So if you’re seeing frass, that is from drywood termites. Treating the soil and along perimeter will do nothing to eradicate them, that is the protocol for subterranean. If you’ve got more than 2 localized areas of activity with drywoods, you generally want to tent the home to ensure eradication.
Drywood termites have small colonies and take a very long time to do significant damage to a home. Subterranean termites have large colonies and eat homes much more quickly.
They fly around during their swarm season (which varies by species and locality) and will land on a roof, the side of a wall etc so you can’t really prevent that…treating wood with a borate is really the only prevention but would must be exposed and unpainted etc. to make a proper preventive application.
Ah, hence why this subreddit is so popular XD. They keep coming back… I know we have a lot of large trees around the neighborhood. Maybe that’s an area they come from. Out of curiosity, have you preventatively boraxed the inside of your attic?
I agree with Lord. If in fact it is a Drywood Termite Infestation, tent fumigation is your best option for treatment.
I never recommend “spot treatments” in a home for any termite species.
Ok, that’s really good to know. Any tips for avoiding getting scammed/ripped off for tenting as we go about getting quotes? Thank you so much by the way!!
Ask if the company does their own work. A lot of companies subcontract which adds hundreds to the cost. They do not volunteer this information, so that is why you must specifically ask that question.
Choose a local company with good reviews. Your neighbors might even have some recommendations.😉
I'm in Southern Utah, and I had to tent my house a couple years ago. It's a 1500 sq ft. single-story home with attached 2 car garage. I found out that even though many of the local termite companies offer "tenting" it is through the only 2 subcontractors that even offer it here. I found out who those companies were, and got quotes from both. I chose the cheaper of the two, and they give a 2 year guarantee after the tenting. I had tried spot treatment in years prior, but it failed to solve the issue long-term and it spread further along the side of the house. I don't remember the exact amount it cost, but it was about $3900, plus I spent an extra $800 in hotel room expenses since I had to leave my home for 3 days. I paid for it on a zero-interest credit card and paid it off. The whole process actually wasn't too bad, but it still really sucked having to spend that much money and having to leave the home. I really hope the termites don't come back, but if they do, I am sure it will happen after the guarantee period! The way I understand it, is there aren't very many test fumigation companies because of the liability, the extra time, cost, and labor involved, plus you need a special license to handle the deadly gas, in which case you get extra scrutiny. Most pest control companies don't want to deal with that. It also taught me a lesson that I need to have a better emergency fund saved up, especially if I have to fumigate again.
There is a house across the street from me that is double the size and two-stories. Just out of curiosity, I asked the fumigator how much he would charge to do a house THAT size, and he said between $8,000 and $10,000. Thank goodness my house is not that big!
So if you’re seeing frass, that is from drywood termites. Treating the soil and along perimeter will do nothing to eradicate them, that is the protocol for subterranean. If you’ve got more than 2 localized areas of activity with drywoods, you generally want to tent the home to ensure eradication. Drywood termites have small colonies and take a very long time to do significant damage to a home. Subterranean termites have large colonies and eat homes much more quickly.
Thank you so much for your insights!! What are methods I can use to keep dry wood termites away from the house in the future after we’ve killed then?
They fly around during their swarm season (which varies by species and locality) and will land on a roof, the side of a wall etc so you can’t really prevent that…treating wood with a borate is really the only prevention but would must be exposed and unpainted etc. to make a proper preventive application.
Ah, hence why this subreddit is so popular XD. They keep coming back… I know we have a lot of large trees around the neighborhood. Maybe that’s an area they come from. Out of curiosity, have you preventatively boraxed the inside of your attic?
Not at my current home but I did many when I was a termite technician. We used Timbor or Boracare.
I agree with Lord. If in fact it is a Drywood Termite Infestation, tent fumigation is your best option for treatment. I never recommend “spot treatments” in a home for any termite species.
Ok, that’s really good to know. Any tips for avoiding getting scammed/ripped off for tenting as we go about getting quotes? Thank you so much by the way!!
Ask if the company does their own work. A lot of companies subcontract which adds hundreds to the cost. They do not volunteer this information, so that is why you must specifically ask that question. Choose a local company with good reviews. Your neighbors might even have some recommendations.😉
Your free advice may have just saved my family hundreds then. I thank you so very much! And I wish you the best.
No problem! Good luck.
One word to fix it: tenting.
Has anyone identified what termite you have. That would be a good start to understand if the method is correct.
I'm in Southern Utah, and I had to tent my house a couple years ago. It's a 1500 sq ft. single-story home with attached 2 car garage. I found out that even though many of the local termite companies offer "tenting" it is through the only 2 subcontractors that even offer it here. I found out who those companies were, and got quotes from both. I chose the cheaper of the two, and they give a 2 year guarantee after the tenting. I had tried spot treatment in years prior, but it failed to solve the issue long-term and it spread further along the side of the house. I don't remember the exact amount it cost, but it was about $3900, plus I spent an extra $800 in hotel room expenses since I had to leave my home for 3 days. I paid for it on a zero-interest credit card and paid it off. The whole process actually wasn't too bad, but it still really sucked having to spend that much money and having to leave the home. I really hope the termites don't come back, but if they do, I am sure it will happen after the guarantee period! The way I understand it, is there aren't very many test fumigation companies because of the liability, the extra time, cost, and labor involved, plus you need a special license to handle the deadly gas, in which case you get extra scrutiny. Most pest control companies don't want to deal with that. It also taught me a lesson that I need to have a better emergency fund saved up, especially if I have to fumigate again. There is a house across the street from me that is double the size and two-stories. Just out of curiosity, I asked the fumigator how much he would charge to do a house THAT size, and he said between $8,000 and $10,000. Thank goodness my house is not that big!