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Posts Tagged ‘Louisiana Termite Control’

How Area-Wide Termite Control Works

In certain areas, termite infestations are so large, that even if you eliminate one colony from your property, a neighboring one will soon take its place. So the question is – can you completely eliminate termites from an area?

A research project started in 1998 looked at the population dynamics of subterranean termites, particularly of how termites behave when bait treatments are used. It is currently the largest and longest research project involving this termite species, and so far, there are five completed research phases. Phase V started in 2010 and it lasted until 2015, and the main focus of this phase was how baits affect area-wide termite control.

During Phase IV of the project, researchers demonstrated that if termites are left to their own devices, they will spread into nearby termite-free zones. So can you stop this spread from occurring? Before the year 2010, pest control specialists would monitor baiting systems either electronically or manually, and this protocol worked quite well… until they had to control termite populations in a large area. Monitoring baiting systems is a labor intensive process when you have hundreds of stations to examine.

In 2010, Recruit HD, a new type of bait became available on the market. An older study had shown that its active ingredients would remain active for up to five years. Such a bait would remove the need for monitoring, and it would prevent the disturbance that would occur by constantly checking the bait. This made it ideal for area-wide termite control.

Researchers began a new phase of their long-term study to see if this new bait was effective. What they found was that the bait managed to eliminate all termite activity for five months, which has been the longest streak since monitoring of the treated area began in 1998. It’s also worth noting that large enough colonies can have a foraging distance of up to 300 feet, and since there was no trace of infection within the treated area, it’s fair to assume that all termite colonies have been eliminated in a 300 feet radius extending from the treated area.

However, once there were signs of re-infestation, the stations were re-baited, and the area became termite free again for another 12 months. So as we can see, termite control methods are rapidly improving as time goes by, and efficiency is constantly improving while the effort and the costs of eliminating an infestation are lowered. If you are interested in the types of treatments that can be used for your infestation, or if you would like to set up a pest control appointment, contact us today.

Are Formosan Subterranean Termites Still Advancing Further North In Louisiana?

Termites are easily the most economically costly structural pests in the world, and according to the US Department of Agriculture, several species of subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites inflict up to seven billion dollars worth of property damage annually in the United States alone. A 2002 study found that when the costs of both control services and damage repairs are taken into account, the annual economic impact of termite pests likely reaches 11 billion dollars in the US. The vast majority of this money is spent controlling and repairing damage inflicted by subterranean termite pests, as the habitat range of both drywood and dampwood termite pest species is restricted to the far western and southernmost states. The native eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) is the most widespread, and therefore, the most destructive termite pest in the US. In Louisiana, however, this species has been largely replaced by the tremendously destructive and invasive Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus).

illustration termite nest at wooden black wall, burrow nest termite and wood decay, texture wood with nest termite or white ant, background damaged white wooden eaten by termite or white ants

Along with the closely related Asian subterranean termite (C. gestroi), the Formosan subterranean termite (FST) is the most destructive and economically damaging termite pest species in the world. According to a recent study, the global economic impact of annual FST activity stands at 30.2 billion dollars, and half of this figure can be attributed solely to control and damage repair costs in the US. Most of this destruction occurs in New Orleans, specifically the French Quarter where old pre-code buildings of historical significance are especially vulnerable to extensive FST infestations. Due to the FST’s tropical origin, this species is unable to avance northward beyond the southernmost Gulf Coast states, as well as southern California and North and South Carolina where the humidity and short and mild winters allow these pests to thrive.

Despite their limited habitat range, property damage resulting from FST infestations accounts for a significant portion of the total economic cost of annual termite damage in the US. According to decade old data, the annual cost of FST damage repairs in the most affected state, Louisiana, comes to about 500 million dollars annually, 300 million of which occurs in New Orleans. Despite the 15 year long multi-million dollar federal- and state-led effort to halt the continued spread of FST in Louisiana, the pests are clearly advancing further north in the state. By the turn of the millenium, FSTs had not advanced beyond the southernmost Louisiana parishes, but by 2006, FST infestations were found in homes as far north as St. Landry, and Evangeline. Today, experts consider homes in every area of Louisiana to be at risk of sustaining damage inflicted by FST pests.

Is your home currently protected from termite attacks?

A Popular Beach Facility Will Be Demolished Due To A Widespread Termite Infestation

A Popular Beach Facility Will Be Demolished Due To A Widespread Termite InfestationFormosan Termites

For several months officials with the state of Florida as well as the National Park Service have been focusing on how to handle a large scale termite infestation in a popular pavilion that is located on a stretch of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Gulf Islands National Seashore (GINS) is an area of federally protected land along Florida’s coast. This area contains Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, and it is one of the most visited of all tourist destinations within Florida. Several different surveys have named the GINS the best beach in the state of Florida, and even the best beach on the east coast. Due to the popularity of the federally protected beach, officials have been reluctant to tear down a termite-infested Pavilion located on the beach. Sadly, officials recently decided that the Star Pavilion must be demolished due to the widespread termite infestation.

Some people may find it hard to believe that termites can cause serious infestations in structures that are located on beaches. However, the Gulf Islands National Seashore is unique for the diversity of marine and terrestrial lifeforms that inhabit the region. The seashore is federally protected in order to preserve this diversity. Unfortunately, aggressive termite species also make up a part of the seashore’s diverse animal life.

The Star Pavilion has been closed to the public for the past several months due to structural problems caused by termites. During this time, the National Park Service explored various solutions to the termite problem facing the pavilion, but it has recently been decided that demolition is the best option. Despite the popularity of the Star Pavilion, there still exists two larger pavilions nearby. Also, repairing the Star Pavilion would ultimately be “cost prohibitive”. Once the pavilion is removed, a parking lot will take its place. The Star pavilion was constructed in 2006 after hurricanes destroyed the previous pavilion.

Did you know that termites commonly infest structures that are located on beaches?

 

 

 

 

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