tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post4529415387718470428..comments2023-10-27T03:41:13.171-07:00Comments on Warning Signs: Termites 101Alan Carubahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901162110385985193noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-51438049945330611122013-04-28T11:48:01.295-07:002013-04-28T11:48:01.295-07:00I had a frustrating experience with termites, and ...I had a frustrating experience with termites, and I found out that they can be very difficult to eradicate, especially if a structure wasn't built with the proper barriers and construction techniques...<br /><br />I once bought an older home on a stone foundation, and quickly discovered that the previous owner had discovered the infestation, and hid it up prior to the sale. Of course, he wound up having to pay for the remedy, but it took three years of drilling, trenching, and spraying to finally get rid of them. They were coming in from numerous places, and believe me when I say that they're relentless. They can come in through the tiniest crack, and if they find wood when they do, the feeding frenzy begins and continues unabated until they are discovered.<br /><br />The information on how to prevent these incursions is out there, but it seems that builders are pretty lazy. They just keep making the same stupid mistakes, because it usually takes a long time before the trouble begins, and they know they'll be long gone when the trouble starts...<br /><br />I caught the contractor that was building my Mom's house setting the primary structural members of her house into notches cut in the hollow concrete block walls, with NO termite barrier whatsoever. The rest of the foundation had a nice solid block termite barrier along the top, but he cut through it and set the most critical members of the structure in the notches, which were wide open to the block walls below!! It was a termite's dream ... concealed subterranean access to an unlimited supply of huge wood beams. I couldn't believe it when I saw it.<br /><br />When we built the house I live in now, I busted the builders time and time again for placing untreated wood in contact with the block walls in the basement, even after discussing the subject with them at great length before construction began. Tragically, many basement remodeling contractors will do the same thing ... they'll come in to a previously impervious structure, and use a Paslode gun to nail wood furring strips to the block walls, fracturing the block and opening up thousands of places for termites to enter. Then, they cover them all up with drywall, ring the dinner bell, and walk away... It's a recipe for disaster.<br /><br />So, take my advice. Watch your builders and contractors, and make sure they build things right in the first place. It'll save you a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of anguish. Guy in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03427016567260606130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-24285656645492128002013-04-26T17:30:09.304-07:002013-04-26T17:30:09.304-07:00We once had ground termites at our previous house ...We once had ground termites at our previous house and it is amazing how much destruction they can do in just one day. Since it is possible to get rid of them there may be hope yet in getting rid of Obama. We need a big win in the 2014 elections.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17593994135554272869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-42901548887462824172013-04-26T09:25:29.791-07:002013-04-26T09:25:29.791-07:00Now that you mention it, yes!Now that you mention it, yes!Alan Carubahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10901162110385985193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196554259323465442.post-13607603098352936542013-04-26T09:06:45.481-07:002013-04-26T09:06:45.481-07:00Have you noticed the similarity between termites a...Have you noticed the similarity between termites and Democrats?<br /><br />They consume everything they can...<br /><br />The lay waste and ruin to everything they touch...<br /><br />They never have been useful in ANY way.. <br /><br />Just sayin'.TexasFredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18008912292703416417noreply@blogger.com