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by TracyTan on March 19th, 2007

TracyTan

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My termite inspector report said I have drywood termite in my house(SF bay area) and should get fumigation, but my neighbor said they have the same problem too and we don't need to worry about it, what should I do?

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Answers. 5 helpful answers below.

  • by the bug man on March 19th, 2008

    the bug man

    I am an inspector in Socal. Fumigation is just one of many methods of ridding a home of drywood termites. Fumigation is usually recommended when the inspector has found multiple colonies throughout a structure and/or that an infestation is located in an inaccessible area were local treatment cannot be made. Fume will kill 100%
    what is behind the tarps, it does not leave a residual. Now if you look at your report and notice trouble spots can be treated via drill and treat or spray method than local treatment with a Borate is the best because it's an inorganic salt that is of low toxicity to mammalians and will penetrate and stay in the wood for years. Borates not only kill and control termites it is also used for carpenter ants and bee's, fungi and mold which makes it the only dual purpose chemical that a termite technician can employ. DON'T fall for the ORANGE OIL placebo. It will kill locally but only last for hours and has a flash point of 115 degrees which makes it somewhat of a fire hazard. Alot of companys will use a Borate after Orange oil to cover their butt but Borates do it on it's own so why. If you do need fume for the reasons mentioned then you need it with out question. Alot of people in this state think Fume is a bogey man but it will knock out everything living, and would go better an annual control service ( which typically cost 200-300 for a 2-4 bedroom single family residence). Hope I helped. I am a licensed inspector (Lic. FR41505). I work with Raidex termite (Socal) and Pest as an inspector for both wood destroying organism and general pests. We don't in anyway service north so I'm just giving the best advice.

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  • by pctech26 on July 7th, 2007

    pctech26

    Im going to tell ya, Termites eat wood. Enough said? Your neighbors an idiot, and if you listen to him you will both have serious repairs to do on your house while scratching your heads, saying i guess i should have done something. Id suggest fumigation, and/or the application of a borate spray on the the wooden supports in walls, floors, and roof of your home. It will cost alot but the fumigation is probably needed however.

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  • by on-siteinspections on November 8th, 2008

    on-siteinspections

    I am a termite inspector in the SF Bay Area.Lic.#OPR-10066
    A primary recommendation should be given to fumigate the structure if the infestation extends into inaccessible areas. Localized treatments can be given but only guarantee the areas treated and not the entire house. Fumigation usually will have a 1- 2 year warranty from the fumigation company on the entire house. There is no residual effects from a fumigation. An infestation can occur the next day after the tent is removed from the house next door. It takes about three years for a colony to establish itself. Heat treatments also are recognized as a primary recommendation when fumigations cannot be performed such as with attached structures.
    Drywood termites migrate and will be inside wall cavities. Localized treatments can be performed with borates (low toxicity pesticides) where the kick holes are injected and small holes drilled into the cavities surrounding the infestation with borates sprayed into the cavities.
    It is understandable why there are objections to fumigations.
    A. You have to be out of the house for 2-3 days.
    B. Non canned food items have to be removed
    C. Pets have to be boarded
    D. Plants within 12" of the structure will be killed or damaged
    E. roof damage from workers and the placement of the tent can also occur.
    Fumigations are usually performed during a sale transfer as the property is vacant.

    There are several companies that specialize in localized treatment. The orange oil treatment has been discouraged by the pest control board and other pest control inspection companies because it has been touted as an alternative to a fumigation.
    Borate treatments have long term effects plus the added bonus of being a fungicide as well as a pesticide with low toxicity.

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  • by Hooty on November 17th, 2007

    Hooty

    Take a look here it is helpful. Read Villa Termti I think it was called. It is a study done by a PHD at Cal.

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  • by anguilla on March 21st, 2007

    anguilla

    You should definitely have some kind of treatment done to your house. If you doubt the truthfulness of your inspector, you could ask another company to check it out.

    If your neighbor suggested something other than fumigation, you could research it and see if you think it will work.

    But you should NOT do nothing. The termites will do lots of bad things to your house and you'll have to pay for repairs eventually.

    Good luck!

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