Safe and quality house is key to the family’s health. The most immediate and obvious link between housing and health involves exposure to various pests that can affect the health and safety of the occupants of the home. This article tells about termites, the dangerous pests that can be a problem for rich and poor alike and the ways of identifying and combating termite infestation in more detail.
In the U.S., we have three major groups of termites that are classified as pests:
- Subterranean termites (including Formosan type)
- Dampwood termites
- Drywood termites
In general, the termites are more prevalent in coastal areas and states with high humid and warm environment.
The Subterranean termites are most common species in North America and are found in most states. The Formosan termites, a species of subterranean termite are most destructive ones and found primarily in Gulf states – Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
The Drywood termites do not need moisture to survive and are primarily found in the South West states such as California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
The Dampwood termites are attracted to damp, decaying wood to form their colonies. Dampwood termites are one of the larger species of termites. You can identify the Dampwood termites by their large heads which have pinchers on the front. The most common place to find this particular species of termite is along the Pacific Coast, the Southwest desert and southern Florida.
Preventative Measures
First of all, you can control household pests through a combination of preventive measures, including:
- Proper sanitation
- Good home maintenance practices
However, some pest infestations may be extensive, or a particular pest may be difficult to control, requiring the services of a pest control company.
Control Method of Subterranean Termites
Most subterranean termite control is done by applying either termiticides to the soil or termite monitoring bait stations in or around the structure. The goal is to establish a continuous insecticide barrier between the termite colony (usually in the soil) and wood in a building.
Sometimes, there may be a secondary termite colony above the soil (in the roof or other areas with a constant moisture supply) that requires additional treatment. The termite baits do not leave a residual chemical in the soil. However, they can reduce and may eliminate a termite colony.
While use of termite baits as method of controlling termites is very appealing because it does not require extensive site preparation such as drilling or trenching and extensive application of insecticide to the soil or structure, research is still ongoing to develop the most effective baits and delivery systems.
Control Method of Drywood & Dampwood Termites
All drywood and dampwood termite control methods can be categorized as either whole-structure or localized.
Whole-Structure vs. Localized Treatment
Whole structure treatment is defined as the simultaneous treatment of accessible and inaccessible infestations within a structure. A localized or spot treatment is more restrictive and is often applied to a single board or small group of boards. You can buy a do-it-yourself termite treatment place kit available to apply on a smaller localized areas.
However, you need to weigh off between the whole-structure and spot treatments when deciding which method to select because all treatment methods are not equivalent. Whole-structure treatments have an advantage over spot treatments in that they are not detection dependent. This means whole-structure treatments, if applied properly, can eliminate all infestations, even hidden ones.
With the unreliability of current detection methods, there is always some doubt as to the extent of drywood termite colony boundaries within homes. Consequently, one can never be sure that all infestations have been treated.
Fumigation as a Whole Structure Treatment
Fumigation method as a whole-structure treatment can only be done by an experienced pest control professionals. Fumigation is the process where insects are eliminated from a structure with the use of lethal gas. Fumigation agents are carried out using essentially one chemical: Sulfuryl Fluoride. This gas is odorless, colorless and leaves no residue. Therefore, prior to the fumigation, applicators introduce trace amounts of Chloropicrin. Chloropicrin (a warning agent) has a strong odor and will cause respiratory and eye irritation.
Termite fumigation takes approximately 3 days while a tent is placed over your home. A tarpaulin (tent) is placed over your home and sealed off. Once sealed off, a fumigant is released inside, killing all the termites. This whole house solution is the most effective method against drywood termites colonies in your home.
Fumigation Preparation
Items to be addressed in preparation for the fumigation of the average home are:
- All people, pets, (including fish and/or fish tanks), and plants must be removed from the home. If it’s living, take it out!
- All food and medicines should be removed or sealed in special bags (your contractor will inform you about these fume-bags) according to the instructions from the fumigator.
- Outside plants close to the structure should be cut back from the house to allow workers access to the walls of the building. The perimeter of the structure should be heavily watered to help prevent the fumigant from moving into the soil and affecting the plants.
- Antennas, chimney caps, and weather vanes should be removed.
- Fences without gates attached to the house may need to have some boards removed to allow the tarps to reach the ground.
- Remove mattresses (except waterbeds) and pillows which are completely enveloped in waterproof covers or remove covers. All mattresses encased in permanent, waterproof coverings must be removed from the structure prior to the introduction of the fumigant, including infant mattresses.
Fumigation period
Sulfuryl Fluoride is usually held in the structure for approximately 16-30 hours. Fumigation time is dependent upon the factors mentioned previously. The fumigator aerates the structure with use of fans and inlet devices for a minimum of 12 hours.
Re-entering the structure
A structure must be certified safe for re-entry by the licensee in charge of the fumigation. To ensure that even the owner or tenant cannot re-enter a structure, the company is required to place a secondary lock on all outside doors that only the company can open.
Certification is the final step of the fumigation. The fumigator must aerate a structure, so that the concentration of gas in the air is one (1) part per million (ppm) or less prior to allowing re-entry.
The fumigator is required to post a re-entry notice on the property at the time the structure is actually deemed safe for occupancy. If within 24 hours following aeration, you experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, tearing, coughing, nose or throat irritation, shortness of breath, double vision, unusual drowsiness, or tremors:
Leave the fumigated structure and get to fresh air. Immediately contact your physician. Let the fumigation company know what happened, and call your local agricultural commissioner to report the incident.