Pest Management Professional, September 2010
Termites Inspections More Important Than Ever By Paul Hardy Contributor D uring the past several months Ive heard comments from different groups that concern me about the future of termite control Comments such as By using the new nonrepellent termiticides theres no reason to inspect inside a structure The transfer effect will result in controlling them inside Baits now work much quicker so why bother with an inside inspection the termites will find the bait and any termites will be eliminated Why do you have to treat piers Studies have shown its not necessary Customers dont want any inside inspection and treatment so why should this be required or recommended We now have the silver bullets in termite treatments After nearly 50 years in pest and termite control I believe this is the quiet before the storm Its always better to bet on the insect termites especially As an industry weve never successfully eliminated any pest Contrary to above statements termite inspections are more important than ever A complete and thorough initial inspection along with complete and through documentation is a pest management professionals PMPs best chance to protect themself when termite or insect damage is discovered down the road If you become involved in a court battle or settlement discussion it doesnt matter what you say unless youve thoroughly documented everything found in the initial inspection and the customer has a copy of the documentation before the complaint is filed Back in 1995 the industry saw a return to nonrepellent liquid termiticide and the introduction of modern termite baits These products were successful compared to everything else weve had since Chlordane These modern products were and still are quite spectacular but theyre not a silver bullet The only way to win the war against insects especially termites is to continuously use all the tools available to us There are no short cuts If you dont deal with the inside of the building theres a 40 chance of failure in controlling the termite problem and 100 chance in not finding the preexisting infestation and damage Based on retreatment and claims data approximately 60 of infestations occur on the outside of structures associated with outside foundations The remaining 40 is from infestations inside of structures associated with utility entrances through the slabs bath traps expansion joints and settlement cracks Carefully consider treatment to these problem areas even though labels might not specify it except in infested areas and bath traps In general PMPs are only able to inspect 25 to 35 of a structure due to cluttered contents floor covers wall covers attic insulation and other inaccessible areas PMPs do not have the ability to see behind walls or into ceilings or floors although proper probing tools can help us form intelligent opinions of whats behind there continued on next page www mypmp net SEPTEMBER 2010 PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL 71
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