Termite and insect infestation

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STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL(Termite and Insect Infestation)

By: Karlo Bauzon Arjay Garlan

Common Wood Destroying Insects

Termites

Carpenter Ants

Powderpost Beetles

Longhorn Beetles

Flatheaded Borers

Wood-boring Weevils

Termites

Subterranean

Dampwood

Drywood

Major destroyers of wood and wood product materials. Normally associated with buildings, but can also infest wood that has been stored for some time. There are three basic kinds of termites:

Isoptera(termites)

[social insects, winged reproductives with both wings same size and membranous; straight or curved antennae consists of beadlike segments; abdomen broadly joined to thorax; no cerci; chewing mouthparts]

Ant or Termite?

Figure 3-5

Termites are sometimes called “white ants” because they are ant-like in form. Termites differ in antenna form and having a broad waist.

Subterranean termite colonies live in the soil from which they construct exploratory tubes in search of wood.

Termite Swarming is usually the first evidence of an infestation noticed by most people.

Drywood Termites Can live in dry, sound wood

Usually tropical and subtropical

Kick out characteristic fecal pellets

Subterranean (left), Drywood (right)

Drywood Termite Fecal Pellets

Carpenter Ants

Camponotus

Figure 3-9

Carpenter Ants build nests in wood, they don’t eat it!

Carpenter Ant Damage Carpenter ants need

water

Usually build nests in damp or partially rotted wood, but can extend their nests into sound wood

Keep lumber dry and properly stacked.

Powder Post BeetlesThree Families

Lyctids Bostrichids Anobiids

The main sign of powderpost beetles is powdery sawdust.

Powderpost beetles turn wood to dust!

Lyctid powderpost beetles:

Attack sapwoodAttack hardwoods only, rarely mapleRequire 8% to 32% moisture

Anobiid powderpost beetles:

Prefer old woods, 10-20 years old!Attack hardwoods and softwoods including mapleRequire 13% to 30% moisture

Wood-boring weevil, Hexarthum:

Frass looks like powderpost beetlesAttack hardwoods, including mapleRequire high wood moistures, often wet!

Wood-boring Beetle Management

Detect early! (regularly inspect - powder)

Keep lumber at less than 5% moisture

Keep lumber off of moist floors or ground

Resaw to remove sapwood

Don’t purchase infested lumber & destroy lumber that becomes infested

Fumigate high cost lumber (professionals only!)

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BRANCH /LICENSE DIFFERENCES

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WHAT IS STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL ?

Definition: Contain and control the condition of

household and wood destroying pests which invade households, other structures and their contents

Conduct Inspections Identify infestations

write reports, make recommendations, submit bids and estimates

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LICENSE CLASSIFICATION

Branch I - Fumigation Branch II - General Pest Branch III - Termite Control

The SPCB issues licenses in three specialties or branches….

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LICENSE CLASSIFICATION Branch I - Fumigation

Operator Field Representative

Branch II - General Pest Operator Field Representative Applicator

Branch III - Termite Control Operator Field Representative Applicator

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BRANCH I -FUMIGATION Use of lethal gases to control:

Termites Wood boring insects Other household pests

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BRANCH I -FUMIGATION Two most commonly

used fumigants :

Surfuryl Flouride (Vikane® )

Methyl Bromide

Chloropicrin used as a warning agent

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BRANCH II General Pest Control

Household, Industrial, Institutional and Commercial (excluding fumigants, termiticides and wood preservatives)

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BRANCH II General Pest Control

Typical pests controlled include: General Pests

Ants, Earwigs, Crickets

Noxious pests Spiders, Fleas, Ticks

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BRANCH II General Pest Control

Typical pests controlled include (cont.): Stored products pests

Indian Meal Moth, Cigarette Beetle, Saw-toothed Grain Beetle

Fabric pests Clothes moth, Carpet Beetle

Structural Vertebrate Pests

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BRANCH III Termite Control

Inspect for wood destroying pests and organisms in: Homes Commercial structures and for real estate transactions

Make recommendations Perform structural repairs Apply termiticides and wood

preservatives

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LICENSES The SPCB registers

companies and licenses people.

Licensed people include: Operator Field Representative Applicator (Branch II

and III only)

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An operator may: own or qualify a company identify pests negotiate contracts apply pesticide

Operator LICENSES

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A licensed Field Representative may: identify pests negotiate contract apply pesticide

Field RepresentativeLICENSES

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LICENSES

A licensed Applicator may: Apply pesticides in

Branch II & III Fumigants can only be

applied by Operators and Field Representative.

Applicator

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UNLICENSED ACTIVITIES Performing work

beyond the scope of the license

Performing work without a license

Applying pesticides outside the scope of structural use