Tips from the Termite guy: What is DE

What is DE? Is it safe? I saw it on a webpage advertising "green pest control"  

Diotomaceous Earth
A quick essay on DE. It is the "skeletons" of microscopic aquatic organisms (diatoms) that died over millions of years, with their mineral skeletons sinking to the bottom of the aquatic environment and building up huge deposits that now can be mined. There are both freshwater and salt water DE, and freshwater DE is much lower in respiratory hazard due to lower levels of crystalline silica that can be inhaled, and which do the damage to our lungs. MotherEarth Dust, for example, is freshwater DE. In addition, no one should ever use swimming pool filter DE, as this has been treated and offers a much higher respiratory hazard. DE for pool filters also is not labeled for pest control uses, and it is imperative that pest management professionals stick to what is labeled for our industry.
DE can kill all insects and other arthropods, so it is just as deadly to beneficial insects as it is to "pests". DE kills by cutting into the protective coatings on the exoskeleton, and absorbing moisture and allowing the insect's internal fluids to escape. Arthropods die by desiccation and dehydration. One of the uses of DE in pest management is to apply it directly to unprocessed foods that are in storage, such as grains in bins or silos. One study in Canada showed up to a 95% drop in the number of pest insects in stored barley.
One should remain cautious and careful as you apply DE dust, and keep it confined within the voids where the pest insects will be. Regardless of its low oral toxicity, as in everything, it is not non-toxic. Toxicity is always related to dose or exposure.  DE works by dessication, that is, it cuts the soft appendages between the exoskelleton and dehydrates the pest.  That same principal can work on the treaters pulmonary system, as well. without proper use or protection.  DE may not be "toxic" but improper exposure can do serious damage if not used correctly.  DE should be treated as any pesticide. Too strong of a comfort level with any pesticide can lead to excessive use. We can read the same kinds of statements about boric acid, on websites that are pushing this material as an alternative to "toxic" pesticides, but the educated person recognizes that boric acid can be a dangerous material if ingested. DE definitely is not harmless, as there could be that respiratory hazard or skin irritation, but it is a wonderful choice for pest management with a nice profile of low toxicity and hazard.
Since it is a mineral it does not degrade the way synthetic molecules do, and in a dry void should be active and effective for many years.

Tips from the Termite guy:

water damage to particle board cabinets  (Members Only) (edit/delete)

Tips from the Termite guy:

Bill Mashek

www.northwesttermite.com

I have fairly new kitchen cabinets but they are mostly made out of cheap particle board.  The dishwasher leaked water under the kitchen cabinet now it is swollen and damaged.  I am also getting a "musty" odor under the sink.   What can I do?

The most important determining factor for kitchen cabinet quality will be the material.  Kitchen cabinets are most commonly built using plywood (A), MDF (B), or particle board (C). A plywood cabinet will almost always be of the highest quality when compared to MDF (medium density fiberboard) or particle board.  It is very rare to find solid wood cabinets, and if you do find them they are not as good as they sound, they warp easily and crack easily.  MDF or particle board cabinets can also warp easily but they absorb moisture very easily which results in swelling and odor absorption. Another important determining factor in selecting a good cabinet will be the finish. Any wood cabinet will usually have a veneer covering that is used to make the cabinet appear to be made of solid wood.

Your floor of you kitchen cabinet can be cut out and a new piece of ¼” hardwood plywood installed over the old base.  Calk seal and waterproof. A contractor will charge you about $250 to $300 for this repair.

If you have particle board cabinets your best option is prevention.  First, caulk all the joints with an acrylic latex caulk.  For a professional job, put down a thin bead at all seams.  Follow this by smoothing out the caulk with a damp sponge.  Now prime the inside of the cabinet and paint with a good quality latex paint.  It may take up part of a Saturday afternoon but this small amount of preventative maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in repair or replacement of your cabinets

 

Tips from the Termite guy: When do I need to get a pest report?

When do I need to get a pest report?  

