Apartment Owners Beware!
Upon the wings of Mother Nature’s tropical climate, rides the swarming invaders, “Termites!”
In huge gatherings, they escape the confines of their underground nests (as in the case of the subterranean termites). The queen termite initiates this activity, when the colony can no longer maintain itself, with the large numbers it supports. Thus, new infestations must be created, and the ominous spread of these destructive villains commences.
No over the counter elixir or concoctions will eliminate the onslaught. Professional help is needed to identify the species, and make the proper diagnosis. In some cases, your attempt to treat activity can worsen the situation by driving the termites deeper into their channels or concealing the necessary evidence that a trained professional looks for.
You may have Drywood termites, Subterranean termites, or maybe both! In this case you will require completely different procedures of control.
As a property owner, insuring the structural integrity of “your most valuable asset” should be your priority. Once decline in maintenance sets in, I have often witnessed the domino effect that soon occurs.
Excessive moisture (i.e. plumbing leaks, roof leaks or cracks that may lure in moisture) poses a potential threat. Moisture is the number one cause of the onset of dry-rot, fungus damage and termite infestation. The odds are against you, unless you take evasive action! Fight back with knowledge. Know your enemy and embrace your allies. Your professional termite inspector has an arsenal of weapons that can effectively deter the unwanted pests.
If you have access to a computer you should brows through the web to learn about the options of treatment methods and companies available to you. Review your options and once you feel well informed, only then should you choose a program best suited to your needs. If your building has gone without a thorough treatment for many years, you may need a tent fumigation. If there has been a history of previous treats then you’ll have a greater chance of choosing a local treatment (which is usually less costly and less invasive). Your first course of action would be, to have a licensed inspector thoroughly inspect your structure. An experienced inspector is worth their weight in gold because they’re licensed to not only identify termite problems, but all other wood destroying pests, i.e. carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood boring beetles, to mention a few. They’re also licensed to identify structural defects that may be easily corrected, if diagnosed in their earliest stages, saving you thousand of dollars in future repairs. Your termite company should be knowledgeable in carpentry, and preferably offer repair work as one of their specialties. This is advantageous because they can combine the necessary treatments in conjunction with the necessary repairs (possibly treating the new wood before installation). New wood sometimes becomes pre-infested, therefore you wouldn’t want to introduce more problems into your home.
A successful treatment lies in the hands of a knowledgeable company; one who can offer the consumer as many options as possible (as long as these options are valid and proven.)
Once your on the path to eradicating your termite problems, make regular inspections a common practice. Annual check-ups can reveal telltale signs that can be corrected with little or no inconvenience to you and your tenants, at a nominal cost. Build a long term relationship with the termite company of your choice and keep in communication with them on a regular basis. Remember, they are the professionals in the field and you’
About the author
Gina Hernandez is the C.E.O. of A Black Flag Inc. For response to your questions or to obtain any literature please call, (800) 546-2545. You can also visit us on the Web at WWW.A-BLACKFLAG.COM.
