TERMITES

[BOSSHOG]

We had our house retreated today for a protective measure since a hurricane payed us a visit in August. The agent told us that February and March there most likely would be an outbreak of termite infestation on the gulf coast because of the disturbance to their habitat. All their source of food (dead wood) being hauled off would turn their attention to our homes. And if the weather stays dry they will also head to our homes for moisture. Just a heads up to keep an eye out for tunnels on your foundations. An ounce of prevention is worth several sworms of formosan termites. Ya'll take care.

[Catherine Vincent]

1. Would this be everyone around the Gulf Coast or only where

a hurricane landed?

[musette_sf]

2. The issue of Harpers with MCM's stolen election article

also had an excellent article about the termite problems in NO. Unfortunately it looks like it's not archived online at their site.

[mike_c]

3. and those are likely to include formosan termites...

...which are among the most destructive introduced pests in America. I'm no fan of the pest control industry, but formosan termites will eat your house from around you and they'll do it very quickly. Do not underestimate them.

[Danieljay]

4. a little advice...

They (could be) full of crap. Subterrainean Termites have always been around, houses or not. Years ago (20) I worked for an ethical company. There is really no reason to treat if you dont find any, unless perhaps its a pretreat under a new slab. Those who say "Termites have been found in your neigborhood" are no better than Bush proclaiming terrorists are going to blow up your neighborhood. Its a scare tactic to sell treatments.

Truth of the matter is, termites (subterrainean) lived off dead grasses on the plains for thousands of years. They don't need wood, nor houses. They simply take the opportunity, especially if you have moisture problems. Make sure your structure is sealed tight and there is no trapped moisture (poor drainage, window sills, bad guttering).


If you want to protect your home without the chemicals... remove wood to soil contact around your foundation, don't stack cardboard or wood in your garage (they come up through the joints) to eat the cellulose, make sure all water runs away from your foundation and doesn't pool near your house, don't throw refuse into the fill underneath a new concrete slabe when adding a patio or porch, used treated lumber.

If you find a mud tunnel along your foundation...then..treatment might be necessary. It takes a bit of time for subterrainean termites to do structural damage and you will usually spot them swarming in the spring or notice them way prior to that.

If all else fails, call Tom Delay. That will just plain scare the hell out of any termite in a five mile area.

Edited from "they are" to "could be" full of crap.

[GumboYaYa]

5. Did you work in South Louisiana?

That advise may apply in other places....

[Danieljay]

6. I'm referring to the native sub terrainean termites...

the ones that have to have contact with the soil found throughout the midwest.

Formosan are a bit more brutal, imported from wood crates from asia around the turn of the century. If they have a sufficient cellulose source...they don't need soil contact. Yes, they are more prevelant in the South East.

Still, be very careful of the scare tactics used by pest control companies. Fraud is as wide spread as those nasty chemicals. Make sure you find a reputable company. Not one formerly owned by Tom Delay.

[mike_c]

7. dj-- I'm a professional entomologist...

...with no love for the pest control industry, but your advice doen't apply in the Gulf states any longer, not since the introduction of the Formosan termite. They are EXTREMELY invasive and voracious. They literally cause houses to collapse. I don't advocate spraying chemical controls unless absolutely necessary, but if there is any indication that a wooden framed structure has been colonized by Formosan termites, it should be either nuked with pesticides or abandoned and burned. Seriously.

Here are some links for more info:

http://www.nola.com/speced/homewreckers/
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/scripts/htmlgen.exe?DOCUMENT_MG064
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct98/term1098.htm

[Danieljay]

8. appreciate the clarity...

my latest post reflects what you are saying. Still... you have to be very careful with Pest Control companies...there are a lot of unethical ones out there.

Thanks for your update.

[BOSSHOG]

9. Thanks

I've done business with this company for years. No scare tactics, just honest chit chat about termite activity in an area with tons and tons of dead trees piled high along and beside and behind homes which will soon be removed. We also have had terribly dry weather for two months now. Formosans are here in south Mississippi and I will do whatever I can to keep them eating from my home. I called them, they didn't call me.

The advice made sense and per your post you would agree. They now have a big smorgasboard around our homes. That smorgasboard is scheduled to be picked up by FEMA soon. I think you would agree they do not want live trees to eat. When those downed by the hurricane are gone they will seek food and water, in other words, head to my house. No scare tactics and no great expense. I think it was money well spent.

[BOSSHOG]

10. Thanks

I've done business with this company for years. No scare tactics, just honest chit chat about termite activity in an area with tons and tons of dead trees piled high along and beside and behind homes which will soon be removed. We also have had terribly dry weather for two months now. Formosans are here in south Mississippi and I will do whatever I can to keep them eating from my home. I called them, they didn't call me.

The advice made sense and per your post you would agree. They now have a big smorgasboard around our homes. That smorgasboard is scheduled to be picked up by FEMA soon. I think you would agree they do not want live trees to eat. When those downed by the hurricane are gone they will seek food and water, in other words, head to my house. No scare tactics and no great expense. I think it was money well spent.