by Betsy Tarkington

In Southeastern Louisiana, termites are much like flooding. We are all at risk; some of us simply do not know it yet.

Many of us have slept comfortably for years, confident that our homes were safe from rising water. Then there was the Katrina awakening. Now we all know that we are susceptible to flooding, whether our zone is “A” or “C.” It is equally important to be aware of termite risk, as these destructive creatures live everywhere in our soil and are always ready and willing to set up housekeeping in the walls and woodwork of our homes.

Termites have a social system and a well-engineered biological plan for survival. That plan is basically a meal plan, and dinner may well be at your house, if you are not careful. There are three castes in the termite colony: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. The most recognizable of these are the wingless, milky-colored workers we found under the woodpile when we were children, and the winged reproductives that swarm in spring and early summer. Swarming termites are actually setting out to mate and establish new colonies. While swarming season causes many homeowners to sound the termite alarm, the real damage is caused year round by worker termites, each of them consuming about 15 pounds of wood a week. Nonetheless, if a swarm of termites is what you need to get your house under termite contract, consider swarming season a blessing. Just remember that the real danger can occur at any time and that it always occurs in places you cannot see.

There are two basic types of termites: Ground or Subterranean Termites (both Native Subterranean and Formosan are in this class) and Dry Wood Termites. While both types swarm during the spring and early summer months, their other habits differ. As their name suggests, ground termites live in the ground and enter your home through tunnels. Native Subterranean termites form small colonies, while Formosan termites are extremely aggressive and form huge communities. Ground termites can live above ground once a colony is established if there is a ready source of moisture.

The good news is that termite problems can be resolved if they are caught early. If you do not have a termite problem, now is the time to protect your home. A termite contract is great protection. It is also a valuable sales feature when you are ready to sell. Louisiana law requires completion of a property disclosure form, which asks questions about the termite history of your home, as well as about termite contracts. In interviewing termite contractors, it is recommended that you consider only licensed and certified companies with an established reputation. Discuss the terms of each contract, not just the cost. While all contracts offer treatment if a problem occurs, some also offer coverage to repair damage.

In search of termite wisdom, I spoke to some local experts. Bryan Beter of Security Pest Control emphasizes the importance of professional protection, noting that we spend huge sums buying and maintaining our homes, yet we often forego the relatively inexpensive investment of termite coverage to protect home value. Beter emphasizes that the cost of an inspection can be applied to a termite contract, that yearly renewals are inexpensive, and that contracts are transferable to a new owner. Your contract serves as a warranty to potential buyers, plus it is a subtle indicator of the attentive maintenance your home has enjoyed overall.

Jed D’Arensbourg of DA Exterminating describes post-Katrina industry predictions: that Katrina flooding would lessen the termite population and increase the rat population. He notes that the opposite has occurred. Termites climbed above the water, and the rats drowned. The result is likely to be a massive swarming season with significant colonization. D’Arensbourg recommends that houses with flooding be treated right away. Any area where water has stood for more than a brief time or where sediment has settled is at significant risk of termite infestation.

Kerry Lindsey of Terminex Northshore Services emphasizes that a professional evaluation is advisable when there has been any disturbance within 12 inches of your home’s foundation, as that is the area where your annual termite treatment will occur. Any time you dig or mulch within this margin, you disturb your protective barrier. Lindsey disagrees with gardeners who believe that stone mulches discourage termite intrusion, as stone mulches do not absorb treatment chemicals and can actually provide a bridge into your home. He is not concerned about fallen trees and ground stumps unless the trees have had termites.

“We’d all be knee deep in decaying wood if it were not for termites,” says Beter. While termites may serve a valuable environmental purpose, their voracious appetite for decaying wood should make them unwelcome dinner guests. Their tastes are best indulged in wooded areas, far away from our homes.

Regular contributor Betsy Mattox Tarkington, a northshore native, is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker TEC. For more information, contact her at 373-6186.