-growing species are resistant; Sentang is fairly well resistant to termite feeding; Neem is resistant to termite feeding; and Laotian and Burmese teak, and some Indonesian hardwood, are resistant to attack. The scientific names of some of these trees may help if you are looking for more information: Redwood - Sequoia sempervirens; Yellow cypress - Chamaecyparis nootkatensis; Eucalyptus microcorys; Sentang - Azadirachta excelsa; Neem - Azadirachta indica; and Indonesian hardwood - Shorea laevis.
Posted By: William H. Robinson, Ph.D.
2008-03-07 5:03 PM

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RE: Making a house safe
Great question! Replacing the bottom layers of siding will not “protect” or “prevent” termites from attacking the house because they can bypass these layers and attack the wood directly above them. I recommend you contact a trusted termite specialist to conduct a thorough inspection of your home to determine if there are conducive conditions for termite activity.
Posted By: William H. Robinson, Ph.D.
2008-03-07 4:15 PM

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OWNER
NICE SITE, AND VERY HELPFUL, NEVER KNEW MUCH ABOUT THESE BUGS
Posted By: DOUG SMITH
2008-03-06 11:51 PM

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Making a house safe
Will my siding be safe from termites if I have just the lowest few layers replaced with hardi-plank or do I have to have the whole thing done?
Posted By: Barbara
2008-03-05 2:57 PM

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