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Serving Chicago and Surrounding Suburbs 773.419.0860 |
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Serving Chicago and Surrounding Suburbs 773.419.0860 |
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Termite Control in the Home
Wood destroying insects and other organisms can
cause serious problems in the wood structural components of a house and may go
undetected for a long period of time.
New Construction
All chemical soil treatments, bait systems, and
chemical wood treatment must be approved by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and applied in accordance with the EPA label instructions. In
some cases it is not feasible for a builder to arrange for soil treatment. In
this regard, the International Residential Code (IRC) by the International
Code council allows a builder to utilize pressure treated wood as a measure of
termite protection. If pressure treated wood is used, however, it must be used
in all framing members up to and including the top plate of the first floor
level wall. This includes the subfloor and floor joists of the first floor.
The use of pressure treated wood in only the sill plate is not acceptable. In
such cases, the builder must provide the lender with a letter stating that the
house is protected from termites by the use of pressure treated wood. The
builder must also provide the home buyer with a one year warranty against
termites. The use of post-construction soil treatment where the chemicals are
applied only around the perimeter of the foundation is NOT acceptable in new
construction.
Appraiser’s Observations
Appraisers are to observe all areas of the house
and other structures/areas within the legal boundaries of the property that
have potential for infestation by termites and other wood destroying
organisms, including the bottoms of exterior doors and frames, wood siding
in contact with the ground and crawl spaces. Mud tunnels running from the
ground up the side of the house may indicate termite infestation. Observe
the eave and gable vents and wood window sills for indication of the
entrance of swarming termites and note excessive dampness or large areas
where the vegetation is dead. Evidence of active termite infestation must be
noted.
Termites
Subterranean termites are the most damaging
insects of wood. Their presence is hard to notice and damage usually is found
before the termites are seen. Prevent infestations because if they occur
they will almost always need professional pest control service.
Signs of Infestation
Generally, the first sign of infestation is the
presence of swarming termites on the window or near indoor light. If they
are found inside the house, it almost always means that they have infested.
Other signs that may be found are termite wings on window sills or in
cobwebs, and shelter tubes which are tunnels constructed by the termites
from soil or wood and debris. Usually, wood damage is not found at first,
but when it is found it definitely reveals a termite infestation. Anywhere
wood touches soil is a possible entry into a home for termites. Examine wood
which sounds dull or hollow when struck by a screwdriver or hammer. Inspect
suspected areas with a sharp, pointed tool such as an ice pick to find
termite galleries or their damage.
Control
Control measures include reducing the potential
infestation, preventing termite entry and applying chemicals for remedial
treatment.
Inspection
Inspect thoroughly to determine if there is an
infestation, damage, and/or conditions that could invite a termite attack or
the need fo remedial control measures. The tools and equipment needed for an
inspection include a flashlight, ice pick or sharp-pointed screwdriver,
ladder and protective clothing.
Outdoors
Check the foundation of the house, garage and
other buildings for shelter tubes coming from the soil. Look closely around
porches, connecting patios, sidewalks, areas near kitchens or bathrooms and
hard-to-see places. Check window and door frames and where utility services
enter the house for termite infestation or wood decay. Also look behind
shrubbery or plants near walls. Pay special attention to areas where earth
and wood meet such as fences, stair carriages or trellises. Open and check
any exterior electrical meter or fuse box set into the wall, a common point
of infestation.
Indoors
Carefully check all doors, window facings,
baseboards and hardwood flooring. Discoloration or stains on walls or
ceilings may mean that water is leaking and can decay wood and aid termite
infestation. It is very important to inspect where plumbing or utility pipes
enter the foundation or flooring. Also examine the attic for shelter tubes,
water leakage, and wood damage.
Prevention Many termite problems can be prevented. The most important thing to do is deny termites access to food (wood), moisture and shelter.Follow the sugestions below.
Chemical Treatment
Termite treatment often requires specialized
equipment. Therefore, it is recommended that you always use the services of
a pest control operator because he is familiar with construction principles
and practices, has the necessary equipment and knows about subterranean
termites.
Exterminating Termites
If you think you have a termite infestation in your house, you need to call a structural pest control company to conduct a professional inspection. To find a company, ask friends or coworkers for recommendations, or check the yellow pages. If the inspection finds evidence of drywood termites, you have several options, depending on the degree of infestation. Fumigation and heating of the entire house are the only options that ensure eradication in the entire structure. If the infestation is contained in a small area, local or spot control may be effective. However, hidden infestations in other part of the structure will not be eredicated.
Total (Whole-House) Eradication
For the heat method, pets, plants, and other
items that might be damaged by high temperatures must be removed. The house
is then covered with tarps, and hot air is blown into the tarp until the
inside temperature reaches 140° to 150°F and the temperature of the
structural timbers reaches 120°F. The time to complete this procedure varies
greatly from one structure to another, depending on factors such as the
building's construction and the weather conditions. The procedure may not be
practical for structures that cannot be heated evenly.
Local or Spot Control
Local or spot control methods include the use of
pesticides, electric current, extreme cold, localized heat, microwave
energy, or any combination of these methods. Local or spot control also
includes the removal and replacement of infested structural timber. These
methods are intended to remove or kill termites only within the specific
targeted area, leaving open the possibility of other undetected infestations
within the structure. These treatments are NOT designed for whole-house
eradication. Any pest control company that claims whole-house results with
local or spot control methods is guilty of false advertising and should be
reported.
Local or spot treatment with pesticides involves
drilling and injecting pesticides into infested timbers, as well as the
topical application of toxic chemicals. The electric current method
involves delivering electric energy to targeted infestations. For the
extreme cold method, liquid nitrogen is pumped into wall voids adjacent to
suspected infestation sites, reducing the area to -20°F. The localized heat
method involves heating infested structural timbers to 120°F. The microwave
method kills termites by directing microwaves into termite-infested wood.
If you see the following signs in your
house, you might have termites:
• sawdust-like droppings • dirt or mud-like tubes or trails on the structure • damaged wood members (like window sills) • swarming winged insects within the structure, especially in the spring or fall
Call your local licensed Termite Inspector for further information and an evaluation of your home.
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