Termites!

[Tim Akers]

Does anybody have an idea how to get rid of them?

Here in South Florida we put a tent over our house every few years. The gas kills them but there is no way to stop them from coming back. I have them on the boat as evidenced by familiar droppings. Unlike a house, a boat can be made airtight relatively easy. If I can get my hands on an effective gas, the solution should be pretty simple. Any ideas?

Tim Akers
Night Wind, CD28 67



tcakers@bellsouth.net

[Gary L.]

Does anybody have an idea how to get rid of them?

Here in South Florida we put a tent over our house every few years. The gas kills them but there is no way to stop them from coming back. I have them on the boat as evidenced by familiar droppings. Unlike a house, a boat can be made airtight relatively easy. If I can get my hands on an effective gas, the solution should be pretty simple. Any ideas?

Tim Akers
Night Wind, CD28 67

Tim,

You might check the local Home Depot, etc. they have gas bombs (spray cannisters that lock open). Just remember to ventilate thoroughly after use. Additionally, if you are located at a marina, let them know, you may have to move your boat to do this. Most sprays that can kill bugs, contains deet. Deet in heavy concentrations can have an adverse affect on humans.

Is it me or am I seeing more posts regarding insects? The worst I ever had was the "no-see-ums", for that I used spiders, then gassed the hell out the spiders, and used my worthless teenage boys clean them all up (the boys don't like sailing - too boring!) Just kidding.

Hope this helps,

Gary Lapine
Red Witch III
CD30C, #339



dory26@attbi.com

[Neil Gordon]

I thought termites were ground dwellers that just came up to munch on the wood but still kept their nests in the soil. I don't see how they could do that on a boat. That doesn't suggest that you don't have critters you need to get rid of, though.

I like the idea of bringing in a pet spider or two. (It's common practice in New York apartments, by the way, to let the spiders be, as they're lots better to live with than the roaches that get caught in their webs.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[John R.]

Are you sure you aren't dealing with Carpenter Ants? Real common here in Florida and they can get into a boat easily, they like walking docklines. I've seen plenty of damage on boats from carpenter ants. For example I remember sounding bulkheads in a Pearson once and the hammer went right through the plywood just above the glass taping, the bulkhead was hollow, the plywood skin looked okay but there was nothing left of the inside of it for a big portion of the bulkhead. They are a real problem down here so be careful if you have a boat here. Fumigate with Raid's "Fumigators", the ones in the blue can that you invert and set in a plastic cup with about 1/4" of water in the cup. They work great! Make certain you cover anything that can tarnish like brass knobs, lamps, barometers, clocks, etc. Remove food items and cover dishes etc,. Close or seal all vents and seal the companionway and open all doors and remove bilge boards etc., down below. Put a garbage bag under the fumigator when you start it so it doesn't damage the area it is sitting on by spattering.

These things work really well and are far better than those typical smoke bug bombs.

Does anybody have an idea how to get rid of them?

Here in South Florida we put a tent over our house every few years. The gas kills them but there is no way to stop them from coming back. I have them on the boat as evidenced by familiar droppings. Unlike a house, a boat can be made airtight relatively easy. If I can get my hands on an effective gas, the solution should be pretty simple. Any ideas?

Tim Akers
Night Wind, CD28 67

[Fred G.]

Does anybody have an idea how to get rid of them?

Here in South Florida we put a tent over our house every few years. The gas kills them but there is no way to stop them from coming back. I have them on the boat as evidenced by familiar droppings. Unlike a house, a boat can be made airtight relatively easy. If I can get my hands on an effective gas, the solution should be pretty simple. Any ideas?