Tips from the Termite Guy
Bill Mashek
www.northwesttermite.com

1. Q. UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS IS A
PEST CONTROL INSPECTION REPORT
REQUIRED?



A. According to the Structural Pest Control Board, State of California regulates
structural pest control firms, it does not
require a Wood Destroying Pests and
Organisms Inspection Report prior to the
sale of property. However, prior to lending
money on a property, a financial institution
usually requires an inspection report to
ensure that the building is structurally
sound. This requirement protects its investment
and provides the home buyer with an
inexpensive safeguard against the cost of
structural pest control repair and treatment.
A buyer is advised to arrange for a
structural pest control inspection regardless
of the condition of the home at the time of
sale. The cost of an inspection is minimal
compared to the cost of repairing undetected
pest damage that could cost thousands
of dollars.

 

 

Mold: Facts and Legal Issues

by Bill Mashek
Molds are non-wood destroying Fungi, neither plant nor animal.
Requirements for mold growth are same as decay: spores (found everywhere) excessive moisture, nutrients (any carbon-based material including wood sheet rock-paper, wall paper, vinyl siding, and carpets) and oxygen.
If excessive moisture conditions or wood decay fungi is found in the structure, it is highly likely there may be a mold problem as well. This is especially true in a roof, window or plumbing leak, inadequate ventilation and faulty grade conditions. Always correct source of moisture, in addition you may want to check for mold infection. Opening walls where mold is suspect can risk disturbing mold. Only a mycologist (with a microscope) can accurately identify one mold from another. If a CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) tests for mold and stachybotrys is found follow remediation steps as outlined by USEPA guidelines and CIH instructions; especially with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and containment.
There are over 100,000 species of mold compromising 25 % of the Earth's biomass.
Some molds in buildings are believed to cause adverse health affects: stachybotrys (black mold).
Most reputable health professionals believe that inhalation of mold-in-buildings is over rated as a cause of toxic injury. Toxic effects of mold are at best ambiguous except if ingested (eating moldy bread or potatoes). Ingestion is the only documented route that can lead to toxic injury. However, extremely high exposures (billions of mold spores per cubic meter of air) in occupational settings have produced evidence of injury (silo unloaders lung). Diagnoses of mold injuries are difficult. There is no generally recognized pattern of injuries or impairments exclusively associated with mold (in contrast to asbestos, e.g. mesothelioma)
Some common molds include: stachybotrys (black), aspergillus, penicillium, alternaria.
Awareness of mold in building blossomed in 1990's as well as litigation. As more science is involved in the court systems, most large settlements have been reduced or defeated in appeals. I.e. Ballard v Fire Insurance Exchange (Texas 2001) original settlement 32 million, appeals court reduced award to 4 million because of bad faith of the insurance company. Consumers must be aware of the scare tactics used by the "mold opportunists". If some one makes a mold claim they will have difficult time finding homeowners insurance. Most insurance companies are not covering mold remediation or they limit the coverage to a specific dollar amount
Legal aspects: Arthur Cook, Attorney at law, Hill Farrer &Burrill LLP (www.hillfarrer.com) Science: Pest Control Operations, Perdue University. Wayne Wilcox, U.C Berkeley, Forest Products Lab. et al

Further Information:

www.abih.org
www.aiha.org
www.epa.gov/iaq
www.cdc.gov/niosh
www.nibs.org
www.aspergillus.man.ac.uk

 

What to Expect on Your Termite Inspection

  

What you can expect during your Termite Inspection:

A Northwest Termite and Pest Control inspection begins outside, where we look for active infestations of wood destroying organisms and conducive conditions like leaky gutters and plants or wood piles right next to the house. Decks, fences and other wood structures attached to the house without flashing also can be problem areas.
Inside, we check for loose toilets and other plumbing leaks that can cause dry rot or attract termites. We pull back carpets to detect damage near sliding glass doors leading to decks. We look for water stains on the ceiling, excessive weathering of wood, and condensation around windows. If there is a tile shower, we will run the water for 10 minutes, then look under the house for leaks. While under the house, we also look for dry rot and excessive moisture.
Inspectors also look for telltale termite signs such as mud tubes along the foundation or piles of woody-looking fecal pellets. They also look for piles of discarded wings, a sign that the termites have been through the swarming stage, when the kings and queens fly from their old colonies to start new ones.
People may even notice the insects fluttering around in the fall when the rains start, and again in the spring.
We may also use a pick-and-pry technique to see if wood is sound. Undamaged wood will splinter, damaged wood will break off in chunks.
Finally, we prepare a complete report that details the problems, and then we discuss all of the solutions available to you.

