Termite and Wood Boring Insects - DIY for small infestation ?
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John 537
03-13-08, 11:16 PM
Hi I have a small localized termite problem in the garage rafters is there something I could do without having to go to the expense and trouble of hiring an termite company ?
What about painting the wood with interior latex paint ?
What about painting the wood with interior latex paint ?
Kobuchi
03-14-08, 12:06 AM
I believe these are drywood termites. You can drill into the rafter and inject a desiccant powder and/or poison to kill the relatively small colony. Cover the holes so termites do not block off those areas, but continue to live (and die) there.
I've only met the earthbound variety of termite, personally. If you put your ear to some wood these are eating, there's a steady, vivid, crunch-crunch sound from their mandibles working. So there's an amusing means of locating these shy bugs. Try it with your drywood termites, I'm curious if they're equally noisy.
Maybe you have more colonies? I'd be combing that garage. The only way to be 100% sure is to fumigate the building.
I would not be surprised if interior latex is actually fit for human consumption - no, the paint will do nothing to termites.
***
BTW, many pet birds, fish, and reptiles eagerly gobble termites. It's a handy supplement as the termites keep well with a hunk of wood in plastic container. Just shake the wood to release a few.
I've only met the earthbound variety of termite, personally. If you put your ear to some wood these are eating, there's a steady, vivid, crunch-crunch sound from their mandibles working. So there's an amusing means of locating these shy bugs. Try it with your drywood termites, I'm curious if they're equally noisy.
Maybe you have more colonies? I'd be combing that garage. The only way to be 100% sure is to fumigate the building.
I would not be surprised if interior latex is actually fit for human consumption - no, the paint will do nothing to termites.
***
BTW, many pet birds, fish, and reptiles eagerly gobble termites. It's a handy supplement as the termites keep well with a hunk of wood in plastic container. Just shake the wood to release a few.
John 537
03-14-08, 01:14 AM
Thanks Kobuchi is there any type or brand of desiccant powder you recommend ? and if I find that it isn't effective what type or brand poison would you recommend that would be safe for a beginner to use ?
Also I have a product called "Concern" it's a diatomaceous earth powder for crawling insects, might that be effective using that in place of the desiccant powder ?
Also I have a product called "Concern" it's a diatomaceous earth powder for crawling insects, might that be effective using that in place of the desiccant powder ?
Kobuchi
03-14-08, 11:24 AM
I guess that's the same stuff. Unfamiliar with brands. How will you know if it fails to kill them all? I would make sure of overkill, myself.
How's the structure holding up?
How's the structure holding up?
twelvepole
03-18-08, 02:07 AM
Call a professional for drywopod termite treatment. The pros have the proper equipment and chemicals that are not available to the consumer.
"The chemical options include aerosol pyrethrum and aerosol and liquid pyrethroids (cyfluthrin, permethrin, bifenthrin), liquid imidacloprid, liquid nitrogen, and liquid and dust formulations of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate," according to University of CA, Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7440.html
"The chemical options include aerosol pyrethrum and aerosol and liquid pyrethroids (cyfluthrin, permethrin, bifenthrin), liquid imidacloprid, liquid nitrogen, and liquid and dust formulations of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate," according to University of CA, Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7440.html