Comments on: Severe termite damage-how fast do termites eat wood?

By: The Bug Doctor

The Bug Doctor — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:27:00 +0000

Been there done that on paying what we call “association fees” NO ONE wants to LISTEN to common sense to solve a problem. It’s much like a little tyrannical government that has to follow each rule to the blasted letter even though common sense is smack in their face. (and I’m talking termites which they knew I owned a service company for it) As far as saying the termites did such damage in a certain amount of time- the only certainty is there is no certainty. But, 3 to 6 months? That would mean multiple colonies or Formosans (and multiple of them too) – This is of course taking your description as either complete or “major” damage. The math can be correct for such damage- but look at the extremes that would need to take place. That said- in a court of law, can’t be proven out of the realm of possibilities AND, there is no sure way to determine how long it takes to have a certain amount of damage.

By: Katolear

Katolear — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:19:00 +0000

Hello, I have had my home gutted by Giant Subterranean White ants. the first quote was for $60,000 Australian.
I was paying my strata levies but others on the complex weren’t so a pest inspection was not done at all last year and I was not told. I have been given a complete run around as the head of my strata is too powerful and corrupt.
i have every insurance going but nothing covers for termites. I have seen 6 lawyers with no help and I had a hearing at the States Administrative Tribunal, but this was dropped, as they only deal with damages up to $1000! The staff member who advised me had retired when I got back to him.
There was a cyclone recently and my roof had to be held down by the SES. Eventually a building company felt sorry for me and wanted the advertising it would bring them in the local newspaper so they fixed my house for $25, 000.
But this is still a lot of money!
I have had a barrier treatment around my home, but a scientist friend, said my storage shed is a weak point and they may still be able to get in!
I have had such a horror 3 months.
Now the builders say the place was so bad they estimate the termites had been there for years, my pest control man says the damage could have been caused in 3 to 6 months.
Who do I believe? My whole roof was gutted, carport, shed, verandah and skirting boards.
Kathy O’Leary, Broome, Western Australia

By: Putting Off Termite Work

Putting Off Termite Work — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:32:34 +0000

[...] Worried about termites wondering why there are wings on your windowsill? You may have Termites. Learn more – Do I Have Termites? [...]

By: Putting Off Termite Work | Neil's great food … words

Putting Off Termite Work | Neil's great food … words — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:34:54 +0000

[...] Worried about termites wondering why there are wings on your windowsill? You may have Termites. Learn more – Do I Have Termites? [...]

By: The Bug Doctor

The Bug Doctor — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:24:00 +0000

You’ll solve that particular problem but you won’t alleviate the threat. You might want to have a professional come out and inspect that area as well as the rest of the home. Not sure if you saw my article/video on termites in brick homes. http://pestcemetery.com/termites-brick-house/

I should do a follow up on that article because I was just back in that house the other day and there was ‘significant’ damage uncovered when the new home owner cam in and started fixing it up.

By: Pamela Forbus

Pamela Forbus — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:51:00 +0000

We have a concrete block house off the back of the house is a 2X4 addition. We are doing some remodeling and when we opened the wall we found termite damage. Can we just replace the wooden 2×4 with steel studs and have solved our problem? The damage is all on the bottom part of the wall not even near the ceiling truss area.

By: The Bug Doctor

The Bug Doctor — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:19:00 +0000

Yes there are x-ray machines but very expensive to have someone out with it. Thermal imaging is not quite as visually effective but you can get a shadow image of the studs and damage- Try an awl (tiny) poke it in the drywall through to the stud. Hit damage and the awl will go in and you can feel the ‘missing or soft damaged’ wood/stud—good wood and the awl will not go past the drywall once it hits solid wood.
Not something we as exterminators are ‘allowed to do’ in our visual inspections so you may need to get permission from owners before poking holes in the drywall.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:24:00 +0000

IS THERE A WAY TO LOOK INSIDE THE WALLS WITH AN X-RAY TYPE OF MACHINE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE???
THE HOUSE IS 6 YRS OLD, HAS BEEN VACANT FOR 2 YRS. AND THE TERMITE INSPECTOR FOUND AND TREATED IT TODAY–THIS HOUSE IS IN MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA. WE ARE LOOKING AT BUYING THIS HOUSE ???????

By: Annerledford

Annerledford — Mon, 23 May 2011 05:04:00 +0000

Thanks so much for your reply. Ijust wasn’t sure how much I need to stay on their case about this, so now I am not going to let it rest until it is done!

By: The Bug Doctor

The Bug Doctor — Mon, 23 May 2011 01:01:00 +0000

Hi Anne,
Procrastination doesn’t help for sure– funny how it’s “no big deal” when it’s your $$– I have kids too…
Damage won’t decrease that’s for sure but if you can see your way clear to getting the job done soon it shouldn’t be that much worse. (don’t get me wrong-it could be pretty bad already and it may be a big surprise one way or the other when you open the wall-if you do that is) The termite job probably won’t be higher unless you were to wait til say next year, prices tend to inch up each season.

Hope you get the job done soon, it’ll put your mind at ease and stop any further damage.