Problems & Solutions

Answers to your toughest pest questions

Starting from the bottom up, part 3

Q: Are the products and services our industry already offers for termite control considered "green?"

A: Last month in this space I discussed some of the parameters that we may need to consider in the future for the "green" termite market. More inspection and monitoring, more customer interaction and more possible add-ons are all things the pest management industry needs to consider.

Companies in our industry actually started additional monitoring some time ago. There are lots of companies that offer termite monitoring — i.e., placing stations of different varieties around structures — with their general pest control contracts. The number and type of stations varies with various companies’ approaches, but I would think if you really want to find termites, you would increase the number of monitors. If the time factor is an issue, then there are electronic monitors available and there are those that "indicate" when they are invaded. In these cases you do not have to open every station or pull it out of the ground. There are many options.

What happens after the station is "invaded" is of interest in regards to a "green" approach. What is available to perform "green" termite control? In my mind, the answer is everything we have now. Most pest management professionals would say baits and borates qualify as green. But if we decide that green is low-impact/low-risk then really all of the materials available today fit in. We make targeted applications, use low dosages of products and we can even devise a method to spot treat or partially treat a structure and get the desired results.

Of course none of this should happen without full knowledge of the homeowner. More discussion with them about the pest management approach would be necessary and contracts may have to be altered or amended. Be sure you provide them with a document that explains all of the available options, including the one they selected. Customer communication is an integral part of "going green."

Another issue is the customer’s responsibilities. This comes via communication after the inspection. Whether the inspection is an annual one or for a new customer, conditions that may exist that encumber or inhibit the inspection should be delineated to the customer. As structures age under a warranty, things change, either by Mother Nature’s hand or the customer’s hand, and there could be consequences. Issues come up, additions are put on, remodeling is done — the end result is moisture becomes a problem. You know what I am talking about here, yet in many situations I do not see the communication to the homeowner as to how this affects their structure’s vulnerability to infestation by termites (or possibly other pests).

This leads to the next topic, which relates to add-on services. One area the industry is slowly embracing is a more active role in controlling moisture in crawlspaces, which also includes paying more attention to moisture in the structure in general. In those areas of the country where Formosan termites are found, moisture is a BIG issue. Pest management professionals are starting to look at past problems with this pest and some of the newer technology that enables them to discover moisture (and possibly termite problems).

The crawlspace moisture/pest situation also is getting attention. I have seen more displays and sessions at industry meetings on crawlspace sealing, ventilation and dehumidifying. This type of service does not fall into the area of mold control, but a by-product of these efforts will be reduced moisture, ergo reduced rot and mold problems. This is a new area for many of our industry’s companies, so education and training will be important.

As far as termites are concerned, sealing crawlspaces or dehumidifying them may not actually affect termite invasions. Termite inspections will still be required, as will paying attention to any moisture problems that may arise since the exterior is still vulnerable to attack. But another side of this add-on is the control of the humidity in the crawlspace. This reduces other insect and arthropod problems (and an added benefit is energy savings).

Insects, as you know, need certain moisture and/or humidity requirements to do well in an environment. The crawlspace can be one of the best environments for them. Pests like millipedes, sow bugs, spiders and ants can become a problem (and if the crawlspace is left open, add to this list four-legged pests such as raccoons, skunks, etc., which can gain entrance and bring with them other issues).

Overall, the crawlspace work would reduce pest pressure, therefore reducing the need to treat in that area or other areas inside the structure. The result — reduced chemical applications and additional inspections — become more important than spraying. Therefore the "green" effect should be obvious.

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