Tim Akers
Night Wind, CD28 67

Hi Tim, What you are experiencing is a problem w/drywood termites. Unlike subterranean termites which nest in the ground, drywood termites require no ground contact. Consequently, soil treatments and/or ground baiting systems are totally ineffective against the drywood termites. The only proven method of control is fumigation. The gases used are highly toxic and require a certified/licensed fumigator to provide treatment. Unfortunately, this method of treatment eliminates the current infestation only and leaves nothing behind to prevent/mitigate future infestations. So,you must contract w/a professional licensed/certified applicator to eliminate your problem. Fred G. (Entomologist)



entomoFred@worldnet.att.net

[Bill]

Does anybody have an idea how to get rid of them?

Here in South Florida we put a tent over our house every few years. The gas kills them but there is no way to stop them from coming back. I have them on the boat as evidenced by familiar droppings. Unlike a house, a boat can be made airtight relatively easy. If I can get my hands on an effective gas, the solution should be pretty simple. Any ideas?

Tim Akers
Night Wind, CD28 67

Hi Tim...still thanking you for the MD2B original manual...now, about those termites---move to Maine and I can guarantee you freedom!



meislandbill@yahoo.com

[Bill]

Does anybody have an idea how to get rid of them?

Here in South Florida we put a tent over our house every few years. The gas kills them but there is no way to stop them from coming back. I have them on the boat as evidenced by familiar droppings. Unlike a house, a boat can be made airtight relatively easy. If I can get my hands on an effective gas, the solution should be pretty simple. Any ideas?

Tim Akers
Night Wind, CD28 67

Hi Tim...still thanking you for the MD2B original manual...now, about those termites---move to Maine and I can guarantee you freedom!



meislandbill@yahoo.com

[Don Sargeant]

[Tim Akers]

Thanks John,

I will do what you suggest. I am quite certain that they are drywood termites as the droppings look the same as those in my attic which have been professionally identified and addressed. I have not seen any carpenter ants but those bombs are cheap insurance!

Are you sure you aren't dealing with Carpenter Ants? Real common here in Florida and they can get into a boat easily, they like walking docklines. I've seen plenty of damage on boats from carpenter ants. For example I remember sounding bulkheads in a Pearson once and the hammer went right through the plywood just above the glass taping, the bulkhead was hollow, the plywood skin looked okay but there was nothing left of the inside of it for a big portion of the bulkhead. They are a real problem down here so be careful if you have a boat here. Fumigate with Raid's "Fumigators", the ones in the blue can that you invert and set in a plastic cup with about 1/4" of water in the cup. They work great! Make certain you cover anything that can tarnish like brass knobs, lamps, barometers, clocks, etc. Remove food items and cover dishes etc,. Close or seal all vents and seal the companionway and open all doors and remove bilge boards etc., down below. Put a garbage bag under the fumigator when you start it so it doesn't damage the area it is sitting on by spattering.

These things work really well and are far better than those typical smoke bug bombs.

Does anybody have an idea how to get rid of them?

Here in South Florida we put a tent over our house every few years. The gas kills them but there is no way to stop them from coming back. I have them on the boat as evidenced by familiar droppings. Unlike a house, a boat can be made airtight relatively easy. If I can get my hands on an effective gas, the solution should be pretty simple. Any ideas?

Tim Akers
Night Wind, CD28 67

tcakers@bellsouth.net

[Tim Akers]

I dont have any spiders on the boat. If I did, I wouldnt be able to get my wife out on the boat at all. There isnt much wood on the boat that is structural, at least that I am aware of. So I guess I can live with the termite turds, at least my wife can!

There used to be an older gentleman here who specialized in bombing boats. He used the appropriate gas and recognized how easy it is to make a boat air tight. He doesnt seem to be around any more. The normal termite companies want to treat it as a house and put a tent over the mast and entire boat. These are not the kind of guys that I want climbing around my boat either! I was hoping that someone knew of a source of gas or of this gentleman.

Thank you all for the help.

Tim Akers

Night Wind, CD28 67

Tim,

You might check the local Home Depot, etc. they have gas bombs (spray cannisters that lock open). Just remember to ventilate thoroughly after use. Additionally, if you are located at a marina, let them know, you may have to move your boat to do this. Most sprays that can kill bugs, contains deet. Deet in heavy concentrations can have an adverse affect on humans.

