1. How Subterranean Termites Get Into Structures A Guide for Architects and Builders Dina Richman University of Florida

2. How Does the Problem Start? A.Existing Colony –Tubes connect colony to structure –Most frequently near moist wood and soil B.New Colony –King and queen choose area and excavate –Seek moist wood and soil Require Food, Water, and Access

3. Existing Colony: Mud Tubes Connect Colony in Soil with Wood in House

4. Typical Termite Entry Into Structures 1. Termites consume wood in ground 3. Finally infest wood 2. Then construct tunnels

5. Mud Tubes

6. Wood Next to or Under Structure Provides Food

7. Termites Access Into Structure Floating Slab

8. Termites Access Into Structure Partially Supported Slab

9. Termites Access Into Structure Supported Slab With Veneer

10. Termites Access Into Structure Monolithic Slab With Veneer

11. Crack in foundation Wood in contact with soil

12. Termites Access Into Structure Wooden Porch

13. Termites Access Into Structure Dirt-Filled Porch

14. Foundation Penetrations Concrete shrinkage allows termites access

15. Foraging and Guidelines Guidelines preferred When unconstrained, termites will tunnel in a radiating pattern When guidelines are introduced, the uniform tunneling pattern is disrupted and direction proceeds along guidelines

16. Foraging and Guidelines Day 14Day 14 (Found Gap 3d)

17. What Are Guidelines?

18. Construction Mistakes and Homeowner Alterations Allow Termite Access

19. Exterior Finish Below Grade Allows Termites Hidden Access

20. Hidden Termite Access Monolithic slab Vapor barrier used as form Brick veneer and stucco extending below ground

21. Hidden Termite Access

22. Subterranean Termite Entry Points Foundation –Cracks –Plumbing connections –Expansion joints –Utility conduits –Non-integral footers (Cold joints) Exterior Siding –Stucco –Brick veneer –Wood, vinyl, Hardy Board –EIFS

23. New Colony: What Makes an Area Attractive? Moisture Next to Foundation Gutters and downspouts Improper drainage, grading Sprinklers, irrigation, water spigots Roof leaks

24. Gutters New Building Code –Gutters and down spouts on eaves under 6” wide Water can build-up next to foundation due to lack of gutters

25. Mis-directed downspouts

26. Sprinkler head directs water towards bushes

27. Roof gravity

28. Improper Roof Flashing No flashing Not effective Allows moisture buildup In wall voids Adjacent to foundation

29. Walls Voids

30. Summary of Key Concepts Food –Wood-to-soil contact –Form boards not removed –Wooden debris left inside CMUs –Wood refuse buried under slab Water –Improper drainage, grading –Irrigation wets foundation Access –Exterior cladding, EIFS below grade –Landscaping –Plumbing penetrations –Additions, adjacent slabs

31. Why Pre-Construction Treatments Fail Pre-construction disruption –Additional grading, vapor barrier, walking across treated area Contractor error –Grade stakes, form boards, cellulose debris within foundation Post-construction disruption –Landscaping or add-ons Breakdown due to climate and soil conditions Applicator error

32. Infestation Rates in St. John’s County X 2 = 120.533, df = 2, P = 0.001

33. Author: Dina Richman, University of Florida dlri@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu Photos: Dina Richman and Cynthia Tucker, University of Florida Entomology And Nematology Department Copyright University of Florida 2000 For more detailed information see the Featured Creatures WWW site at http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/