ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID SWANN / DSWANN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Tortuous termites
Termites work quietly and
relentlessly as they eat our homes
Termites could be sharing your home right now, gnawing on everything in sight, and you wouldn't know it "until you lean on a wall and fall through," said Julian Yates, a specialist in urban entomology at the University of Hawaii.
CORRECTION
Sunday, July 13, 2003>> A story about termites on Page D1 yesterday should have referred to Julian Yates as "he" on the first reference; it incorrectly said "she." A colony's queen grows to about 1 inch in five years, not in one year as the story said. Also, supplementary queens can be produced and sustain a colony after a queen's death; the story said incorrectly the colony withers away after her death. Wood treated with chromated copper arsenate should not be used; the story said incorrectly to use such treated wood. Also, the story said incorrectly that borates are water-soluble and act as a wood preservative; materials should not be exposed to moisture -- the moisture could leach the borates from the treated lumber. Maria Aihara-Sasaki is a research associate for University of Hawaii; her UH connection was unclear. Also, Aihara-Sasaki was quoted as saying, "We treat the schools (for ground termites only) free of charge." The program monitors and helps suppress termites at no cost to the school, but will not provide pest treatment.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.Termites cost local residents more than $100 million annually. Damage is insidious since much of it occurs quietly, unnoticed, Yates said.
"People don't pay much attention until it's too late," she said.
A colony of subterranean Formosan termites - or ground termites - may range from 2 million to 10 million. Over a period of a year, the queen can grow to approximately 1 inch in length (100 times her original size), and she is capable of producing about 2,000 eggs a day. The colony withers away after her death.
The pests were introduced to Oahu in the late 1860s, said Yates. They moved from island to island in shipments of infected wood.
Swarming season occurs mainly in May and June on warm, humid nights. The insects develop wings, fly about and breed - creating more home wreckers.
The majority of termites are workers that can live more than four years and are responsible for all the damage done by a colony.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii are working to control termite damage to residences and public buildings. They are also trying to educate the public through the Hawaii Area-Wide Termite Suppression Project, established through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Services.
Free seminars will be conducted throughout the year at various locations. The next one is Oct. 14 at Aiea High School.
Prevention is necessary because there is no way to eradicate the pest problem entirely. The wood-chewing insects enjoy Hawaii's warm climate, and the forests are full of termites, according to Yates.
"Our main goal is to get the word out to the community, especially to homeowners," said Maria Aihara-Sasaki, a research associate for the state Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Services.
No home is termite-proof, but there are ways to increase termite resistance.
COURTESY OF JULIAN YATES
The queen can grow to about an inch in length, 100 times her original size. She can produce 2,000 eggs daily.
Poorly constructed homes built where large colonies exist can be severely damaged in as little as two years, said Yates.
Most developers do not use termite-resistant materials, so it's up to homeowners to protect their investments. If you are involved in the building process, use wood treated with chromated copper arsenate. The mixture of the oxides of chromium, copper and arsenic impart a familiar green color to the wood.
Borate-treated wood products are the "new boy on the block," said Yates. Borates are water-soluble and act as a preservative for wood that is exposed to moisture. Materials treated with ACZA (ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate) can corrode nails and hurricane clips, causing further damage, he said.
Bait systems should be installed after a home is purchased, Yates said. He suggested the Sentricon baiting system.
In the Sentricon system, the creatures feed on cellulose, the fiber found in all plant products, including cardboard, paper, fruits, nuts, cork and wood. Termites also love sawdust.
The creatures need moisture to thrive, but only a tiny amount, Yates said. So don't overlook any moisture source around your home: condensation on an air conditioner, poor drainage, leaky plumbing or a leaky roof, water collecting on porches, lanais or around plants. Even steam from a kettle condensing on a kitchen cabinet can feed the beasts.
Examine your home for potential avenues of termite entry, Yates said.
"All you need is one access point to give you nightmares. Termites will take advantage of anything to get inside your home."
The pests will even use a metal post as a freeway to get in.
One substantial problem is cracking concrete due to lax building standards, Yates said.
"Cracks are a good avenue for termites. They will gnaw their way through, even if there is only a hairline crack."
Plumbing sleeves are another way the critters can enter a home.
Ground termites may cause mass destruction, but drywood termites are no saints. Drywood termites leave telltale piles of pelletlike droppings, normally dark maroon or beige, depending on the color of the wood. Tiny holes, about the size of a pinhead, may also be apparent.
"Fumigation is the best treatment for drywood termites." But beware: "Fumigation is a one-shot deal," he said. Any living termites in the soil can return to the house through the soil after a 24-hour period. Yates suggested that homes be treated approximately every five years.
"If you do it more often, it is a waste of money," he said.
Termite problems have been a major issue because of the change in chemical-control options, Yates said. Homes built before 1988 were treated with chlorinated hydrocarbons, which were supposed to provide protection for 30 to 40 years. But the chemicals caused major health concerns, and have been replaced by other chemicals that are not as effective against termites in the long term.
COURTESY OF JULIAN YATES
A colony of termites make a home.
Extensive termite damage has been found in public school buildings. The annual bill for repairs exceeds $241 million.
"We are trying to suppress termites in the school buildings. We treat the schools (for ground termites only) free of charge," said Aihara-Sasaki. "We are also trying to work on a science curriculum for middle-school teachers, using termites as a model."
Under the program, students would actively monitor their school for termite activity. The program will accommodate both elementary and high schools once it expands.
Aihara-Sasaki added, "We are hoping the kids will bring this information back to the adults."
Julian Yates can be reached at 956-6747. Information is also available on the University of Hawaii Termite Project's Web site at www2.Hawaii.edu/~entomol.
Avoid pitfalls
How to keep termites from moving in:
>> The golden rule: Wood should not have contact with soil.>> Use resistant construction materials. Removable baseboards and wall panels make inspections easier.
>> Don't use a chemical treatment and a baiting system simultaneously. The chemicals will interfere with the bait.
>> Stucco should never extend below ground level, or termite mud tunnels will be hidden.
>> Downspouts from gutters need to be extended and away from the house.
>> Foliage should be planted several feet from the home. Planters hide everything, especially when attached to the house. Don't use wood chips as compost.
>> Inspect areas with grout since it can shrink, allowing termites to squeeze through. They may also hide in retaining or hollow-tile walls.
Signs of infestation
>> A sagging door or floor
>> Leaks in the roof
>> A warped wall
>> A hollow-sounding beam
>> Discolored or blistered paint
>> Depressions in wood
>> Moisture collecting in unusual places
>> Springy floors or steps
>> Mud tunnels>> Interruptions in power or communications
>> Wood rot
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