Is it me or am I seeing more posts regarding insects? The worst I ever had was the "no-see-ums", for that I used spiders, then gassed the hell out the spiders, and used my worthless teenage boys clean them all up (the boys don't like sailing - too boring!) Just kidding.

Hope this helps,

Gary Lapine
Red Witch III
CD30C, #339

tcakers@bellsouth.net

[Boyd]

Hi Tom...

There may be options less severe than nuclear war...tenting is only done if the infestation is not localized enough to spot treat.

Over the last 20 years of practicing architecture in South Florida I have talked a lot to different bug guys about the seemingly universal termite problem. Several bits of information may apply to your situation.

Seems that typical drywood termites have to be in the wood for about 5 years before they start to push the droppings out of their tunnels. They move slowly and dont do much damage unless they are the dreaded Formosa type. These were introducted into the Hollywood/Halandale area allegedly from a yacht. These guys will move fast and if you got them dont wait to take action. They are also reportedly resistant to many pesticides.

The drywood bugs swarm every so often and they got in your boat thru an opening during the swarming season. This is how they establish new colonies. They typically will not penetrate a good paint coating. The usually need to contact raw wood. They will not usually mess with teak its too oily for them. They are likely living in untreated plywood panels usually.

We had drywood termites in some cabinet work in our building. We were expecting to be tented but the exterminator came in and sprayed something on the cabinets and killed the bugs. The cabinets were only about 2 years old and the bugs were in the plywood when they were made.

I suggest you speak with several pro exterminators soliciting their opinions before you decide what to do. I dont think diy treatments are a good idea especially if you got the Formosa type.

The reason some houses seem to get these repeatedly is because the treatments were not done effectivly the first time. A couple of the major termite companies were faking the treatments and got caught.

If the house is not properly maintained (screen vents in good order and wood well painted). Then the bugs will come back at the next swarm. Also you could have a house in the neighborhood which has a colony which swarms each year.

Boyd
s/v Tern
CD 30 MkII
Fort Lauderdale, Fla

Does anybody have an idea how to get rid of them?

Here in South Florida we put a tent over our house every few years. The gas kills them but there is no way to stop them from coming back. I have them on the boat as evidenced by familiar droppings. Unlike a house, a boat can be made airtight relatively easy. If I can get my hands on an effective gas, the solution should be pretty simple. Any ideas?

Tim Akers
Night Wind, CD28 67

Boyd@wbta.cc

[Gary L.]

I dont have any spiders on the boat. If I did, I wouldnt be able to get my wife out on the boat at all. There isnt much wood on the boat that is structural, at least that I am aware of. So I guess I can live with the termite turds, at least my wife can!

There used to be an older gentleman here who specialized in bombing boats. He used the appropriate gas and recognized how easy it is to make a boat air tight. He doesnt seem to be around any more. The normal termite companies want to treat it as a house and put a tent over the mast and entire boat. These are not the kind of guys that I want climbing around my boat either! I was hoping that someone knew of a source of gas or of this gentleman.

Thank you all for the help.

Tim Akers

Night Wind, CD28 67

Tim,

Tim,

If you do indeed have termites or carpenter ants or whatever, regardless of how much wood there is, the situation is definitely intolerable. It doesn't cost you anything to speak to various experts be it at Home Depot, or Joe's Pest Control. Find out what they use, and if it can be purchased on open market.

You will won't need to make your boat completely air tight, just shut it up. The purpose is to fumigate the boat, and you want to have the expended gases to dissipate afterwards. If you end up using a bomb, then you will have to ventilate the boat afterwards prior to entering it. Toxic fumes in enclosed spaces can kill or cause serious injury.

Myself, if I was much younger, I would just shut up the boat (with me inside) and burn as much cannibis as I could. That would daze the little suckers (myself included).

Hope this helps.

Gary Lapine
Red Witch III
CD30C, #339



dory26@attbi.com