Termites!
- Thread starter SeanMorey
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This is the second time this week Ive heard of this. I have a friend who is cruising down in Panama and found out he has termites. Sounds like they are munching the wood core of the deck around the hatches. I'd kill em fast ! and the eggs too.
Fortunately, a boat is a relatively small space and easy to fumigate...unless you're living aboard.
i don't know anything about termites but carpender ants are attracted to soft, rotting wood and can be the symptom of the problem rather than the disease. maybe you have some hidden, soft rotting wood that is attracting them.
One day I notice a carpenter ant hanging around my ice box and wondered how the hell did he get on board 
, squashed him and was on the lookout for more......told the story to my dock neighbor and he found one hanging around outside his all teak Nauticat, we had just came back from a weekend and stayed at a marina over by the beach in Fire Island and both of us figured thats where we picked up the stowaways but a dock is a great place for the little critters to live with an unlimited supply of food
, squashed him and was on the lookout for more......told the story to my dock neighbor and he found one hanging around outside his all teak Nauticat, we had just came back from a weekend and stayed at a marina over by the beach in Fire Island and both of us figured thats where we picked up the stowaways but a dock is a great place for the little critters to live with an unlimited supply of food
Same Experience
A surveyor on a boat sale identified what he said were termites on one of my boats in Marina del Rey. I looked all over to see what he was referring to and found some bugs around the plywood platform the water heater was mounted on. Anyhow, it turned into another annoying experience with these dorks.
The termite inspector refused to consider anything other than a $2K tent job requiring the boat to be hauled. I called many others who refused to come out since I had already talked to one. I even chased a couple of exterminator trucks to offer cash. They would not do the job, telling me (in Calif) it was illegal for them to treat without a licensed inspector having first evaluated the job. I finally talked to the buyer who agreed the whole thing was ridiculous. I called the exterminator back and told him he could spray if he wanted the job and that the new owner agreed. He whined and said he would not guarantee the job. I told him we could care less. He had one of his guys spray for $500. Took all of 30 minutes.
I would suggest doing it yourself first. There is some very good product available on a DYI basis. Go to HD or Lowes and check with them. If it does not work, be prepared to be frustrated, but lay out what is and is not acceptable to the inspector before they write up their report. I might try one of the Orange Oil guys first. They have ads on KFI. You can probably go to their website to get the info.
Good luck!
A surveyor on a boat sale identified what he said were termites on one of my boats in Marina del Rey. I looked all over to see what he was referring to and found some bugs around the plywood platform the water heater was mounted on. Anyhow, it turned into another annoying experience with these dorks.
The termite inspector refused to consider anything other than a $2K tent job requiring the boat to be hauled. I called many others who refused to come out since I had already talked to one. I even chased a couple of exterminator trucks to offer cash. They would not do the job, telling me (in Calif) it was illegal for them to treat without a licensed inspector having first evaluated the job. I finally talked to the buyer who agreed the whole thing was ridiculous. I called the exterminator back and told him he could spray if he wanted the job and that the new owner agreed. He whined and said he would not guarantee the job. I told him we could care less. He had one of his guys spray for $500. Took all of 30 minutes.
I would suggest doing it yourself first. There is some very good product available on a DYI basis. Go to HD or Lowes and check with them. If it does not work, be prepared to be frustrated, but lay out what is and is not acceptable to the inspector before they write up their report. I might try one of the Orange Oil guys first. They have ads on KFI. You can probably go to their website to get the info.
Good luck!
Fumigate, luckily you won't need to put up a tent. Get a licensed exterminator involved as only they can obtain the good stuff.
There is a wonderful new resource called the internet. So I went searching for "Dry wood termites and found this link: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1232/
orange oil is good also and so is wd40 for termites---put the wd40 into the holes you find--fumigate is in lost angeles area--there are many termites there--includes mdr.....and san diego.......in masts, use wd40 and in sprits also-----i hve to watch my formosa as there is a ct41 near me with termiotes and in port of lost angeles there is a lumber yard with them in it....goooodluck.....
termites are finicky. I have seen 3- 2x10 timbers spiked together and one of them distroyed while the other two were unharmed. I think that if they don't like the taste they leave it alone.
Zeehag, there is even a species called "Formosa Termites". Yer done before you start.
Zeehag, there is even a species called "Formosa Termites". Yer done before you start.
What kind of boat "woods" are subject to attack by termites or ants?
- balsa core?
- teak? ash? mahogany?
- any other trim woods?
- marine plywood?
just curious - I'd never considered bug infestation before. About the only pests I've had aboard are spiders (and raccoons - one night only, fortunately)
Our boat is mostly solid fiberglass, with only a bit of core in the deck and cockpit floor. Also we get a long cold winter here.
- balsa core?
- teak? ash? mahogany?
- any other trim woods?
- marine plywood?
just curious - I'd never considered bug infestation before. About the only pests I've had aboard are spiders (and raccoons - one night only, fortunately)
Our boat is mostly solid fiberglass, with only a bit of core in the deck and cockpit floor. Also we get a long cold winter here.
omg formosa termites--yukkk---prolly just eat formosa boats lol....like mine .....termites are finicky. I have seen 3- 2x10 timbers spiked together and one of them distroyed while the other two were unharmed. I think that if they don't like the taste they leave it alone.
Zeehag, there is even a species called "Formosa Termites". Yer done before you start.
..i havent seen termites in the cores of boats....just in the trims and interior woods--interior of a chris craft commander in lost angeles, i lived on that boat----and the exterior of many boats in lost angeles and san diego---they seem to like any wood they can fly to--lol....goood luck ....
Unless it is required by your boat loan lender or insurer you have no need for a termite inspection and certification. You can recognize evidence of drywood termites easily, just look for the little wood pellets (poop). So just go to home depot and get some Ortho Home defense....... spray the heck out of the infested areas and button up the boat for a few days.... That's what I meant when I said "fumigate"
BTW, it is unlikely that one would find subterranean termites on a boat. heh, heh.
BTW, it is unlikely that one would find subterranean termites on a boat. heh, heh.
In that case the recommended treatment is to drill through the foundation (hull) and inject the fumigant directly into the ground allowing it to permeate the soil near the nest. This will solve the pest problem....... but create a new one..... which would undoubtedly subject the owner to much ridicule.Only if you are hard aground for a long period.
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