PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS: Answers To Your Tough Pest Questions

POST-TREATMENT SWARMERS

Q. How do I explain post-treatment termite swarmers to a customer?

A. Termite control can become really complicated when we give out information that is technically true but perhaps misleading. Assuring the homeowner that swarmers are nothing to worry about because “they don’t eat wood” may be a quick way out of a sticky situation, but it does not resolve the problem when the homeowner finds damage or even live termites in the same area. Termites are termites to the customer and we have spent a lot of time convincing consumers that it is bad to have them around a house. And don’t forget that the first call that prompted the treatment may have been because of a swarm.

Saying that swarmers do not eat wood is technically correct, but your next words should be, “They are an indication of possible activity and I will be over to look at it as soon as possible.” Alleviate fears and respond positively to your customers’ concerns.

Often, a swarm will occur after a treatment, even if the treatment is at a time of the year when termites do not usually swarm. This is often referred to as a “post-treatment swarm” and should be indicated to a homeowner during the sale, especially if there is a lot of damage or activity seen in the structure. Post-treatment swarms usually become retreats and may not need any attention if the fact is communicated up front. I would not, however, consider a post-treatment swarm “a swarm” six to nine months after treatment. You better check records and investigate a possible continuing infestation.

What if there is swarming while baiting (termites are feeding on the baits)? The answer here is tough sometimes, especially after you may have told the customer that once the termites fed on the baits they would be “eliminated” (the magic word). Remember to look at when and where the first hit occurred and when baits were introduced into that feeding colony. Swarmers already may have been produced in the colony prior to the feeding activity and they will probably swarm, perhaps even after feeding has stopped.

The swarm could be from another “colony” of termites. This could be more difficult. Again, you have to look at the time line for the baiting and location of hits in relation to the swarm area.

The author is president of George Rambo Consulting Services, Herndon, Va. Fax questions to him at 703/709-9637 or via e-mail at grambo@pctonline.com.