Termite treatments (somewhat OT)

17 years ago

Yes, it's true, I've found some termite damage in my home and a few swarmers crawling about on that last warm day.

After calling a good local company, they inspected and found just a little damage in a very small area, so no, my house will not fall down on me yet.

Now I assumed they would recommend some kind of dumping of huge amounts of toxic chemicals all over the property, but they are recommending the sentricon baiting system.

I thought some of you here, since you live in termite prone areas, might be able to share some knowledge.

If the baiting systems work, it would be a relief to me since I try to be as organic as possible. I'd freak if I had to poison my whole area that I'd tried so hard to keep organic.

Any thoughts?

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Comments (8)

tdogmom
17 years ago
OH NO!

We have the WORST problems with termites, too. In fact, the nasties were in the downstairs bathroom which is my butterfly nursery. This meant I was forced to raise all my babies in the kitchen instead. We just closed off the doors and sprayed the buggers. Unfortunately, we did use poisons since I didn't know of any organic methods so I am most interested in any answers you get here as well. :) We kept the doors closed for weeks and it is just recently that I've moved my babies back (thank goodness since I now have hundreds of caterpillars!).
elaineoz
17 years ago
gosh I don't know! Have you asked on the organic gardening forum? They might have more of an idea. I too am not keen on using poisens. Sometimes I do, when I feel like a I absolutely have too, but I always do it as a last resort. Good luck on your venture.

Elaine
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I'd suggest to anyone who has termites in the vicinity to have their house inspected once by professionals, which costs about $300, and watch carefully what they do. Once you know what they look for, then you can do it yourself - it isn't rocket science. Insect damage isn't covered by home owners insurance. Treating a house, either through drilling and poisoning or using bait stations and then poisons, is going to set you back $2,500. Let alone repairing any damage. We've had termites come up in the middle of the house through a crack in the concrete slab, go up the walls and into the ceiling. Everyone we spoke to referred us to the bait / poison route, the termites hit the bait, which is a piece of aspen wood. They then shake a few termites into the poison canister, which is tissue paper impregnated with some chemical that interferes with termites shedding their skins or something, and replace the wood with the canister. The termites polish that off, and the nest dies. Anyway, they're there all around there under you, all the time. You don't 'get' them from mulch or by stacking firewood, they live in networks, feeding on roots and dead trees, and occasionally they'll 'fly', spreading their territory that way. We used to get a 'hit' on a bait station once a year for the first 5 years, but that's now stopped. Fingers crossed. This refers to the indigenous termites, the Formosa termites in the South are something else all together.
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Jillberto
17 years ago
Sorry to hear about your temites. We have been ignoring our termite problem for YEARS! Oh well..

So I am very ignorant about ways to treat termites but I often hear an ad for the company linked below. Sounds rather non-toxic or at least better then tenting.

Here is a link that might be useful: orange oil
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
Nearly all termite companies are using some sort of bait system these days. They can be very effective. Termite control is not something that homeowners can take care of themselves.

Be sure that you read the entire contract and ask questions. You don't want your annual fee to zoom every single year.

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's a helpful fact sheet
stephanieftx
17 years ago
We treated for termites last year. We use an organic pest control company and they even admitted that they would have to use chemicals to kill the termites. They them recommended to use the chemicals to kill them, then apply beneficial nematodes to our yard. We did and we've not had a problem with them since.

One thing about nematodes, there are 2 different varieties. One kills termites and one doesn't. Be sure to research and get the ones that kill the termites.

Stephanie
emmayct
Original Author
17 years ago
Rhizo, thanks for the info...

I'll probably choose the baiting system with sentricon, although it does seem expensive. I can handle the cost, if it works.... Just want to be informed.

I was really afraid we'd have to douse the property with nasty chemicals...I even hate to use raid on ants!
Jillberto
17 years ago
I found a very informative site comparing all the types of termite treatments.

Opps! - says the orange oil method I link to above shows no real value!

Here is a link that might be useful: IPM UC Davis -Calif
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
In many locations, an up-to-date termite bond is required before a house can be sold, another reason homeowners have to get on board with a termite company. In our case, we shopped around and ended up with a locally owned company (not a chain) with a much better deal. Not only was he less expensive for the initial visit and treatment, but the long-term contract was much better, too. Not only in cost but in terms of protection. Truthfully, we didn't get a good feeling from the guys from the major brand names.

Termite treatments (somewhat OT)

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tdogmom

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