[Problems & Solutions] Answers To Your Tough Questions

WHAT'S WITH WDI TRAINING?

Q I have seen that several states have
started training about WDI inspections even though there are regulations within states for WDI inspections. What is the reason for this? It would seem that if regulations are in place then violators would be subject to the enforcement of the law. What’s your perspective on these programs?

A Yes, this is an interesting phenomenon that has started to surface within the WDI industry. It all started with Pennsylvania years ago and in the last few years other states have joined in to either start a voluntary "credentialing" program, support new regulations for WDI inspections, or have finally sat back and looked at one of the major contributors to litigation in the industry.

As I see it, and I have taught a couple of these programs, state associations have decided that a standardization needs to be addressed in the area of WDI inspections. Sometimes this has been fueled by possible changes or tightening of regulations. Sometimes it has been the realization that maybe we all need to sit down and consider what we are doing.

These programs are beneficial. They include presentations that mainly deal with the inspection process rather than termite or ant biology and control techniques. The discussions that take place are probably the most beneficial and often show we still have gaps in the understanding of what is a "good" inspection and liabilities associated with inspections.

Most programs center on inspections for real estate transfers and if you read most state regulations for these inspections, the regulations are set up for those inspections. Subtly, there may be differences but an inspection for WDIs or WDOs (if you perform wood rot inspections) should always follow the same parameters (in my opinion). Perhaps a question to ask is: If I inspect a structure for property transfer is my liability more or less than a property I inspect for treatment or one I have treated (annual inspection)? I ask this because I find that some companies that perform WDI reports for real estate take more time than they do performing an annual inspection. In fact, I know of companies that can schedule about four WDI inspections in a day but schedule 10+ for an annual inspection. (And that’s just counting the time on the job — not the paperwork.) Of course, there are companies that perform 10 property transfers a day. May-be that is the crux of the problem — too little time spent for the potential liability involved.

I believe that states that have started these programs need to be commended for their ability to bite the bullet and increase the professionalism within the industry. There are still controversies and differences between states and companies in their procedures (i.e., use of ladders, inaccessible areas and some others) but the bottom line is most people leave these sessions with better knowledge of what a good inspection involves and a better understanding of regulatory positions (if presented) on what the inspection should be.

With all of these programs, there are manuals for study and references that can be construed as the association’s "standards" as it outlines the procedures for a WDI inspection.

STINGING INSECTS IN SPRING

Q We are getting a lot of calls for miner (or digger) bees and carpenter bees. Thus far,
2003 seems to be a good year for them. We have read many books regarding treatment but we still have repeat customers and they are not happy about the situation. What can be done?

A Let’s consider something here. First, by the time this question is published in PCT, digger and carpenter bees will not be found anywhere near soil or wood, respectively. They are not gone; they are just not nesting now. As always, we want to discuss the biology of these insects and how it relates to their nesting habits. Both groups of bees emerge in early spring and have a hectic and visible mating season (approximately three to four weeks from the time the males emerge). By the time we get these calls and get to the site, most likely the bees have already dug or bored the nest hole, have provisions and laid at least a few eggs.

With carpenter bees the treatment must include treating the nest itself. You have to break the cycle and deter (kill) any bees that may be emerging from pupation. Residuals and dusts are probably the best treatment; just spraying the surface may kill females and prevent a large hatch. After a few days or weeks, come back and seal the holes and treat again with a surface residual. Here is another suggestion. If the bees’ nest holes are not treated then you should come back in the fall when the temperatures start falling at night. Treat those holes at that time because carpenter bees are known to enter these holes during this period and then overwinter. In the spring, these accounts should be inspected the first time you see a carpenter bee buzzing around. Earmark them for a service letter or call in the spring.

Digger bees (and I do not include cicada killers here) are a different story. They are solitary bees, like carpenter bees, and we realistically cannot treat every hole they may have drilled. We have usually relied on surface sprays or maybe granular applications to lawns to kill such bees. This will work on some of the bees (probably mostly males), but the females may not contact this material enough to kill them or the laid eggs may not be affected. Next year, the emerged bees from this year will be back to reinfest. Again these accounts should be earmarked for at least an inspection when the days start warming up. Early application with residual encapsulated and wettable powder products will probably give some relief in the spring.

Unfortunately, we do not study these insects enough but most treatment techniques seem to be common sense. Remind your sales and technicians that next year you could be servicing the same houses and lawns.

The author is president of George Rambo Consulting Services, Central, S.C. Fax questions to him at 864/654-2447 or via e-mail at grambo@pctonline.com.