Our “termite guy” performed the annual inspection on our house a couple of weeks ago. I am please to report that our house is termite-free. So, why did he recommend an insecticide treatment?
Entomoligist Ed Freytag (left) and microbiologist Alan Lax inspect termite damage in New Orleans. Image taken in: United States Image Citation: (?) Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. Our house is a split-level situated perpendicular to a slope, so that the “uphill” end is one story and the “downhill” end is three stories (counting the unfinished basement). At all levels the “first floor” is brick so that any wood construction is several feet removed from the concrete foundation. We do have a wooden deck in back spanning the length of the house.
We witnessed a very thorough inspection of foundation, deck, and basement, and received a very informative and complete report. The inspector found neither termites nor evidence of termites. A few old stumps indicate that we and the neighbors have lost a few trees over the years. His recommendation? Treat around the foundation with insecticide and continue annual inspections.
It’s the treatment recommendation that bothers me. We inspect every year and haven’t found any evidence of termites yet, so why should we treat? Until 2004 I never lived in a termite area, but here at NCSU it is not hard to find an entomologist who is a homeowner and has lived in “termite land” for a while. Turns out I have three of them (entomologists, not termites) working right in my office suite.
Here is what I learned. 1. I should be vigilant about termites. 2. If that vigilance uncovers evidence of a termite threat, arrange for an appropriate treatment. 3. If that vigilance fails to uncover any threat of infestation, forego treatment. 4. Stay vigilant.
Now, I’m not making any recommendation for anyone else. I suspect you folks a little further south might need a different approach. and should contact your Cooperative Extension office for good advice. But speaking for me, here in Raleigh: I won’t put out any termaticide this year. I will continue with annual inspections. But I’ll switch to an inspector with a more reasonable IPM approach.
The termite guy that I hired also did a thorough inspection of the house, didn’t find any termites or signs of them, but didn’t recommend treatment. He did say, however, that many companies recommend treatment because they’re trying to start a contract with the homeowner. If you have a contract with a termite company, they’re obligated to treat.