Termites?

[B7510]

Mopower,

Talking to your local extension agent is a good idea in my book. THere are a number of different termite varieties out there. The nastiest I have heard of is the Formosan Termite. Showed up down in New Orleans some years ago and last I heard were eating their way through the historic district. The have been know to eat through the CCA treated portion of a post, with each termite chewing through as much as it can till it dies, then they reach the untreated core and hollow out the post.

If you have wood that is out of the weather you might want to look into one of the borate based preservatives. They are relatively safe around people and water soluable. Borate is supposed to be effective on termites. You just can't put it on where it will get wet or it will wash right out of the wood.

http://www.nisuscorp.com/boracare.html

This is a link to one of the borate based preservatives. Last time I had to use it all we did was use a garden sprayer to put it on. Far as I know it is still considered pretty safe stuff to use around people.

 

[mopower440]

I was wondering if there was anything i could buy at lowes or the co-op or something that i could put in the garden sprayer that i could spray directly on the ground around the perimeter of the building that would keep them away? I have heard of people using diesel or kerosene and it works well, but thats not a good idea..

 

[Soundguy]

Permethrin oil emulsion from an AG supply store. Quart usually goes for about 9 bucks.. mixes with water.. and then you can spray it. Looks like honey.. but mixes to a milk looking emulsion.

Cheaper than the termite stuff sold at box stores.. etc. Permethrin "pretty much" kills ALL bugs. Sticks around for a while due to the oil base..

Soundguy