Swarming termites aren’t a signal to be frantic, says a University of Georgia scientist.
It’s a time to make
deliberate, careful termite control decisions.
| Scott Bauer, USDA, contact the USDA photo unit for
high-res images  |
| Termite alaltes, also known as
swarmers |
“If you see a swarm in your house, don’t panic,” said Brian
Forschler, an entomologist with
the UGA College of
Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences.
Most termites native to Georgia will be swarming from now
until early June, he said.
They swarm when a percentage of the termites within a
population become adults and fly
away to start a new colony.
Controlling
termites
“Most termite damage is not sudden and catastrophic,”
Forschler said.
“Talk to several pest control firms. Weigh the control
options, and look at price and
contracts.”
Termite control, he said, is more art than science.
“Despite the best intentions, termite damage can still
occur,” he said.
“Read your contract carefully. Be sure of what kind of
warranty is offered. And try
to lock in a renewal rate for future years.”
Termite fighting
tactics
Scott Bauer, USDA, contact the USDA photo unit for
high-res images
DEFENDING THE NEST Damage to a
nest of formosan subterranean termites brings hoards
of workers and soldiers scrambling to
repair the hole. Termites shown are four times actual
size.
Many pest control companies are pushing termite baits
as a new, easy way to kill
termites. But they’re not a silver bullet, Forschler
said.
“There are no silver bullets when it comes to termite
control,” he said.
Forschler has tested termite control tactics, including
the bait systems, in his labs.
From what he’s seen, he’s not comfortable with relying
solely on the popular baits or any
other single control method.
He tells homeowners to ask their pest control operator
to use a combination of methods.
Use all the tools
available
“Termite control professionals have a variety of tools
in their toolbox,” he
said. There are wood treatments, soil treatments, baits
and moisture control. The best
control involves all four.”
Forschler said companies began marketing the new
termite baits several years ago, and
the pest control industry has quickly adopted this new
technology.
“Termite baiting tactics are less time-consuming to
install, compared to
conventional soil treatments,” Forschler said. “And
they’re often less intrusive
to the homeowner.”
The termite baits appeal to homeowners, too, because
they’re promoted as being
environmentally friendly, he said
Safety is
important
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is
responsible for pesticide
registration, is playing catch-up with the new technology,
he said.
The EPA has ruled the baits environmentally safe. The
agency hasn’t ruled on how well
they work.
“By the end of this year they will issue a standard for
efficacy testing of
termite baits which will be required by all termite bait
registrants,” Forschler
said. “The currently registered termite baits will have to
meet this new standard of
efficacy to keep their current registrations.”
Termite
society
| Scott Bauer, USDA, contact the USDA photo unit for
high-res images  |
| MAKING A MEAL OF PAPER
Formosan subterranean termites are shown feeding on sudan-red stained filter paper. |
The product literature provided with some termite
baits, he said, contains misleading
information on termite biology. And he should know.
Forschler has been studying termites
in Georgia for the past eight years.
“The complex social structure of termites and their
hidden lifestyle make them
hard to study,” he said. “Yet, every year, termite
researchers around the
country are making new discoveries concerning
termites.”
Forschler said the way a home is built may contribute
to termite problems.
“A hundred years ago, houses were built off the ground
so the wood was dry, and
builders used wood termites don’t like to eat,” he
said. “In the ’50s, chemicals
were trusted so much that home builders didn’t worry about
building in ways that protect
the house from termites.”
That trend, he said, has gotten worse. “Houses today
are built of materials that
make great termite food. And they’re often built in ways
that invite termites,” he
said.
