Termite FAQ

Termites move randomly through the soil, searching for a source of food (wood); they don't know where your house is exactly. So, if your next-door neighbor treats his home for termites, your house isn't automatically the termites' next lunch. Your house does not need to be treated; but, if there are active termite infestations in your neighborhood, it is a good idea to have it inspected.

Lightly tap any wood with the handle of your screwdriver. Does it sound solid? If not, poke the wood with the blade of the screwdriver. If it feels spongy of soft, investigate a little more. If the wood is spongy or soft, but there is no wood missing then it is probably water damage. The moisture problem should be corrected as soon as possible because it will attract termites. If you find the wood missing and the tunnels follow the grain of the wood, you may have either termites or carpenter ants. Termites move randomly through the soil, searching for a source of food (wood); they don't know where your house is exactly. So, if your next-door neighbor treats his home for termites, your house isn't automatically the termites' next lunch. Your house does not need to be treated; but, if there are active termite infestations in your neighborhood, it is a good idea to have it inspected.

Once a colony is established, termites are a year-round problem. However, there is an increase in colony expansion activity during warm weather.

Vikane, as well as other fumigants, will kill any living organism. It will not prevent termites from reentering the structure, though. Barrier treatments with traditional termiticides would be the only way to do this for subterranean termites. Dry wood termites are usually treated with fumigants. There aren't many ways to prevent future attacks from dry wood termites. Exposed and unfinished wood could be sprayed with Timbor or Boracare, but this would only protect the exposed wood.

Pretreatment means treating the soil under the structure before cement floors are poured in place. This treatment would be a great benefit instead of drilling through concrete. The treatment method, amount and kind of pesticide used, and methods of application are the same for both pretreatment and treatment unless drilling would be needed.

Currently, termite insecticides containing fipronil is the best choice. We carry both Termidor SC and Navigator SC, which are both 9.1 % Fipronil and mix and apply the same ways. Navigator SC is more economical. The most common reason that a chemical/barrier treatment would possibly fail is when the application results in an incomplete insecticide barrier around the structure.

An incomplete application, according to the label, could be:

• The termiticide is diluted with too much water
• The insecticide is not injected into the footings of the basement.
• The volume of insecticide was insufficient according to the label.
• Treatment procedures are found clearly on the insecticide label and should be followed carefully to ensure proper coverage.

Not to worry. Subterranean termites don't live in the wood. They live in the ground. Any termites trapped in the wood will not survive because they cannot reproduce without the queen. However, don't store the wood inside because ants and beetles may come in with the wood.

The limited warranties offered by pest control companies are more like buying termite control insurance than a warranty. Whether or not it is a good investment is relative and depends on the level of risk a homeowner wants to assume. In the event of a termite re-infestation, will all costs be covered by the warranty? Will they cover structural damage? What will the homeowner have to be responsible for? Can the company's yearly inspection fee be increased, or is it fixed for several years?

Foam barriers need to be removed. Termites get behind them or go right through them to get to your home. It can be a real problem. Some homes have foam barriers because a previous requirement for federally sponsored loans required home builders to wrap the slab to save energy. Now that the risks are understood, no one can get a federal-sponsored loan or refinance unless removed. Remove the foam insulation to allow at least a 6-inch clearance from the soil and the foam board. Enough foam insulation should be removed to properly treat the soil above any insulation left in the ground.

You don't have termites. Sounds like carpenter ants. Check the outside of the house for ant activity at night. Spraying into the cracks with Taurus SC from which the ants emerge is the best answer.

The Advance/Trelona Termite Bait Systems kits (size 10/6) should do your house.

This is a difficult question to answer. Many factors, including soil type, termite chemical used, quality of treatment, construction type, and design of the home, can all affect the longevity of termiticides in the soil. Your best bet is to have your home inspected annually, following a responsible professional's instructions in your area.

The termites will only consume the deadwood. This is a good thing, nature's way. I would inspect the house regularly and for peace of mind, have a professional exterminator inspect it for you.

Yes I would, a common sign of termites is the appearance of small holes(sometimes filled or capped with mud) in the drywall. It may or may not be termites, but I would ask for another opinion.

Termites don't eat wood from a tree. When termites are found in or on a live tree, something is causing the pith or cambium layer of the tree to die. Termites invade and eat the dead cellulose. You might have a tree doctor look at what would be causing the decline in the tree.

It is believed that roots grow out as far as branches do on most trees. Roots from the stump can lead termites through the chemical barrier to the structure. What this means is that the diameter of the stump will affect how far away it needs to be classified as "no threat". Four feet for every 6 inches in diameter is a rule that has been adopted by many pest control companies.

Their colony and queens are located far away in the ground. They have no means of reproduction and they will die from dehydration very quickly.