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Termite Control in the Home
Wood destroying insects and other organisms can cause serious problems in the wood structural components of a
house and may go undetected for a long period of time.
New Construction
All chemical soil treatments, bait systems, and chemical wood treatment must be approved by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and applied in accordance with the EPA label instructions. In some cases it is not feasible for
a builder to arrange for soil treatment. In this regard, the International Residential Code (IRC) by the International
Code council allows a builder to utilize pressure treated wood as a measure of termite protection. If pressure treated
wood is used, however, it must be used in all framing members up to and including the top plate of the first floor level
wall. This includes the subfloor and floor joists of the first floor. The use of pressure treated wood in only the sill plate
is not acceptable. In such cases, the builder must provide the lender with a letter stating that the house is protected
from termites by the use of pressure treated wood. The builder must also provide the home buyer with a one year
warranty against termites. The use of post-construction soil treatment where the chemicals are applied only around
the perimeter of the foundation is NOT acceptable in new construction.
Appraisers Observations
Appraisers are to observe all areas of the house and other structures/areas within the legal boundaries of the
property that have potential for infestation by termites and other wood destroying organisms, including the bottoms of
exterior doors and frames, wood siding in contact with the ground and crawl spaces. Mud tunnels running from the
ground up the side of the house may indicate termite infestation. Observe the eave and gable vents and wood window
sills for indication of the entrance of swarming termites and note excessive dampness or large areas where the
vegetation is dead. Evidence of active termite infestation must be noted.
Termites - Why the concern?
There are many species of structural infesting termites and each one has developed effective ways to get at and
attack the wood in your home. Preventing termite attack and killing these termites is vital if you want to avoid the
damage they cause.
Termites live in colonies which are usually underground, although sometimes they can be within your home itself. The
"worker" termite forages outside of the colony for food. It consumes the wood creating "galleries" and then returns to
feed the rest of the colony. Tell-tale signs of termites include mud (or shelter) tubes on foundation walls, termite
swarms and of course infested wood members. Critter Ridders are trained and licensed professionals who know
termites and the products available for eliminating and/or preventing their attack.
KING and QUEEN
In a young colony, the king and the queen are the actively reproducing termites in the colony. Their only function is
the production of the eggs.
EGGS
The tiny termite egg is almost transparent.
During the incubation period the egg is groomed and tended by workers. The larva hatches from the egg and is about
the same size.
WORKER
This termite is the one which forages from the nest to the wood supply and returns with food for the colony.
SOLDIER
Defender of the colony, the soldier termite develops a long, armored head and mandibles capable of cutting an enemy
ant in half. The soldier also sounds the alarm by banging his head against the side of a tunnel.
When nymphs reach maturity and become swarmers (kings and queens), they all leave the colony at about the same
time, usually in Spring or Fall. The swarmers fly very poorly and most of them flutter for only a few yards before falling
to the ground.
When the short flight is finished, the swarmers drop their wings and the males begin a frenzied search for compatible
mates. Because the swarmers are exposed and are prey to predator birds and insects, very few ever survive to
establish a new colony.
Earth tube of the subterranean termite Earth tubes between the soil and some wooden structure under the house is a
sure sign of subterranean termites. These tubes can go up the foundation wall, along plumbing, or directly from the
soil to the wood.
Hollow wood underneath a finished surface. Wood underneath will have earthfilled galleries, but termites are not
always present.
Subterranean termites are the most damaging insects of wood. Their presence is hard to notice and damage usually is
found before the termites are seen. Prevent infestations because if they occur they will almost always need
professional pest control service.
Signs of Infestation
Generally, the first sign of infestation is the presence of swarming termites on the window or near indoor light. If they
are found inside the house, it almost always means that they have infested. Other signs that may be found are termite
wings on window sills or in cobwebs, and shelter tubes which are tunnels constructed by the termites from soil or wood
and debris.
Usually, wood damage is not found at first, but when it is found it definitely reveals a termite infestation. Anywhere
wood touches soil is a possible entry into a home for termites. Examine wood which sounds dull or hollow when struck
by a screwdriver or hammer. Inspect suspected areas with a sharp, pointed tool such as an ice pick to find termite
galleries or their damage.
Control
Control measures include reducing the potential infestation, preventing termite entry and applying chemicals for
remedial treatment.
Inspection
Inspect thoroughly to determine if there is an infestation, damage, and/or conditions that could invite a termite attack
or the need fo remedial control measures. The tools and equipment needed for an inspection include a flashlight, ice
pick or sharp-pointed screwdriver, ladder and protective clothing.
