HeyBub wrote:
DebbieOney wrote:
Hi,
Termites have been found in my friend's third floor place. She wants
to use something that is non-toxic. Any recommendations? And, what
type of termites would be on a third floor? I thought they were only
on ground floor.

Thanks in advance.

They might be on the third floor because they ate everything on the first
and second.

Termicides are (usually) used outside so toxicity is almost irrelevant.
Further, what's toxic to termites is harmless to humans.

What she wants is Termidor (or similar). Application is done by digging a 6"
trench around the foundation and pouring in the material. You can treat her
house for about $300-$500.



Trenches work for subterranean termites, AFAIK. Around my area in
Florida, dry-wood termites predominate and tenting is the most common
(only?) treatment used, although there are plenty of signs of sub's
around, too. Last I heard, baits worked for subterranean only. Tenting
uses very toxic stuff, and the blue tarps are all over the place this
time of year.

A careful inspection by the homeowner can reveal as much as the typical
pro inspection, but one has to know what to look for - hollow sounding
wood around doors and windows, tiny holes that might have dark granular
stuff spilled out, shed wings around any kind of entry point (wiring and
plumbing openings, gaps in siding, foundation wood close to the soil,
blistered appearance of painted walls or wood, esp. around doors and
windows. Termites can eat the paper coating of wallboard without
penetrating the painted surface. When wood is attacked, bare wood
sometimes had a slightly more rippled appearance than intact wood, and
poking around with an awl will open up termite tunnels. I'd get at
least two inspections by reputable contractors, Also can sometimes get
ID and best treatment method from local extension service - the better
ones have data on predominant strains of termies.