Forum
« New Deck fpr a brownstone metal roof for shed »
April 6, 2009
Termites! Help
The last couple of weeks, I have discovered I have a bunch of dead termites dead in my basement floor. With further inspection, I noticed a hole eaten up by the termites behind the refrigator. For now, caulk the hole.
Any recommendation on who to care and what to do.
Thanks.
Comments
If you can see direct evidence of an infestation, you may have a fairly serious problem, and you should call an exterminator. Caulking damaged sites probably does fairly little, as termites work internally for the most part, only making "mud tunnels" (a composite of digested wood and a liquid compound the bugs secrete) to move from one place to another above ground.
It is also possible that what you are experiencing with the dead bugs is what is commonly referred to as a "bloom", wherein a colony - often in April or early spring - launches thousands of its "breeders" above ground, which, in turn, try to find new places to establish colonies. When the place they land is your basement floor, they often die off quickly, not finding new soil to borrow down into. But a bloom is a sure sign of an infestation, regardless of severity.
I am not an exterminator, but did a lot of research on this when I had a mild infestation several years ago. You might contact Kingsway Exterminators, a firm that successfully resolved our problem, but bear in mind that you need to hire someone that offers a guarantee of their services - and at least for 5 years in terms of termites. This is especially important since most of the damage these bugs can do will never be visible outside your walls.
Good luck.
Posted by: Brooklyn_Lou at April 6, 2009 12:58 PM
I scheduled for Terminix to come in tomorrow. If anyone know someone better, please post.
Posted by: zuffy at April 6, 2009 1:55 PM
i would use a local guy instead of a chain like terminex...ask your neighbors who they used...and right away
Posted by: eman1234 at April 6, 2009 7:33 PM
First, STOP! Cancel the Terminex appointment if you can. Don't rush into anything. Time is on your side. Termites wreak damage, but slowly, over the course of years. You would do better to spend a few weeks on research, because choosing a good exterminator may be the most important factor.
As a disclaimer, I'll say that my experience with termites is in another state--but much of this is probably applicable here. There are two main types of termites. I think the distinction is that one is subterranean, and one flies (in the south, I think). My experience is with subterranean.
1. Personally, I would not use Terminex or Orkin (except possibly for a comparative estimate). I have a poor impression of both. As Eman suggested, I would look for a smaller local place. I see nothing wrong with calling 10-15 places for information, and getting 5, or at least 3, estimates. Beware of any markedly lower estimate, as it may mean that they're skimping in some way.
2. Ask every question you can think of. Ask what they do, and see how straightforwardly they answer you. If they drill, ask how and where. Ask what products they use. Ask about their guarantees, which are crucial.
3. The single best chemical is generally considered to be Termidor, with Premise running a good second. Personally, I would not hire any place that used bait stations.
4. Do all possible research beforehand, including checking up on the companies.
Good luck.
Posted by: FishieFishie at April 7, 2009 9:07 AM
Terminix came this morning. They wanted about $1300 (including tax) to install bait stations around the property.
Scheduled an appointment with Kingsway Exterminator this sat.
Anymore recommendations? I am in the Bensonhurst area.
Posted by: zuffy at April 7, 2009 2:23 PM
I've delt with termites in several properties. The most logical and environmentally friendly way to eliminate them is to go with the bait station. The subterranean termites constantly scavange for wood in and around your house. The juicy wood bait is placed around your house in bait stations. These are checked monthly. Once the termites are actively eating the bait and forming trails back to the Queen, the bait is switched for the insecticide laced bait-wood. The insecticide is only present in the bait wood so there is no leaching into the environement or into the water table. The insecticide is taken back to the Queen like a Trojan horse and is consumed at the center of the hive. Once the Queen is dead, the colony is wiped out. Monitoring is continued on a regular basis thereafter because termites are always around and looking to establish new colonies.
This method works. I've seen the results. It's expensive though.Terminix and the other big name exterminators charge big bucks for the treatment.
For do-it-yourselfers, the bait stations and all the materials are available on line for about $200-300 dollars.
Posted by: Legion at April 7, 2009 7:44 PM
Since I am infested already, shouldn't I get a treatment? I would think the bait stations would be a very slow process and it will be hit and miss. Also, I don't get a barrier protection.
Posted by: zuffy at April 8, 2009 10:53 AM
I currently have bait stations. I pay about 200-300 a year for maintenance with terminix and paid about a startup of about 1800. The barrier method is only effective if they do a complete barrier around your house which I think is impossible. My research has provided that bait stations are the better way to go.
Here's the deal. It's impossible to know the damage the termites have already done unless you start opening up walls and ceilings. If your basement has an open ceiling I would start there. Look at all the floor joists and start poking at them with a sharp screwdriver. Believe me, you'll know when the screwdriver goes through the wood if there is damage or not. Then start poking on the sill plate of your house, and look for the damage. Is your house brick or wood frame? The damage could be extensive or minor, it all depends how many termites have been eating and for how long.
Stopping the damage now makes sense. But you also need to access how much damage has already occurred. Don't forget they eat from the inside of the wood. You won't see the damage just by looking you have to poke.
I had a 4x6 wall stud in my house that looked intact. When I grabbed it with my hand it was completely hollow and literally was pulverized.
Posted by: GabeS at April 8, 2009 1:01 PM
It a brick rowhouse. Since it's a finished basement, pretty much everything is covered up.
Posted by: zuffy at April 8, 2009 1:48 PM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.