Termites Tunnel into Homeowner's Bathroom in Red Bank, NJ
Challenge
Recently, I went on a service call to a property in Red Bank NJ after the homeowner contacted us because of a termite infestation in his bathroom. Termites, like all insects, are attracted to water, moisture, and humidity. Bathrooms often attract insects because of leaky pipes, humid showers, and inadequate ventilation. As a result, bathrooms are susceptible to mold issues, ants, and as this homeowner found out, termites. Termite infestations are especially problematic because these subterranean insects stay hidden behind walls, floors, and ceilings where they are busy literally eating your home from the inside out. In bathrooms, termite infestations can be particularly difficult to detect behind tile and bathtubs. This homeowner happened to be aware of an infestation because of one of the most visible signs of termites – swarmers!
As I began my inspection in the bathroom, I noticed a small dirt pile near the base of the toilet. A closer look revealed an unfortunate sight — termite swarmers. Swarmers are winged termites whose sole purpose in their short existence is reproducing and creating new termite colonies. In order to find a mate, these future termite kings and queens will swarm, mate, and find suitable locations to start their colonies. While termite swarmers are an unwelcome sight for any property owner, the silver lining is that they are a highly visible sign of an infestation. Otherwise, the infestation could have easily gone unnoticed until there was major property damage. Swarms of termites flying in your home or in the close vicinity is a sign that your property could be infested or at risk of being infested soon.
Continuing my inspection, I noticed that the termite swarmers were able to gain access into the bathroom through a tiny crack in the rear water line in the wall and piping slab. This swarm was likely attracted to the baseboard heater ducts that warmed up the bathroom.
Solution
I applied Termidor, a highly effective liquid termiticide, to the interior wall void around the piping slab and along the exterior of the property. This solution binds tightly to the treated area to create a protective treatment zone undetectable to termites. Any termites that any treated materials, soon die. Also, whenever a termite comes into direct contact Termidor, it becomes a “carrier,” transferring it to any other termites it contacts. Secondary carriers continue transferring the solution to other termites, so the solution soon spreads like a virus throughout the entire colony. As an added measure, I placed numerous monitoring devices around the home to detect new termite threats, and scheduled a follow-up inspection.
