[Problems & Solutions] Answers to Your Tough Pest Questions

TIME BETWEEN TERMITICIDE TREATMENTS?

Regarding termites and the chemicals used to treat for them, I have some customers who have had termite treatments performed by my company more than 10 years ago. They, as well as I, would like to know if they need a full termite job again. I think the answer depends on the chemicals used at that time, as to whether or not the active ingredient is still active. I am trying to figure out what to tell my customers who ask if they need a new termite treatment after so many years. (I understand that using termite baiting systems are totally different.)

You have raised a question many pest management professionals have dealt with. There are thousands, probably hundreds of thousands, of structures in the same situation nationwide. Pest management firms have traditionally just "waited it out." In other words, taking into consideration the area of the country and termite populations, etc., companies keep the structures on annual inspections with the understanding that if termites come back they would treat the reinfested areas. Of course, as I am sure your contract states, they also would not be responsible for damage from the reinfestation (since this would be a problem with the barrier being disturbed). However, we know many things affect today’s termiticides once they are in the soil and degradation of older materials has been documented through research.

All that being said, during the last several years, many companies have considered and performed "booster" treatments to structures treated several years ago. Termiticide labels (pyrethroid and chlorpyrifos) allow for retreatment if the pest management professional deems that the barrier has been broken or that the chemical has been degraded to a point where it is no longer effective. Retreatment usually amounted to a trench and soil treatment (not re-drilling holes, etc.).

As I stated, we know that termiticides applied to exterior foundation soils are subject to a faster breakdown and some compromising situations than those chemicals placed in protected areas (i.e., under slabs). Exterior soils are subject to moisture and fluctuating temperatures and conditions that can affect the longevity of a pesticide’s active ingredient. In addition, over the span of years, homeowners may compromise the treatment by landscaping or adding soil and mulches to the foundation areas. In addition, landscaping grows and roots may penetrate the chemically treated soil, which would allow termites following roots to gain access to the foundation. Over the years structures also "move" — they settle, cracks form, etc., and termites may find those and enter the structure.

We know from studies that there can be many termite colonies around a foundation or near a structure. There is no way of knowing when or if these termites will attack or invade a structure. Given time, the odds increase for reinfestation.

It is remarkable to note that many structures treated many years ago with pyrethroid and organophosphate materials have not been reinfested. So, I guess the important question for you (and maybe for you to ask those customers) is how comfortable to you feel about reinfestation. Retreatment can be performed under current labels; check with your regulatory agencies as some have a little different interpretation. If your state is a "as per label" state then you should be able to offer retreatment to the customer.

Some companies have opted to sell a monitoring system to the customer. Place monitors (stations with wood), not monitors from baiting systems, around the structure and if termites are found then you can offer a treatment option, a bait or liquid treatment. The reason I say that bait system monitors should not be used is because in the interpretation of many state agencies, those monitors are part of a baiting system, must be baited if hit, and are a "treatment" which requires a contract.

Options are there. It sounds like you have many customers who would pay for some reinforcement of your termite treatment and would stay under contract. You definitely should explore the "booster treatment" possibilities.

The author is president of George Rambo Consulting Services, Central, S.C. Fax questions to him at 864/654-2447 or via e-mail at grambo@giemedia.com.