Wood destroying insects and other organisms can cause serious problems in the wood structural components of a
house and may go undetected for a long period of time.
New Construction
All chemical soil treatments, bait systems, and chemical wood treatment must be approved by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and applied in accordance with the EPA label instructions. In some cases it is not feasible for
a builder to arrange for soil treatment. In this regard, the International Residential Code (IRC) by the International
Code council allows a builder to utilize pressure treated wood as a measure of termite protection. If pressure treated
wood is used, however, it must be used in all framing members up to and including the top plate of the first floor level
wall. This includes the subfloor and floor joists of the first floor. The use of pressure treated wood in only the sill plate
is not acceptable. In such cases, the builder must provide the lender with a letter stating that the house is protected
from termites by the use of pressure treated wood. The builder must also provide the home buyer with a one year
warranty against termites. The use of post-construction soil treatment where the chemicals are applied only around
the perimeter of the foundation is NOT acceptable in new construction.
Appraisers Observations
Appraisers are to observe all areas of the house and other structures/areas within the legal boundaries of the
property that have potential for infestation by termites and other wood destroying organisms, including the bottoms of
exterior doors and frames, wood siding in contact with the ground and crawl spaces. Mud tunnels running from the
ground up the side of the house may indicate termite infestation. Observe the eave and gable vents and wood window
sills for indication of the entrance of swarming termites and note excessive dampness or large areas where the
vegetation is dead. Evidence of active termite infestation must be noted.
Termites - Why the concern?
There are many species of structural infesting termites and each one has developed effective ways to get at and
attack the wood in your home. Preventing termite attack and killing these termites is vital if you want to avoid the
damage they cause.
Termites live in colonies which are usually underground, although sometimes they can be within your home itself. The
"worker" termite forages outside of the colony for food. It consumes the wood creating "galleries" and then returns to
feed the rest of the colony. Tell-tale signs of termites include mud (or shelter) tubes on foundation walls, termite
swarms and of course infested wood members. Critter Ridders are trained and licensed professionals who know
termites and the products available for eliminating and/or preventing their attack.
KING and QUEEN
In a young colony, the king and the queen are the actively reproducing termites in the colony. Their only function is
the production of the eggs.
EGGS
The tiny termite egg is almost transparent.
During the incubation period the egg is groomed and tended by workers. The larva hatches from the egg and is about
the same size.
WORKER
This termite is the one which forages from the nest to the wood supply and returns with food for the colony.
SOLDIER
Defender of the colony, the soldier termite develops a long, armored head and mandibles capable of cutting an enemy
ant in half. The soldier also sounds the alarm by banging his head against the side of a tunnel.
When nymphs reach maturity and become swarmers (kings and queens), they all leave the colony at about the same
time, usually in Spring or Fall. The swarmers fly very poorly and most of them flutter for only a few yards before falling
to the ground.
When the short flight is finished, the swarmers drop their wings and the males begin a frenzied search for compatible
mates. Because the swarmers are exposed and are prey to predator birds and insects, very few ever survive to
establish a new colony.
Earth tube of the subterranean termite Earth tubes between the soil and some wooden structure under the house is a
sure sign of subterranean termites. These tubes can go up the foundation wall, along plumbing, or directly from the
soil to the wood.
Hollow wood underneath a finished surface. Wood underneath will have earthfilled galleries, but termites are not
always present.
Subterranean termites are the most damaging insects of wood. Their presence is hard to notice and damage usually is
found before the termites are seen. Prevent infestations because if they occur they will almost always need
professional pest control service.
Signs of Infestation
Generally, the first sign of infestation is the presence of swarming termites on the window or near indoor light. If they
are found inside the house, it almost always means that they have infested. Other signs that may be found are termite
wings on window sills or in cobwebs, and shelter tubes which are tunnels constructed by the termites from soil or wood
and debris.
Usually, wood damage is not found at first, but when it is found it definitely reveals a termite infestation. Anywhere
wood touches soil is a possible entry into a home for termites. Examine wood which sounds dull or hollow when struck
by a screwdriver or hammer. Inspect suspected areas with a sharp, pointed tool such as an ice pick to find termite
galleries or their damage.
Control
Control measures include reducing the potential infestation, preventing termite entry and applying chemicals for
remedial treatment.
Inspection
Inspect thoroughly to determine if there is an infestation, damage, and/or conditions that could invite a termite attack
or the need fo remedial control measures. The tools and equipment needed for an inspection include a flashlight, ice
pick or sharp-pointed screwdriver, ladder and protective clothing.
