Possible Termites

[Guest]

Hi Everyone,

 

For quite a while, I've noticed that my wood floors seem to get these holes in them. Today I noticed some wood in my garage has a large chunk missing. Something in my garage drives my dogs nuts. I think there are mice underneath my house which are driving my dogs nuts in the garage. So I think I'll set some mouse traps. However, the wood issue may be termites.

 

What do others do for termites? A family member plans on calling an exterminator on Monday, and I really want to know if I have any other options.

 

Carolyn

[patty]

Carolyn,

 

If you have termites, you may find "saw dust-like" termite droppings where these guys are chewing away. I live in California and had termites in our house, and we had to fumigate by tenting our house.

 

Patty

[Guest]

Patty,

 

Are termites large enough to see? I don't see any saw-dust like termite droppings near the wood that has been chewed off. I tend to think it's mice and not termites. I know there are mice underneath my house because I can see droppings through one of the vent type things. I'd much rather have get a cat to take care of the mice than setting traps (it bothers me to get close to mice, worms, snakes, etc.) However, I'm allergic to cats.

 

Carolyn

[patty]

Carolyn,

 

I have not actually seen a termite other than the droppings. I believe termites live inside the wood, so you won't see them out. Mice droppings is size of a rice grain and it is black. Mouse traps with peanut butter as bait works really well. The problem with cats is that they might bring you the prize (mouse) when they capture it.

 

Good luck!

 

Patty

[Guest]

Thanks Patty.

 

We're going to have an exterminator come take a look to figure out what's eating the wood (if anything) and go from there.

 

Carolyn

[Guest]

We had one exterminator come to my house and take a look. He said that I have termites by my garage area. He said they would need to treat the garage, under my house, and around the edges of my house. In my garage they would drill holes and inject something in and reapply concrete to the holes. I really need some suggestions here. Any thoughts from those that have had termites or even those that haven't?

 

Carolyn

[kim]

Carolyn,

 

I have never dealt with termites, but I would find out ahead of time exactly what they use to exterminate them! Learn all you can about the chemical/chemicals. I read recently where some insecticides work by interferring with the central nervous system. I'm not trying to be an alarmist, but I think it would be worth while to do a little investigating first.

[Guest]

Thanks Kim.

 

Good News! I don't have termites here. I had two more exterminators come to look because the one seemed awfully pushy with his treatment. My house has already been treated 3-4 years ago and shouldn't need treated for several more years. The wood problem was actually from water damage and bugs had got into the wood. However, it's not termites. We just need to take care of the water damage problem. Thanks for everyones suggestions. I'm really glad it's not termites.

 

Carolyn

[kim]

Carolyn, I'm glad it wasn't too! Good that you got a second opinion