Q: I thought the termite season was over last month. What happened? We seem to have termites again?

A: Considering the time of year, I think you're being invaded by a species called drywood termite. Don't let the word termite scare you. These are two different types of termites. If I were to create a scale from 1 to 10, drywood termites would rate around a 9, while their somewhat similarly named comrades would rate a 2. Their are several differences. I like to keep it simple. After all, this is not meant to be Entomology 101!

1. The average colony contains between 2,000 to 5,000 nest mates, while the Eastern subterranean termite colony numbers in the millions.

2. Drywoods cannot digest cellulose, or wood, without the aid of a protozoa in its stomach. That's why they leave their calling card ­ pellets or fecal material made of pure cellulose.

4. The alates, or kings and queens shed their wing very quickly. The wings have an iridescent quality and have three, five or seven distinct veins on the leading edge.

5. Their "galleries" (tunnels) feel smooth to the touch, as if chiseled out by a fine carpenter.

6. It takes many, many years to do a minimum of damage. The solutions are many and all effective. The easiest method is tenting. A gas called Vicane is introduced into a structure. It kills all organisms in the structure. This procedure was perfected by Truly Nolan and is the quick fix for drywoods. The disadvantage to this method is that it leaves no residual chemical behind and the drywoods often return. You and your family have to endure a long, tedious procedure to ready the house for tenting and then you must relocate for three or four days.

I'm going to California to get certified in a new process for termites ­ raising the temperature of a house to 140 degrees for four hours. Certain precautions must be taken. The removal of delicate electronic equipment, candles, oil painting, plants and flowers. However the cost factor is 40 percent less expensive. The "drill and inject" method is relatively successful, and half the cost of tenting. Bottom line: These little guys are more a nuisance that an insect capable of making lunch out of your home.

I hope I've shed some light on this very important question.

 

Q: Fire ants seem to be the No. 1 pest in Florida. They seem to be indestructible. No matter what I try, it just isn't working, and my kids and pets are being eaten alive. Help!

A: The most fearful species is the imported red fire ant. As the name would suggest, they were imported from South America in the ballast of ships landing in Mobile, Ala., and spreading to most of the Southern states, Texas and have been spotted as far north as Virginia.

The colonies range anywhere from 200,000 to 500,000. (Who counted?) They deliver a nasty bite containing a poison causing pustules which when scratched can become seriously infected.

Some folks have a more serious reaction ­ nausea, vomiting, fever. In a few cases, the bite can cause a victim to go into anaphylactic shock often resulting in death.

I want to spend a few minutes to explain certain steps that you, the homeowner, can take to control these little monsters.

1. Walk the property and determine how many mounds are present. Also, observe whether the mounds are spread far apart or whether they appear to be flat and low to the ground. This determines whether the mounds are monogamous or polygynous. Simply put, monogamous mounds contain one queen. The colony tends to be very aggressive and fight even with each other. This antagonism results in fewer mounds per acre. The polygynous mounds contain not one, not 10, not 100, but 5,000 to 7,000! On the up side, they are far less aggressive, do not fight with other colonies, resulting in many more mounds per acre.

2. The workers seem to be much smaller in the polygynous colony.

There are several very effective methods of controlling successfully executed by following the instructions to the letter. All baits take about the same time to work. It's very important to follow the guidelines. Spread a ring around the outside of the mound in the evening when the temps are cooler. Broadcast the bait throughout the lawn with a hand held spreader. Patience and diligent will win out!

The imported red fire ant can be controlled, but it's a tedious undertaking. A professional might be more practical and perhaps cheaper in the long run. I hope I've given you an overview of this formidable little beast. There are many Web sites dedicated to this subject. Merely type in "fire ants" on your computer. You'll be amazed.

 

Peter Masi, owner/operator of Masi West Coast Pest Control, welcomes your questions and comments. Masi can be reached by e-mail at masipest@aol.com, by phone at 642-1999. Visit his Web site at www.masipest.com.