Termites | Select another Frequently Asked Question

Question: I opened a bag of pine bark nuggets, they were covered with termites. Will this infest my deck next to the flower bed?

Answer: No. Decks are made with treated lumber and should not be in any danger from termite attack. The bag must of been stored on or near the ground for an extended period of time.

Question: Is there any particular odor that is associated with nesting termites or carpenter ants?

Answer: I have never noticed an odor caused by termites or carpenter ants but if the infestation is located where there is a moisture problem you may be able to smell a musty odor due to molds.

Question: I have little tiny white insects eating the wood around my windows, I can’t tell what they are. What could they be?

Answer: Sounds like you may have a termite problem. Termite workers are white in color. I suggest you call your local exterminating company and ask for a free inspection to determine what you have.

Question: I have exposed cement blocks in my basement. I'm planning to stucco them. I'm hearing that stucco attracts termites. Is this true? Will it apply to me since I'm only doing the bottom?

Answer: Stucco may not attract termites but it can create a passage into the house which is hidden from routine inspections. When termites enter a home from the outside foundation, they will build a shelter tube or mud tube up the foundation wall to crawl through. This passageway protects the termites from their enemies and keeps the humidity at a comfortable level. Sometimes the imperfections within a stucco front can create pockets and cracks through which the termites can travel without being seen.

Question: I bought a beach house two years ago and I had termite letters saying that there had been damage in the past but nothing active. I am in the process of selling the house and had found that there is active termites and damage. Is there any way of telling how long these termites have been eating? Should the company that inspected the house two years ago be liable for the damage?

Answer: There really is no way to determine how long the damage has been there. The extent of damage is more dependent on the size of the termite colony than it is to the length time of infestation. Also, most termite certifications have a limited warranty period of one year or less which exclude hidden damage or infestations. You may want to contact the company anyway to see if they would be willing to give you a fair price for a treatment. It never hurts to try.

Question: I am looking to buy a home that has recently had to be fumigated for drywood termites. How concerned should I be? It wasn't completely infested, but two areas of the house did reveal termites.

Answer:Termite infestations are a common problem and I would not let a past infestation change my opinion of the house. Check to see if the company which treated your house has a warranty and keep the home under an annual renewal program. Most companies have these plans and renewal will guarantee you service if a problem should occur in the future. Fumigation kills all of the drywood termites but leaves no residual.

Question: My windows were open without the screens in. The winged type of termite apparently entered my home. Does this mean I have the type of termite that can do structural damage?

Answer: No. The winged reproductive subterranean termite (swarmer) needs to return to the soil for moisture to survive. However, an inspection by a trained professional is needed to identify the type. Any termites which fly into your home from outside will not find the indoor environment very hospitable and will not live very long. So don't worry. You should only be concerned if the winged reproductives are swarming from holes inside your home. Swarms which are occurring inside the house can indicate a possible infestation of your home's wood members. The colony might be close. Termites can't fly very far and rely on wind currents to carry them.

Question: How do I know if I am dealing with a flying ant or a termite? I have some insect that looks to be about an inch long, with wings, mostly black in color.

Answer: The reproductive termite or termite swarmer is normally about a 1/2 inch in length and has wings that appear to be clear. Only two parts can be recognized (the head and a slender body). A flying ant on the other hand has three parts that can be easily distinguished (head, thorax/middle and abdomen). The flying ant also has visible vein structure in the wings. The vein structure of a termite is very difficult to see without a magnifying glass. If you are still not sure, call a professional to get the insects properly identified.

Question: I would like to know if Clorox would kill termites?

Answer: To answer your question honestly I would have to say yes. Store bought Clorox would kill termites when you pour it directly onto them; however, I would not recommend you use Clorox Bleach in this manner. Many different household cleaning products can kill termites on contact but they do not last long. Other chemicals and cleaning agents found around the house would have no residual life and in some cases could do damage to plant life or other unintended targets. The best way to kill termites and prevent future infestation is with a termite baiting system like Sentricon.