Controlling Termites with Termicide Treatments

PART 1–GENERAL
1.01 SUMMARY

1. This procedure includes guidance on treating wood construction to control termites by injecting infested areas with termiticide.
2. Termites, beetles, and carpenter ants cause less visible, but more serious problems than more visible insects.
3. Termites are wood eating insects which attack primarily soft sapwood. They are most active in locations with high moisture and usually enter the wood at or below ground level. Beetles also eat wood, even in dry areas above ground. Carpenter ants burrow into wood to make a home, not to find food; they seldom are a serious problem.
4. See “General Project Requirements” for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
   1. Safety Precautions
   2. Historic Structures Precautions
   3. Submittals
   4. Quality Assurance
   5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
   6. Project/Site Conditions
   7. Sequencing and Scheduling
   8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
      These guidelines should be reviewed before performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

2.02 SUBMITTALS

1. Product Data:Submit manufacturer’s technical data and application instructions to RHPO for approval before proceeding with treatment operations.

1.03 QUALITY ASSURANCE

1. In addition to requirements of these specifications comply with manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for work, including preparation of substrate and application.
2. Engage a professional pest control operator, licensed in accordance with regulations of governing authorities for application of treatment solution.
3. Use only termiticides which bear a Federal registration number of the U.S. Environment Protection Agency.

1.04 PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS

1. Restrictions: Do not apply treatment solution except as otherwise required in construction operations. Apply in an industry standard manner such that contamination by toxic or hazardous chemicals does not occur in any adjacent or occupied areas.

1.05 WARRANTY

1. Furnish written warranty certifying that applied termiticide treatment will prevent infestation of termites and, that if termite activity is discovered during warranty period, Contractor will retreat discovered during repair or replace damage caused by termite infestation.
   1. Provide warranty for a period of 5 years from date of treatment, signed by Applicator and Contractor.

PART 2–PRODUCTS
2.01 MANUFACTURERS

1. PRG, Inc. (Preservation Resource Group)
   Rockville, MD

2.02 MATERIALS

1. Emulsible concentrate termiticide for dilution with water, specially formulated to prevent infestation by termites such as “Bora-Care” (PRG, Inc.), or approved equal.
   1. 1. A high-concentration solution containing the active ingredient disodium collaborate tetra hydrate formulated in a specially patented carrier system.
      2. Provides a high-degree of repellency and rapid elimination of active infestation in a single application.
      3. EPA registered for preventive and remedial treatments; odorless; colorless; long lasting.
      4. Penetrates the wood, eliminates active infestations and provide long-term protection against future infestations.
      5. NOTE: Other solutions or methods of application may be used as recommended by manufacturer or applicator if also acceptable to the RHPO and approved for intended application by jurisdictional authorities.

2.03 EQUIPMENT

1. Spray equipment for application of termiticide concentrate as recommended by termiticide manufacturer.

PART 3–EXECUTION
3.01 EXAMINATION

1. Inspect all wood portions of a building for insect damage least once each year. Look for signs of insect activity, such as:
   1. Clay tubes on pieces of wood
   2. Small holes in the wood
   3. Small unexplained piles of sawdust
2. If any of these signs appear between inspections, an insect control specialist should be called in to make a thorough investigation.

3.02 PREPARATION

1. Remove foreign matter which could decrease effectiveness of treatment on areas to be treated.

3.03 ERECTION, INSTALLATION AND APPLICATION
NOTE: TERMITICIDE TREATMENT WILL NOT STRENGTHEN DETERIORATED WOOD. STRUCTURAL MEMBERS THAT ARE NO LONGER SOUND MUST BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED.

1. For Spot Treatment of Infested Areas:
   1. Dilute termiticide concentrate with water according to manufacturer’s instructions.
      NOTE:FUEL OIL IS NOT PERMITTED AS A DILUENT.
   2. Saturate the infested and surrounding area with diluted termiticide using a spray. Apply at rate recommended by manufacturer.
      NOTE: BE SURE TO TREAT THE ENTIRE INFESTED MEMBER TO ENSURE THAT THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN THE CONCENTRATE REMAINS AT A LEVEL HIGH ENOUGH FOR EFFECTIVE CONTROL. WOOD THAT HAS NOT BEE TREATED WILL NOT BE PROTECTED.
2. Post signs in areas of application to warn workers that termiticide treatment has been applied. Remove signs when areas are covered by other construction.
3. Reapply treatment solution to areas disturbed by subsequent construction activities following application.