Termites in the skirting boards

[mil_dos]

Any helpful advice on how to deal with termites in the woodwork?

Mrs M_D

[Big Boy]

You could start by reading this thread http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/pe ... 11417.html

[PeteC]

If by 'skirting boards' you mean the wood moulding between floor and wall, I've had that problem. It seems to be the most common area for termites once they enter your house from the ground, primarily because it's the first wood they come in contact with. It's important that you address it quickly before they spread to other areas of the house, cabinets, furniture etc.

Before the exterminating company we used removed the old moulding, they drilled holes, sprayed, plus introduced a toxic powder bait that is meant to attract back any termites that have gone beyond that immediate area. Once done and many dead termites found two weeks later, old moulding removed and new moulding was installed, painted and sealed. 18 months now and no sign of re-infestation.

If you don't have the anti-termite gas system hoses installed in your foundation when the house was built, I would get the exterminators to install in-ground traps around the house to help stop them from getting in again. There's a variety of types, the most common plastic cylinders that are placed in the ground containing bait. These usually have a removable cap that stays visible above ground where new bait can be introduced once a year.

As a reminder, if you or your maid see small piles of fine dust near your moulding or any other wood items, don't just sweep it up and forget about it. That's waste discharged by the termites from inside the wooden item. If you look closely you'll find a tiny pin size hole where the waste is coming from. Buy some Chaindrite 1 spray that comes with a needle for the nozzle, insert into the waste hole and give it a good spray. Then call the exterminator ASAP. Death to Termites! Pete

[JW]

You need too rip them out, have the affected areas treated for around 1 month to ensure they dont return and have new skirting boards fitted. You could consider a ceramic tile as a border, seen this a few times and it works well.

[Spitfire]

Yeah, I can remember having some work done at the wife's house, traditional wooden bedroom for guests, and before putting it all together had all the wood pieces individually treated with a clear/water like insecticide (brand name 'Chaindrite', I think) that soaks into the wood and stops tunnelling beasties, then you put the stain varnish on top which seals it. Had this done about 4 years ago and not a sign of the critters anywhere.

[hhfarang]

If you have a crawl space underneath your home, you should have a good extermination company install a termite sprayer system under there. It consists of a system of hoses or pipes attached to the underside of the floor with spray nozzles pointing downward to soak the ground with a termite deterrent. We had that installed when the house was built and have had no problems to date. They spray once every three months by connecting to a pipe they ran through the wall to the outside.

If you're home is on a slab flat on the ground you can have termite canisters installed in your yard around the home. They are installed at ground level (flush with the surface) and can be opened and reloaded with bait/poison when needed. I've heard they work well too; but as the other posters said, first you have to rid the house of all the infested wood which can be difficult.

[komfortablynumb]

No termite eating snakes then.
There's a relief.