DATE: March 25, 2008
CONTACT:
Cam Lay, (864) 646-2144
clay@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Tracy Outlaw, (864) 646-2150
tracyo@clemson.edu
It's time to protect your house from termites
CLEMSON—Spring is here! Everything’s starting to bloom. Unfortunately, it’s also time for termites to swarm out of their colonies and reproduce, lay eggs, and form other colonies.
The basis of termite control is to protect the termite’s food source--your house. Termites enter a structure by burrowing upward through cracks in bricks or in the cement of the foundations. Once established, they attack the wood of the house and feed on its cellulose. Over time, support timbers are hollowed and the whole structure of the house is weakened.
That's a huge economic risk for the average family. Buying a home is normally a family’s largest single investment. Repairs from termite damage can cost thousands of dollars.
The S.C. structural pest control industry is regulated by DPR. Pest control professionals must pass a comprehensive certification exam, demonstrate financial responsibility, and be licensed before performing any pest control activity.
Detailed standards set by DPR explain how termite treatments must be performed.
Cam Lay, assistant department head for DPR, says, “For South Carolina homeowners it is not a matter of ‘if’ an unprotected home will be attacked by subterranean termites but ‘when.’ The entire Southeast is a high-risk area for termite invasion because of the moderate temperatures and higher humidity.”
Lay recommends that homeowners have their homes inspected annually for termites and other wood-destroying organisms, such as powder-post beetles and wood-decaying fungi.
Fifteen DPR field staff conduct structural pest inspections in their respective territories around the state. They collect soil samples and have them analyzed by the DPR lab to establish whether sufficient concentrations of pesticides are present around a structure.
Ernest Schoonover, regulatory specialist located in DPR’s Cherokee office, said some pest management professionals unfortunately operate without a state license, use the wrong chemical or don't apply pesticides in the right places, causing the treatment plan to fail.
"We can't stress enough the importance of selecting a professional, licensed pest control operator," he said.
Businesses licensed by DPR are required to have a yellow departmental decal on each side of their vehicle and to carry an identification card that verifies that they have been adequately trained.
Schoonover advises persons who need assistance or who believe a violation may have occurred to contact DPR at 864.646.2150.
You may also request DPR’s assistance via email. Follow the Request Our Assistance link at clemson.edu/dpr. After providing the department with your name and the nature of your concern, DPR will have a regulatory specialist from your area contact you, usually within one to two business days.
“I encourage everyone to visit the DPR website, whether or not you’re having a pest control problem,” said Public Information Director Tracy Outlaw. “There is a wealth of information available for South Carolina homeowners. Come see what your neighbors are saying about our department’s services!”
The Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation suggests the following tips when choosing a pest control company.
Ask friends and neighbors to recommend a company.
Get a termite contract. Contracts are usually written for five to 10 years and the most useful cover damage, namely treatment and repair.
Trust your instincts! If the pest control company you’re working with doesn’t treat you and your concerns with courtesy and professionalism, it may be time to find another company! END