  

Wood-destroying Organisms

Subterranean Termites This species is restricted to the West, ranging from British Columbia to Mexico. These insects are swarmers. They are about 3/8" long including wings. Bodies are dark brown to almost black. Fontanelle (frontal gland pore) is present and they have front wings with two dark, hardened veins in the front portion. The wings are brownish gray with a few barely visible hairs. Their front wing scale is distinctly larger than the hind wing scale. Legs have a slightly darkened tibia and a pale tarsus.

Drywood Termites These insects live in wood which has a relatively low moisture content (12% or less), in the Western United States, Northwestern Mexico, and Florida. They are swarmers 7/16" to 1/2 " long including wings. Their heads and pronotums are orange brown, abdomens are dark brown, and wing membranes and hardened veins are blackened. They have Antenna with 10-11 segments. They are not hairy, their tibia exhibit no spines along their length and they have no pad between their claws.

Dampwood Termites As their name implies, dampwood termites locate their colonies in damp, sometimes decaying wood. Representatives of three termite families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Termopsidae) are included in this distinct habitat group. These termites vary in appearance from family to family. Almost all are larger than the eastern/western, desert subterranean termites with the nymphs being up to 3/4" (20 mm) long and the swarmers up to 1" (25 mm) long, including wings. They occur in the Pacific Coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid Southwest, and Southern Florida.

Anobiid Beetles Anobiids Beetles are the most commonly encountered of the powderpost beetles. They are also called Deathwatch beetles because of a tapping sound they make when mating. Heard in the quiet of the night by people sitting with an ill person, this tapping was believed to indicate that death was near. Adults are from 1/32 to 3/8" long. Their shape is variable but usually elongated and cylindrical. Their color is reddish brown to black, sometimes with lighter areas of pale hairs. Prothorax hoodlike enclosing head. Antennae are not symmetrical, last three segments lengthened and expanded. Larvae are white and C-shaped. Signs of infestation are round holes in wood with piles of powdery waste below.

Wood Decay Fungus Wood Decay fungus (poria incrassata) For a great discussion of this problem, we recommend the following web site. More information on poria incrassata

Carpenter Ants Several species of carpenter ants, Camponotus spp., are capable of damaging wood in buildings and other structures. Carpenter ants cause problems mainly in mountainous areas and in forested rural areas along the central and northern coastlines of California; they may also invade buildings in urban locations.

 

Ants Colony Structure and Behavior

Colony Structure and Behavior

Part of an IPM program is understanding the biology and lifestyle of "pest" you want to control.
Ants are among the most social creatures on Earth. Individuals within a colony are divided into groups with specific duties that benefit the colony as a whole.

Ant colony populations can range into the millions for some species. Their nests can be located almost anywhere – in hidden and protected areas indoors, in soil near foundations, under concrete slabs, in crawl spaces, in structural wood, in the yard or garden, in trees, or in almost any protected location on a property.

Three types of individuals, or castes, live within the colony:

Queens typically are the largest ants in the colony. After selecting a nest site, a queen will begin laying eggs and caring for her brood. The first workers that develop assume brood care, leaving the queen to simply lay eggs. Ant colonies can have single or multiple queens. The number of queens in multiple queen colonies varies by species, ranging from a few queens to nearly half the population in a colony. Depending on the species, queens may live from months to years.

Males serve one purpose: to mate with the queen. Males typically die soon after mating, and are normally alive solely during the colony's reproductive stage.



Workers are sterile, wingless females that form the backbone of the colony. They perform the tasks necessary for the survival and growth of the colony, such as foraging for food, caring for brood, excavating or enlarging the nest.

Depending on the species, workers in a colony can be of all the same size (monomorphic), two sizes (dimorphic) or more than two sizes (polymorphic). Workers divide labor, so some leave the nest to forage while most remain in the nest to tend to other tasks. Homeowners usually see the foraging workers.

Monomorphic ant workers

Dimorphic ant workers

Polymorphic ant workers

How Can I prevent Infestation?????

Homeowners can prevent an ant infestation by taking some simple steps:

• Clean up spilled food and beverages.
• Diligently take out the trash.
• Rinse out jars and containers before placing them in trash cans and recycling bins.
• Seal doors and windows.
• Keep rain gutters clean to prevent moisture leaks inside walls.
• Trim trees and shrubs next to your house to prevent ants from using them as “highways” into your home.

  www.northwesttermite.com.

