Cleveland Home Inspection Pros ®
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.
Appraisers 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 suggestions below.
- have at least a 2-inch clearance between the house and planter boxes or soil-filled porches
- eliminate all wood-to-soil contacts such as trellises, fence posts, stair casings and door facings (they can be put on masonry blocks or on treated wood)
- separate shrubbery from the house to help make it easier to inspect the foundation line
- use wolmanized wood (pressure-treated wood) so that rain will not rot it
- seal openings through the foundation
- remove wood scraps or stumps from around foundations
- have at least 12"-18" clearance between floor beams and the soil underneath
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 dry wood 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 eradicated.
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 150F and the temperature of
the structural timbers reaches 120F. 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 -20F. The localized heat method involves
heating infested structural timbers to 120F. 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
Contents
PATCH
Independent Home Inspections, LLC
Serving Columbus and Central Ohio
Rick A. Harrington
13514 Falmouth Ave
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
(614) 565-4962
(614) 768-1190 fax
