[naveenjain]

Hi,

We are remodeling our house, such that the house has been brought down to studs. We found dry wood termite damage in one section of the underfloor and the contractor has removed that piece of wood.

Is this enough? I asked him if there is additional treatment needed and he said that removal of wood is enough.

I think that there should be additional actions that he should take, since just removing the wood may not mean that all the termites are gone.

Please suggest what is the right way to get rid of termites.

 

[dknarnd]

When we purchased our first house 18 years ago we found major termite damage a year after we purchased. We called in a professional to treat and actually signed up on a yearly contract, this was the best thing for us.

They treated both inside and outside the home and have retreated a few times because during different stages of remodeling we found live termites. Luckily our contract is one where if live termites are found they pay for repairing the damaged area if live termites were found.

In other situations during our remodeling they would come out and treat areas as preventative maintenance when I had them opened up for access. Termites can be major issues get a professional to treat.

Check you sill plates, between my attached garage and home I have replaced about 70' of sill, 6 floor joist under the house, 20' of floor joist box end, eaisly about 50 studs in the walls, few sheets of plywood sheathing, sheet rock on the ceiling (luckily there was not significant damage to the rafters)....moral here if not carefully inspected and treated and reinspected they can cause MAJOR damage.

Over time you will learn what to look for; even though we get a yearly inspection due to the contract we have, I can inspect (and do) my home much better than the inspector does.

It's also a good idea to remove as much termite temtation from the outside of you house as possible, wood mulch, shrubs that touch the house, grade your area around the house so water or moisture does not lay around the foundation, extend all down spouts and sump pump outlets as far as possible.

 

[Paragon]

Naveen,

No that is not good enough get a professional in there.

I am in no way a termite professional but the treatment can go as simple as localized treatments to tenting and fumigating of your home depending on the species and level of infestation but only a true blue professional can determine the level of treatment that is needed on your home.

Let the contractor stick to the building and let the bug man stick to his profession.

Good luck and be safe!

 

[Joe F]

Naveen,

No that is not good enough get a professional in there.

I am in no way a termite professional but the treatment can go as simple as localized treatments to tenting and fumigating of your home depending on the species and level of infestation but only a true blue professional can determine the level of treatment that is needed on your home.

Let the contractor stick to the building and let the bug man stick to his profession.

Good luck and be safe!

I agree. Get a bug guy in there. In fact, during a renovation, they can treat areas that would normally be inaccessable.

 

[ARI001]

Naveenjain,
You need to hire a professional exterminator to come and treat the structure and soil. If the framing is exposed have them do a Borate treatment on it. Then have them treat the soil outside and inside the structure, as well as in any wall voids (they will have to drill holes in the slab about every twelve inches). The best pesticides for getting rid of termites that I have read about will have fiprinol or imidacloprid (sp?). Also have them do an inspection and have your contractor remove any additional wood that is in question. If you have them in the sub-floor they are probably going to be in the joists, sill plate, ban board ect. Have these treated and repaired as neccesary.