Can you carry termites from old house to new house when you move in?

[expatriot]

My wife and I just took possession of our house. The new house (50 yrs. old) sailed through all of our inspections for termite damage (roofing, general and termite) but this trailer we currently live in, we found out a month or so ago is being devoured by termites... so much so that they will be probably gutting it after we leave. We very stupidly moved our cheap ass furnishings from this trailer over to the new house without giving it a second thought yesterday. The second thought came today. How worried should we be that we have cross intected our new home with termites from this trailer? There is no signs of termite damage INSIDE this trialer yet. So we don't know if they are "inside" the trailer yet. but we do know they are just right behind the paneling in a number of places. Should we pay the 1,000 bucks or so for termite pre-infestation treatments or just be extra vigilant or what? any stories or expertise you can share will be greatly appreciated.

[ucmike]

1. probably not.

if your furniture is "cheap ass" enough that its all plywood and particle board you're probably okay. termites usually avoid manufactured wood because of the adhesives. not that they can't get into it, but they usually don't.

i have old termite damage in my house. they came up the foundation, ate their way across the solid framing, then came through the seams between the plywood and went to work on the oak hardwood flooring. i have replaced framing and flooring, and some drywall that was in contact because they destroyed the paper backing, but no damage to any plywood.

termites come up from the ground, they only come up to eat. any termites that were in your stuff would be pretty cut off from the ground and would try to make their way out rather than reinfesting. imagine an army cut off behind enemy lines. they are just going to try to get back to safety, not establish a stronghold.

i'm no expert, but i know a little from experience with them.

[expatriot]

3. thanks.

yes, all cheap particle board furniture. thanks.

[undeterred]

2. Yes, but you might as well let the professional movers do it

so you don't have to carry them yourself.

Seriously, termites no. Cockroaches are easily moved, however.

[expatriot]

4. LOL

thanks. that is what I was thinking about... cockroaches. I have heard stories about cockroach eggs being carried in between pages of books, etc.

[Digit]

5. There are different varieties of termites...

Some live in the ground, called subterreanean termites, and some live above ground. I am not aware of the various species since this is not my field.
I do know I had a home in San Diego, and the garage had another variety of termites and had to be tented.
In fact, there was a show on PBS (NOVA) awhile back and they spoke of Formosean sp? termites as found in the south which were extremely destructive. They do not need to live in the ground, so are difficult to erradicate.
I have no idea what varieties are found in AZ.

[AGKISTRODON]

6. Dry wood termites

Termites are either subterranean or drywood. It is the drywood type you have to fumigate for. If they are in your wooden furniture it is possible to move them to a new house.
If you see little hard pellets of uniform size it indicates an infestation. The termite actually compresses its feces, to save the moisture. If you are in doubt, get a pro to check. They can fumigate your furniture without doing the house.
Subterranean termites can't live without moisture from the ground, or a leaky pipe.