IPM not a "Buzzword"

 

Integrated Pest Management is not a "Buzzword"

an article from PCT (Pest Control Technician) Magazine, May 1999

by Bill Mashek
Integrated Pest Management is not just an industry "buzzword." It's also not a nontoxic or fraudulent "device" designed to serve as an alternative to conventional pest control. I see IPM as a consumer and industry compromise. There is strong public interest in reducing the presence of pesticides in our environment. People are demanding less exposure to all types of toxicants, not just pesticides. Many pests have developed significant levels of resistance to organophosphates and other commonly used pesticides. There have been many lawsuits directly related to pesticide use and misuse. Many pesticide applicators are at best "spray jockeys" with little knowledge of insects, their behavior or biology.
IPM requires more work, training and commitment of the technician. Inspection skills are as important as product knowledge. Communication with the client is imperative. On sensitive accounts, educating the client on sanitation and organizational skills is important. IPM is a prescriptive approach to pest control versus a one size fits all approach.
IPM combines quality inspections with appropriate use of baiting, monitoring, focused chemical application (not just broadcast spraying), sanitation and exclusion.
Integrated Pest Management is primarily "low-impact pest management" with permanent or longterm reduction in the target pest population. IPM requires an integration of several approaches to managing pest problems as compared to relying on a pesticide to eliminate the problem. This is not a new concept; Many pest control professionals have been using this type of management for years. IPM strategies offer many economic opportunities for the professional. Since more time and education is required for sensitive accounts, substantially more money can be charged for this knowledge. In addition, a better relationship can be developed with the client as a result of this higher level of interaction. Exclusion is a valuable and economically important service. It is true that IPM will require more training and education on the part of the technician. However, it will bring more professionalism to our industry.

Electo-Gun: Appropriate Technology in Drywood Termite Control

 

Appropriate Technology for Drywood Termite Control

Drywood Termite Control

By Bill Mashek
(From IPM Practitioner, February, 1998) This article, written by a California PCO, describes his experiences with least-toxic termite control over the past 15 years in Northern California.
Drywood termites, Incisitermes minor, are an important economic pest in California. They are responsible for millions of dollars worth of damage to homes and business annually. Drywood termites are at best difficult to detect. Their colonies exist deep inside wood, and except during periods when they swarm, or during renovation work to infested areas, they are rarely seen. The best determination of an infestation is finding their hexagonal-shaped fecal pellets, which are about the size of coarse salt (Potter 1997a).
Drywood termite inspections require a highly experienced inspector often with the use of specialized tools. One company uses specially trained dogs to detect infestations. Treatment options include categories of "whole house" or localized "spot treatments." Approximately 72% of drywood treatments are localized (Potter 1997b). There is very little empirical data on the efficacy of varying types of treatments, except for fumigation.
Villa Termiti, a 20 ft by 20 ft (6.1 m by 6.1 m) wood frame structure with stucco exterior and non-functioning plumbing and electrical wires was built at the University of California to test a variety of drywood termite treatments – heat, freezing, microwaves, Electrogun, and fumigation. Natural and artificially infested boards were built into the structure. All methods averaged at least 90% termite mortality (Lewis and Haverty 1996). [For a detailed summary, see Quarles 1996].
Northwest Termite, Inc. is an integrated pest management company. We do our best to use less toxic and still the most effective methods available. However, we have to be pragmatic. There are no true alternatives to fumigation for treating a "whole structure" effectively and economically. Some may argue that heat fumigation is a "whole structure" treatment. Though highly efficacious as a localized treatment, heat has many complications in both preparation and treatment for a whole house. There are cases where we would recommend a fumigation as the best possible treatment. This happens about 10% of the time.

