Are Termites your Hidden Tenants?

By Gregg Traum

As members of the AAOC Product & Service Council, we are committed to increase the awareness of the owner/manager in areas of structural infestations and infections, and the factors involved in their solution!

There are basic signs of probable infestations or infections which are noticeable, not only to those who are licensed, but to anyone who is interested and informed! These signs will alert you to obtain the qualified assistance necessary for a proper inspection and recommendations. Notice that these areas are easily incorporated in your existing inspections of grounds and property.

The terms INFESTATIONS and INFECTIONS can be segregated into two general groups. The former, most easily and commonly noticed, is caused by infiltration of an outside source, such as Subterranean Termites or Drywood Termites, Beetles or other wood-boring insects.

Infestations; evidence of Drywood Termite infestations is most commonly seen in the insects' dietary residue (pellets) and detached wings after a swarm, or tiny holes in the wood, used for pellet disposal and air circulation.

The structural pest control industry has made great progress in development of EPA-approved toxins and more effective methods of application in the areas of localized termite treatment. While helping to alleviate the traditional stigmas of mandatory fumigation; local treatments also offer the benefits of a residual barrier against reinfestations at the treated areas.

Localized treatments, performed in conjunction with the pressurized application of a desiccant, leaves an obstacle to reinfestations through the dehydration of alates (winged termites) or swarmers, whose sole intent is establishing a new colony.

Infections; less obvious to the untrained eye, is defined as moisture in direct contact with wood, often identified in inaccessible areas. This creates the perfect environment for fungal growth, due to lack of ventilation. Fungus; a living organism that invades the wood cells and extracts the nutrients from the cell walls, causing wood to lose its integrity and resulting in Dryrot, often requiring major wood replacement. The simplest signs are discoloration in wood, stains, surface fungal growth, constant dampness, and cracks in deck coatings. Severe cost usually is incurred with fungal growth and Dryrot.

Fungus and Dryrot create far more structural damage than termites. Fungus growth is caused by water leaks; roof leaks, deck leaks, and many times it is caused by improperly adjusted sprinkler systems. Fungus spores collect in wood as the tree grows. The spores lie dormant in the lumber much like a seed in the desert. When moisture reaches the spores they send out a root type structure called mycelium. The Fungus feeds on the cellulose which gives the lumber structural integrity. If this condition is left uncorrected, the end result is Dryrot damage wood replacement.

The informed apartment complex or commercial owner/manager is becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of utilizing structural pest control firms whom are not only concerned with the inspection and recommendations, but are knowledgeable concerning the uniform building code and local codes, and are licensed to perform all structural repairs and replacements. Traditionally "work to be performed by others" was the recommendation for anything more than cosmetic or superficial deficiencies. The shortcomings of this approach are the overlapping responsibilities for specific work needing to be performed and the difficulties of ensuring that all structural repairs are performed by a general contractor who is qualified, and also licensed to legally identify and immediately treat infestations and infections that were previously inaccessible. Contractors must work in conjunction with a licensed Structural Pest Control Operator to apply state registered chemicals, per the Business and Professions Code #8556 (a).

To identify the above conditions before they cause significant structural damage, it is recommended that multi-unit structures be inspected at the exterior by a Structural Pest Control Operator, on an annual basis and appropriate recommendations are completed.

Knowing where to obtain professional help will minimize your maintenance costs, reduce liability exposure, and provide warranties & guarantees.

This is a continuing series intended to maintain the structural integrity of your investment and to minimize the possibilities of a fumigation and structural damage caused by Fungus and Dryrot.