Pest Tubes in House?

[jmm706]

I was looking at some new houses and the builders are putting plastic tubes in the walls for bugs as well as under the slab for termites to apply chemical when needed. The only termite protection done initially is bait stations. Beginning protection for one year is free and then you have option to sign up for inspections, etc. Is this approach good or should someone go to another company after the one year period?

[majakdragon]

Its always good to check what you can get for the money after the free period runs out. States differ on what they demand as far as protection. I had to have treatment under my newly installed porch slab as part of the County inspection in Florida. The inspector had to be there when it was done and sign off on it. Some companies will not take over existing protection and you would have to start from square one to change companies. Make sure what warranties are included and how much is covered with whatever company you go with. Good luck.

[twelvepole]

Baiting programs may be slightly more expensive than conventional treatments. The baiting process requires multiple visits to monitor for termites and to add or replenish baits as needed. Consider initial treatment price and annual renewal fee when comparing. Failure to maintain the annual service with baiting programs is a recipe for disaster. There is no residual pesticide in soil if baits are used.

Baits can be used to treat termite infestations in structures where construction is not straight forward. The Dept. of Agriculture reports that if Sentricon baiting system if properly installed & maintained that it is a successful stand-alone system. Exterra, a new product, is being used as a stand-alone system. First Line tends to be used along with conventional termite treatment.

The biggest drawback to baiting systems is that baiting can be a slow process. Termites may infest structures before they find the bait. And, then it may take as much as a year to eliminate termites.

Contact your local Dept. of Agriculture Extension Agent for information on termites & their control in your area.

[jmm706]

Appreciate the info! I'll check around some more.

[JD_Bugs]

jmm706,
You didn't say where you are but this all seems a bit excessive. I'm not sure what the tubes in the wall do. Did they explain this in any detail? How were the tubes under the slab to be used? I don't believe this is a standard practice anywhere. Finally, routine baiting for termites seems unnecessary unless you are in an area of known Formosan subterranean termite infestation. You probably don't need routine treatments in any form. Good luck.

[jmm706]

The tubes in the walls are for routine periodic pest treatment. There is a manifold outside the house that they can put chemical in and treat the whole house at once. You don't have to be home to receive a treatment. The tubes under the foundation slab are in case termites are detected in the house and chemical needs to be put down. They eliminate the need to drill holes. South Carolina has every bug known to man! I found this to read.
www.hometeamservices.com

[JD_Bugs]

jmm706,
As I said, this is excessive even for the southeast where you do indeed have some sticky termite problems. Contact a person named Cam Lay at the SC Dept. of Agriculture, Pesticide Division. He is responsible for regulation of pesticide applications in the state. He'll know if this is a legitimate procedure. I would be very leery of allowing pesticide to be pumped into the walls of my house. Look around at all the 100+ year old houses that don't have tubes in their walls. If this is really needed why are these homes still standing? These homes were built before chlordan and heptachlor (soil termiticides) and I'll wager that most have never been treated, post-construction, for termites. But check with the SCDA, Pesticide Division and get some local expertise. You might also contact the entomology department at Clemson and ask to talk to their extension entomology specialist. Good Luck.