To: mhart@GNOME.CS.CMU.EDU
cc: bovik@CS.CMU.EDU
Reply-to: rollins+@PROOF.ERGO.CS.CMU.EDU
Subject: Treating Termites Yourself
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 92 10:11:05 EST
Message-ID: <457.701104265@VISTA.VENARI.CS.CMU.EDU>
From: Gene_Rollins@VISTA.VENARI.CS.CMU.EDU


I treated termites myself with great success.  I had a big infestation in my
detached gargage. I bought termite insecticide at Builder's Square.  It comes
concentrated and you mix it with water.  It was $20 for about 16oz which made
a couple of gallons mixed.

Termites live underground and only come out to eat.  They hibernate in the
winter.  I discovered them late in the fall.  I let them hibernate and as soon
as I saw them come out for the spring I hit them with the insecticide.  This
was early last spring.  I saw no trace of them the entire summer and fall.  I
will look for them again in the spring, but I don't expect them to be back.

The directions say to dig a trench and pour the insecticide into it.  But, my
termites were coming thru big cracks in the concrete floor of the garage.  So,
I just poured it thru the cracks.

Save your receipt.  If you sell your house, and the termite inspector sees
termite damage to wood, even if the termites are not present, they will
recommend treatment, and your sales agreement will probably force you to pay
for it.  You will need your receipt as evidence that you did the treatment
already. If you do the treatment yourself, the safest thing to do would be
to replace the damaged wood, or hide the damage by filling and painting.

When I first discovered the termites I called Fort Pitt Exterminators.  They
came over and said, yes, you have termites here, but since this is so far from
your house you might as well treat it yourself, rather than pay us.

.......gene