Inspection and Treatment

We at Northwest Termite begin our treatment process with a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the infestation. For treatment, we have invested in a large microwave system and an Electrogun. These methods, combined with drill and injection, are both effective and relatively non-intrusive.
Once we have an idea of the infestation, we can begin our treatment with the Electrogun as a diagnostic tool. This can give us a better understanding of the extent of the infestation. The Electrogun works on the principle of "high voltage penetration." Wood, being a natural dielectric, will create resistance until a void or termite gallery is encountered. There is then a surge of current through this path of least resistance. Under optimum conditions, where the "drill and pin" technique is used, the Electrogun has proved to be 98% effective against drywood termites (see Quarles 1996; Lewis and Haverty 1996). Though sheet rock walls can be "scanned" with moderate efficacy, the Electrogun works best on exposed wood, as in an attic, eaves or subarea.
The microwave process seems to work best over covered walls, excluding thin paneling. The microwave process has been used in the forest products industry for years, but only recently has it been applied to drywood termite treatment. The process works by spinning water molecules, causing heat to be produced by friction. Anything containing water can be heated with microwaves. In treating for termites, wood may only have a moisture content of 4%, whereas termites can contain over 70% water. Consequently, termites die by boiling to death. Microwaves have limitations as well. Minor damage can occur to structures if the operator is inexperienced. Also, it lacks sufficient portability for treating eaves and subareas. Both Electrogun and Microwave should only be used by experienced, trained technicians. As with any tool, its effectiveness is directly related to the experience of the operator. The technicians at Northwest undergo continuous training. We follow all physical treatments with drill and injection of wood with either borates or the live fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Bioblast) If we find live termites in the wood, we inject BioBlast into the galleries. The fungus will remain active up to 30 days. This method is highly effective, but short-lived (Quarles, 1997). On most wood, we inject borates to give long-term residual protection. We always apply topical applications of borate to exposed wood in infested areas for long-term prevention.
Many infestations can be avoided with proper protections. Many of these protections should be part of home maintenance, which includes keeping your home well-sealed and in a water-tight condition. Exposed beams should be protected from the elements. Drywood termites will typically infest the most exposed areas of your home, especially where incipient decay may be present. The idea is to keep your home a place that is not "inviting" to termites. Topical applications of borate offer long-term prevention against many wood-destroying organisms if applied to enclosed areas on unfinished surfaces. Northwest Termite has a pretreatment program for people building their homes. We treat all exposed wood with borates during the framing process of the home.
I would like to conclude by stating that we are always 100% effective, however we are not. Sometimes on difficult jobs we may have to re-treat an infested area several times. Integrated Pest Management requires more work and experience on the part of the technician and inspector. It also allows homeowners to take a more proactive approach to protecting their homes.

Orange Oil, Magic or Marketing

Orange oil for Drywood Termites, Marketing or Magic. By Bill Mashek  

Is Orange Green????
D-limonene oil also known as orange oil is not orange juice. It is a material (terpene) extracted from the citrus rind. The citrus is juiced and the oil is pressed and separated. Then distilled into a solvent with essence of orange. D-limonene is a low toxic (5,000mg/kg) yet volatile hydrocarbon. It is not nontoxic. It is also a marine pollutant. Primarily, d-limonene oil has been used as an industrial solvent and paint additive. The most recent uses of D-limonene are as a pesticide. Many companies are making egregious and undocumented claims of "non-toxic control of termites", "whole structure treatment" and "the fumes penetrate the wood". None of these claims can be backed by scientific evidence. In fact, there is no empirical scientific data currently available on the efficacy of orange oil as a treatment for drywood termites.

How is orange oil used to treat dry wood termites?

Dry Wood TermitesFirst of all, d-limonene, is aromatic, with some absorbing qualities. There is no scientific evidence indicating that it "penetrates the wood to kill termites as some advertisements claim. "Of course anything other than direct contact would result in no mortality of I. minor. At best it is a very, very local fumigant (a few centimeters) when high vapor concentrations are present in closed galleries."( Dr. Rudolf H. Scheffrahn University of Florida).

Unpublished research has determined that injecting d-limonene oil into termite galleries can kill dry wood termites. The problem with this method is, drill and injection is a random, localized treatment and not whole structure. The limitations would include the many "inaccessible areas" common in most structures and detection.

