Drywood Termites (Isopetra: Kalotermitidae) behave a little differently that their more common subterranean brethren. They require no contact with the ground or other moisture source, preferring instead to live directly in the wood. Drywood Termites are usually found in the humid coastal and subtropical regions of the United States, although there are several; species found in the desert southwest – and their numbers appear to be spreading. Like other Termites, Drywood Termites will share food among one another.
Drywood Termites eat across the grain, consuming both spring and summer wood. They make galleries connected by tunnels, both of which have velvety walls, as if smoothed with fine sandpaper. Usually, there are fecal pellets throughout this system, which are ejected from kick holes (often, the first sign of their presence).
Swarming Drywood Termites fly into structures and infest wood directly. They typically infest exposed wood, such as window and door frames, trim, eaves and attics. When swarming, they will often re-infest the same structure multiple times.
Unlike Subterranean Termite damage, there is no soil associated with Drywood Termite damage. Although the damage may be localized to an area occupied by a relatively small colony, the combination of many colonies as a result of new infestations or re-infestations can cause major damage over time.
The total annual cost of repairing Drywood Termite structural damage and their eradication is estimated to be many millions of dollars in the United States alone.
PREVENT OR TENT - Drywood Termites Treatment Options
Until recently having to treat your home or business for drywood termites meant one option … TENT FUMIGATION… UGH!!!
Any homeowner who has had to fumigate a home knows what a difficult procedure it is. The family must move out along with all pets and plants – even the goldfish has to go. All food must be double-wrapped in plastic bags. The power must be shut off, and then the entire house must be covered with giant tarps as a toxic chemical is pumped into the home. The process can take 3-4 days and cost thousands of dollars.
While this difficult procedure will kill the termites, it does not prevent them from coming back – even in the same year. And in the areas with heavy drywood termite pressure, it is not question of if the home will get infested, but when.
A BETTER SOLUTION – Now you can solve this problem once and for all by having Anti-Pesto perform a Whole House BORAGUARD Drywood Treatment with Bora-Care. Bora-Care is EPA-registered termiticide and fungicide that is sprayed onto wood. The active ingredient in Bora-Care is borate (remember 20 Mule Team Borax?).
This mineral salt is less toxic to humans pets, birds, fish (when comparing toxicity levels in a laboratory setting), yet it is deadly to insect pests. And because it is a mineral salt it will not break down over time. When Bora-Care is sprayed on the wood, its patented formula penetrates deep into the wood and remains there for the life of the wood, providing residual protection.
TREAT THE WOOD - Drywood Termites tend to infest homes by gaining entry around doors, windows, soffits and attics. Once a nest matures, these termites may “swarm” every year and establish new colonies in other areas of the structure. By treating the wood, you kill existing colonies and prevent future colonies from establishing.
APPLICATION – Bora-Care is sprayed onto all exposed wood in attics, garages, soffits and crawl spaces. Wall voids are injected using high pressure misting or foaming. The Bora-Care methods and technologies ensure that the entire structure is protected.
NO DANGEROUS VOC’s – Bora-Care also had no dangerous VOC’s “Volatile Organic Compounds”, so your family can remain at home during the application. In fact, Bora-Care has been recently recognized for its “green” qualities by Green Builder Magazine, which selected Bora-Care for its inaugural Overall Grand Prize, Best of Show award at the 2006 National Green Building Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
TEN REASONS - To switch from Fumigation to Bora-Care Drywood Termite Treatments
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Bora-Care is a residual Solution. When Bora-Care is applied, it remains in the wood for the life of the wood. Fumigation provides no residual protection.
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No one has to leave their home. Bora-Care poses minimal risk to families and pests, so treatments can be done while you are at home.
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No Bagging of Food or Removing Plants. Bora0Care treatments are non-invasive. Nothing is removed from the home.
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No Dangerous VOCs. Bora-Care does not have any Volatile Organic Compounds- this means that no dangerous chemicals are being released into the environment. With fumigation, 100% of the Sulfuryl Fluoride is released into the air.
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Less Danger. Even though extensive precautions are taken, there are still fatalities associated with fumigation every few years.
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Treatments Can Be Done at Your Convenience. Just like painting, the crew can move from room to room until the project is complete.
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No Damage to Roofing or Plants. Since there is no tenting, there is significantly less damage to the property.
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Inhibits Wood Decay. Bora-Care will also stop existing wood decay and will prevent decay from starting.
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General Pest Protections. Wood treated with Bora-Care also provides an added protection against general pests such as ants, cockroaches and crickets.
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Saves Money. While the cost of doing a Bora-Care treatment may be higher than fumigation, the savings on three days of housing for your family will give you an overall lower cost, fewer headaches, happier family members and residual protection.
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ANTI-PESTO’s BORA GUARD TREATMENT vs. TENT FUMIGATION
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Anti-Pesto’s
Bora-Guard |
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Tent Fumigation |
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Provides residual protection |
Yes |
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NO
(Vikane is a gas, it has no residual) |
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People, and Pets MAY remain in home or building during treatment |
Yes |
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NO
(People and pets must vacate the structure for 3 days) |
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Minimal preparation involved for treatment |
Yes |
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NO
(heavy preparation of structure.. see attached pdf) |
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Product used does NOT have any VOC”S |
Yes |
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NO
(100% Sulfuryl Fluoride is released during every fumigation) |
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Little or no danger involve in treatment |
Yes |
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NO
(Even though extensive precautions are taken, there are still fatalities associated with fumigation every few years) |
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Treatments are convenient and unobtrusive |
Yes |
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NO
(Just like painting, the crew can move from room to room until the project is complete) |
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Treatment will NOT damage roof or landscaping |
Yes |
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NO
(Since there is no tenting, there is significantly less damage to the property) |
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Treatment also inhibits wood decay |
Yes |
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NO
(Fumigation will not stop existing wood decay and will prevent decay from starting) |
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Treatment also provides general pest protection |
Yes |
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NO
(Since fumigation has no residual, it provides no general pest protection) |
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Treatment process less expensive overall |
Yes |
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NO
(cost of lodging, meals, entertainment, pet care and preparation can cost more than the fumigation itself) |
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The best choice for your home |
Yes *** |
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*** Please note NOT all structures may qualify for a borate Treatment. Some structures have no other option than tent fumigation.
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