How do you recommend I get rid of dry rot termites in a mobile home?

Question

Sarah

How do you recommend I get rid of dry rot termites in a mobile home?

I live in a mobile home in FL. About 2yrs ago I had black flying insects only about 10 or so come out from somewhere swarming around my kitchen light. I suspected they were termites but dismissed it. During this time, I also had similar looking insects around the bottom of my toliet and flying in the bathroom. I only had about 20 or so in the bathroom flying. The bathtub and shower walls were replaced due to water damage and the toliet leaking issue was fixed. My father said he didn't see any termites during that time. Now 1-2yrs later, I found termites in my kitchen wall eatting happily in a hole. I put tape over it and they ate the hole bigger. About 2 days later they decided to make another hole about a foot and a half away. I taped that hole. Next day they swarmed, under a 100 of those light brown termites. So I suspect I have dry rot termites from what I have read on the internet. I don't have alot of money but want to replace the walls and framing in that area. I used bug spray several times in that wall but they still have come out every few days. The entire house is wood based. I recently replaced my kitchen cabinets from partical board to real wood. I have paneling throughout and partical board as a floor. My family suggests I abandoned the home. Is replacing walls/framing plus termite spraying a feasible way to rid my home of them for a while?

Status: Open May 20, 2013 - 07:24 PM

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Answer

RonDawson

May 21, 2013 - 06:11 PM

It really depends on how bad the damage is, and what species of termites you are dealing with. I am not sure what species you are referring to as "dry rot" termites, as "drywood termites" are usually the species associated with dry wood. Also, you could have an infestation of "formosan termites", and the indicating factor here is whether you found them swarming at night.

In any case, you can certainly attempt some form of treatment before you abandon the home.

Here is a repost from a similar issue with Drywood termites -

Depending on where the drywood termites are located, a spot treatment with Termidor Foam can eliminate them in specific areas. Simply locate the "kickout" holes where the drywood termites are dumping their "frass" or wood pellets from and drill a small hole into this kickout hole. Drilling through the kickout hole will hopefully lead directly to the chambers inside of the wood in which they are eating nesting.

Drilling the entire wall and foaming the entire wall in a checkboard fashion with holes every 12 " or so may also be necessary. If the termites are on an outside wall, and there is paneling or wood sheathing, drilling the same way, also drilling eaves, window boxes, etc, is recommended. The bottom line, drywood termites can be anywhere, and you have to drill as many holes as possible to get as much Termidor Foam as possible inside the walls. This could take 1 can of foam, it could take an entire case or more.

Any aerosol product such as D Foam, Invader, Premise Foam, etc, will work, but I recommend Termidor Foam.

Another option is to get Termidor SC and mix it into a Solo Wall Foamer. This is much more economical than using a case of foam. Its great for foaming an entire home, many walls. You will need the Solo Wall Foamer, Termidor SC and Foaming Agent such as Pro Foam Platinum. Mix the Termidor SC and Pro Foam with water into the sprayer and walla! Instant thick foam.

We also have a complete page on Drywood termite control - click here

Fumigation with Vikane is usually the recommended treatment for Drywood termites, as my recommendations are for spot treatment only. However, if you do this right, and kill the drywood termite colonies, you can reduce and maybe eliminate the need for fumigation. Many of our customers have done this with great success. If I had drywood termites in my home, I would certainly do everything possible to avoid fumigation. And if I had to do it, only as a last resort after I had exhausted all other options.

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