Detection

Detecting live termite infestations is critical for efficacy of spot treatment with d-limonene or any other product. One cannot inject a liquid into solid wood; the liquid would have to be injected into a termite gallery. If there happens to be termites it that gallery, orange oil as a contact poison would offer reasonable control (UC Davis IPM 2006). Undetected termites will not be treated. The elusive drywood termite cannot be detected in wood by the naked eye. There are devices on the market for detecting termites. They include: Acoustic Emission Devices (Termite Tracker), odor detectors and fiber optics. "These devices are expensive, lack adequate field studies and are rarely used" (Lewis, Vernard 2002 Drywood Termite Pest Notes). However, Dow Chemical has published studies on Acoustic emission devices: They worked with PCOs in actual field situations. Thoms, 2000. Fla Entomol. 83:64-74. They used acoustic detectors to evaluate the treatment of drywood termites with spinosad. They found better than 90% mortality at 89% of the sites. No tests were done with d-limonene. Because of design and intent of an infested structure, termite galleries can extend into wood framing behind sheetrock or tiled walls. This condition would create inaccessible areas for treatment and detection. Subsequently, one would have to gain access to infested areas by removing wall covering or other expensive renovation. In addition, orange oil offers no residual qualities (<24hours). Termites will not feed on wood treated with any type of oil (Rust, UC Irvine) these conditions could allow termites to move to other areas of the structure.


Is orange oil magic?

Orange oil can kill termites. It is considered a low toxic product and efficacious when used under optimum conditions. It is definitely, not magic and not the best product on the market. "There are no residual qualities, has odor that lingers that many people do not habituate to, flammable, and, as an organic solvent, will damage many painted and finished surfaces. (dr. schefferhan)
Unlike heat treatments, the electro gun, and low toxic, non repellent liquid residuals that went through rigorous independent university studies (,Vernard R. Lewis, Michael I Haverty) there is no empirical data or published reports on the efficacy of Orange oil. Dr. Michael Rust of UC Irvine and Dr. Rudolf Scheffrahn of University of Florida have done some independent testing. The below is their response to customer Molly M. of Sebastopol


From Dr. Michael Rust of UC Riverside:

I don't know of any published studies regarding d-limonene against drywood
termites. We have done some laboratory testing, but it is not complete. The
d-limonene will kill termites on contact, but has very little residual
effect (< 24 hours). Termites will not feed on wood treated with oils
including olive oil, canola oil, ect. We don't know how far the effect extends.

The problems with localized chemical treatments are the detection and
treatment of individual colonies. If colonies are not detected or
inaccessible, they will not be killed by injecting chemicals. In widespread
infestations, the fumigant (Vikane or sulfuryl fluoride) or the heat
treatment is probably a better option.

Without the scientific studies, it comes down the buyer beware.
Unfortunately, the companies that registered the d-limonene were not
required to produce field efficacy data to get it approved.

Mike Rust


"Limonene is a contact poison to termites. The issue is that if the colony
or colonies are not accessible to treatment with limonene, there will be no
success. On the other hand, the fumigant will kill termites in all parts of
the structures. What are your objections to fumigation? Maybe those can be
addressed to determine your best option."

Rudolf H. Scheffrahn
Professor of Entomology
University of Florida

Orange alone is not Green


The Pest control industry should be proud of recent innovations and less toxic treatment methods. There is no need to misrepresent products, use unreasonable scare tactics and resort to questionable and even illegal claims. Being "green" is much more complex than a "one size fits all" approach in dealing with termites. Every situation is different and control would have to be accomplished in a "prescribed" manner. Integrated pest management (considered a green approach to pest control) is an inclusive process focusing on not only the pest problem but also the issues regarding "the reason" for the problem. Hence, coming up with permanent or long-term reduction in the target pest population. These solutions may involve habitat modification, structural modification, physical control, cultural control and judicious use of pesticides. Treatment also involves understanding the biology of the pest and a working relationship with a proactive homeowner.

There is strong public interest in reducing the presence of pesticides in our environment. People are demanding less exposure to all types of toxicants, not just pesticides. By providing accurate information, and excellent customer service, pest management professionals will best represent our industry.
UC Davis IPM program
Pest Control Operators of California
Evaluation of Six Techniques for Control of the Western Drywood Termite (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in Structures Vernard R. Lewis and Michael I. Haverty Alternative Control Strategies for Termites Vernard R. Lewis
Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, Professor of Entomology University of Florida, non-published studies on orange oil
Michael Rust, UC Irvine
Florida Chemical Co Inc.

Bill Mashek
BS, Biology, Teaching Credential Dominican University, Advanced Urban Integrated Pest Management graduate, Perdue University
Principal, Northwest Termite and Pest Control Inc. Specializing in least toxic termite and pest control.
www.Northwesttermite.com

Moisture Control in the Crawlspace

Moisture Control in the Crawl Space 

Bill Mashek   Northwest Termite and Pest Control Inc.

