Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Dry Termites

Dry termites or rather dry wood termites is a problem that reaches the lower United States. This termite requires less moisture than the other termites, actually only about 3% moisture. what this means is every piece of wood has about 10% moisture. The dry termite has its food source and moisture plus home in one piece of wood.

The dry termite or dry wood termite is the less destructive of the termites as far as subterranean or Formosan termite.
What happens is if left unattended or untreated is the problem only gets worse, the swarmers or reproductive s will swarm out and mate up. I call these the princes and princesses of the termite world. Their purpose is to start new colony's. because this termite requires less moisture to survive they only need to get back into wood. Where as the subterranean termite requires 16-30% moisture to survive they will die if they don't make it back into the soil. So now you see the difference between dry wood termites sometimes referred to as dry termite.

The best way to eliminate the dry termite is to do what is called a fumigation or tenting. this is where a crew or company will come to the residence or structure in question and install a tent over the structure then shoot a gas called Vikane gas, also know as sulfuryl fluoride into the structure. Therefore killing the termites.
Just remember the best method of getting rid of the dry termite is to have it done by a professional exterminator. Using Vikane gas and fumigation is very safe, there is no residuals. No exterminator that I have ever known about has died from this process.

Termites In Mulch

Termites In Mulch

First let’s get one concern out of the way concerning termites in mulch. The first concern comes from a problem in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. And the rumor was that you can get termites from the mulch and that is just about what it is, a rumor. The universities have written some articles on this matter. Some information comes from those articles.

Termites can be found in mulch, but their survival is poor and here is why: the ability of termites to survive the chipping process to create mulch is not good; the mulching process to make wood chips is usually enough to kill a colony of termites. The only way termites can come to your house by mulch is if you don't use a reliable source. Once the termite is separated from the colony the survival rate really decreases.
Even though it is possible to get termites this way it is not probable. The mulch application is important. Keep away from foundation of house at least 6”.
What normally happens is the mulch is placed up against the house and blocks the view of inspectors doing the annual inspection. For the most part the biggest scare of termites is the Formosan termite. This termite has been known to eat through plastic, lead, copper, plaster and rubber to search for moisture and a food source.  
The termite in question is the subterranean termite.  Even if this termite does not come with the mulch, the mulch will make a bridge the termites can cross with out coming in contact with the ground or chemical. Chances are you have the subterranean termite living in the soil somewhere on your property.
Getting termites in mulch  can happen but would be rare.
