Termites:

Termites are a common, yet potentially devastating problem for homeowners. These pests are fast-working and numerous. Termites can compromise a building’s structural quality by literally eating through the wood, digesting a wood material known as cellulose. Below you will find information on the three main species of termites found in the U.S. and treatment options available. The species we are most concerned with in the Midwest area is the subterranean termite.

Subterranean termites:
This is the most common species of termite found in homes across the U.S. Their colonies naturally exist in the soil, entering your home in search of food products through cracks or fissures in the concrete, paneling or foundation. These termites will eat anything containing cellulose, including all wood, cardboard, even books. Three distinct conditions normally apply when typical activity is found: a warm climate, moist soil and a food source.

Drywood termites:
These insects prefer wood containing a low moisture content. As they do not require any contact with the soil, drywood termites are usually found infesting dry places such as attics and exterior structure wood.

Formosan termites:
Known as “super termites,” these are aggressive, destructive insects. Commonly found in humid, coastal areas as moisture is an essential for their survival.

Possible treatment options:

• Chemical: A common method for eliminating and preventing subterranean termite infestations. Technicians establish a pesticide barrier around the building, at known colonies and around all suspected entry points. This forms a termite-shield which can last up to five years.
• Baiting systems: Also a popular method to kill off an active subterranean and Formosan infestation. Cellulose is placed at key bait stations to lure termites to this plentiful food source. Once the termites have found these stations and are feeding off the supplied cellulose, the cellulose is then replaced with a chemical that stunts the growth, and therefore the reproductive capabilities, of the termites. This chemical is spread throughout the nest, eventually killing off all inhabitants.
• Fumigation: An effective treatment to eliminate drywood termites. As these termites are difficult to detect, termites may infest concealed areas for months. Fumigation is a time-consuming, often costly treatment, but it is designed to completely eliminate all insects. The entire structure is placed inside a gas-tight tent and saturated with termite-killing gas. Homeowners must, of course, evacuate the building for three days, remove all animals and plants and place any remaining food in special protective coverings.
• Local pesticide application: In cases of isolated drywood infestation, rather than undergoing the ordeal of fumigation, the treatment specialist might suggest using borates or wood injection to kill off the termites in the localized area.
• Wood replacement: For infestations confined to simply a small, replaceable wooden piece, perhaps the most economical, fastest solution is to merely replace the infested wood and all affected parts.
  

Termite Inspection FAQs:

• How does the home inspector inspect for termites?

I will visually examine a home for evidence of any wood-destroying insects. This includes inspecting the home’s exterior, interior, basement, attic and any crawl spaces. All suspected or negative findings are reported.

• How long does this take?

For a thorough WDI inspection, it usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on property size, conditions and accessibility. To expedite this process, a home owner should be mindful of clutter and unnecessary items that could block the inspector’s path as the property is inspected. However, if included with the home inspection, the WDI inspection is conducted during the home inspection process.

• Is the termite inspection a part of a general home inspection?

No, a termite inspection is in addition to a general home inspection.

• Does a termite inspection include all types of wood-destroying organisms?

I use the NPMA-33 Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Inspection Report, which covers termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees and powder post beetles.

• How do you treat termites?

Depending on the level of infestation and species of termite, several options are available to home owners. Methods include pesticide barriers around the home, baiting, fumigation, local pesticide application and wood replacement.

• How can I prevent termites?

For new homes, it is recommended that a liquid pesticide be sprayed over the home’s foundation before construction is completed. For existing homes, it’s important to remove termite-favoring conditions such as soil-wood contact, improper water drainage away from the building, and damp conditions in basements and crawl spaces.

• Can termites live in colder regions?

Termites are found in homes all over the U.S., from southern, humid regions to even in Alaska. Cold weather will cause termites to go into hibernation, merely slowing them down, but not killing them.

• What does a termite look like?

Subterranean termites resemble a grain of rice in size, shape and color. Drywood termites are brownish-white and smaller, with long wings reaching over double their body length. Formosan termites are also whitish, but are generally larger, with veined wings.

• Is there a difference between carpenter ants and termites?

Termites cause damage to the wood by eating through it, thus creating tunnels and pockets. Carpenter ants do not eat the wood; they merely burrow through it, leaving behind a sawdust material known as “frass.” Frass is a major indicator of a wood-destroying insect.

Physically, ants have an hour-glass shape to their bodies, whereas termites are more tubular, or cigar-shaped. The antennae of a carpenter ant are bent or curved, while termite antennae are straight. Carpenter ant wings are more transparent and also have a dark spot that termite wings do not have.

• Do I have to treat even if there are no live termites?

If I find evidence of infestation and there is no evidence that treatment has been performed, then this must be reported as active. A report of “active infestation” requires treatment, whether or not live insects were found.

Back To Top Of Page

Possible treatment options:

• Localized pesticide: An effective treatment can be to apply pesticide directly onto the colony.
  Wood injection. Another common and effective treatment for carpenter ants is to pressure-inject pesticide into the wood itself.
• Baiting: Involves laying out poison baits for worker ants to carry back to the colony as food, effectively killing all inhabitants.

Back To Top Of Page

Carpenter bees, like carpenter ants, do not eat the wood, but rather tunnel into it to create galleries. Carpenter bees do not live in the galleries, but only use them to lay eggs and raise their young, abandoning the nests in the spring. Eggs are laid inside the wood and the entrance hole sealed with a plug of chewed up wood pulp.

Possible treatment options:

• Localized pesticide: Pesticide can be injected directly into the galleries and sealed to prevent escape.
• Prevention: To prevent further infestation, all bare wood surfaces should be painted or stained.

Back To Top Of Page

Possible treatment options:

• Fumigation: Involves placing the entire building under a gas-tight tent and fumigating with pesticide gas. Highly effective, yet inconvenient and possibly costly. Homeowners must evacuate the home for three days, remove all plants and animals, and place food in special protective coverings.
• Localized pesticides: In cases of small, confined infestations, borates or wood-injections can be used to kill active infestations and prevent future or resurgent colonies.
• Wood replacement: If infestation is small and confined, a cost-effective solution is often to simply replace affected wood parts.

Back To Top Of Page