Excessive moisture in a crawl space can be a serious problem, especially if ventilation is not adequate.  When water evaporates, there is no place for it to go.  Subsequently, the water will condensate on wood underpinnings.  Over time, the living organisms in the water will use the wood as a substrate to grow on.  This situation can lead to early decay by fungus and infestation by other wood destroying organisms. There are no permanent solutions to eliminate moisture in a crawl space but there are ways to control moisture. 

Standing Water  

The best solution for standing water is to divert the outside flow.   This can be accomplished with perimeter drainage. If perimeter drainage isn’t possible or the cause of standing water is super saturation i.e. adobe soil a sump pump is probably your best option.  A sump pump should be installed in a proper cistern with drain holes on the bottom and side.  One can make a simple cistern with a 5 gallon bucket and drilling ¼” holes in the bottom and sides, dig out a large area in the lowest section of the sub structure.  The hole should be as deep as the bucket/cistern with twice the circumference.  Drain rock should be placed below the bucket and after bucket is set, fill in the perimeter.  Wiring a sump pump should be done by a licensed electrician as this should be a dedicated line with a 20 amp circuit. 

When installing the sump pump, also install a check valve to prevent back flow.  Install a hose and direct drainage beyond exterior of building.  Installing drain lines or digging V groves in the soil to direct water flow to the cistern is a prudent option.

Once standing water is under control and we are only dealing with wet to wet and muddy soil, we can now install the vapor barrier.   The membrane used as a vapor barrier is black plastic sheeting with a minimum thickness of 6 mil. A vapor barrier will not reduce soil moisture but will lower the humidity in the crawl space.  Water will condense on the membrane and stay in the soil instead of evaporating and absorbing into substructure framing.   The vapor barrier should cover at least 75% but no more than 90% of the sub area soil.  It does not have to be fastened to the foundation wall.  Beware of the mold opportunists who want to sell you a $10-12,000+ fancy vapor barrier system. 

Other ways to help with excessive moisture conditions is to add mechanical ventilation ( www.tempvent.com) and/or substructure dehumidifier (http://www.crawlspacedehumidifiers.com/).

Green Pest Management---Not just about Pesticides

Green Pest Management. Not just about pesticides!  

Green Pest Management:The word "green" has never really been defined, subsequently, it should be considered a subjective term. I.e. Am I green if I use plastic bags at the super market, by not using a forest product that is produced by cutting down trees? or Am I green by using a natural forest product and not using bags made from petroleum?
In pest control, would I be green if I used "natural" pesticides? Strychnine, nicotine, methly bromide and poison from venemous snakes are all "natural".  They are also some of the most toxic poisons found.
BEING "GREEN" IS NOT ALL ABOUT PESTICIDES. It is about the overall approach to pest management in a manner that reduces the impact on the environment. Please note that there is NO “Green List” of pesticides. It is the manner in which the product is applied that is of importance, and products such as enclosed insect bait stations maybe labeled as “green” even though the active ingredient is synthetic.

Toxicity, is dose (exposure) specific. Water, sugar, salt and oxygen are all toxic, if consumed in the right dose. Botulism, one the most toxic products known, at the appropriate concentration, can be injected into lips and eyelids for cosmetic reasons.

“Green Pest Management” awaits a specific definition, and pest control industry leaders may be working to achieve this. From the opinions of many pest management professionals there are clear similarities between “Green” pestmanagement and “Integrated” pest management. In the overall goal of reducing any negative impact on the environment, while still managing pest problems that affect our customers, we must emphasize:
 Proper identification of the pest and understanding its biology and habits
 Habitat modification to remove conditions conducive to the pest presence
 Exclusion to prevent entry to structures
 Inspection and monitoring to verify the presence of the pest
 The use of non-chemical control measures where appropriate and effective
 The use of the least hazardous chemicals where appropriate and effective.
Green Pest Management should also evaluate every other aspect of the business in the goal of lowering any negative impact on the environment. This includes efficient use of vehicles to reduce gas usage, recycling of all containers and other waste products if possible, good building maintenance for efficient energy use, and other areas not directly related to the control of pests.