drywood termites/treated ply?

**kathyh** · 15th July 2004, 10:07 PM

ok - Im banging my head against a previously infested floor, what do I do?!!!!
I bought an old place with the hardwood floors covered with masonite. When I pulled all the masonite up the floors had been badly damaged in parts by dry wood termites - those rotten little beggers that fly in and you cant stop them except by treating them when they are found. :mad: As they dont go to ground there is no effective barrier treatment for them. Now the floors are not great and I would paint them rather than sanding them back anyway but I am considering ripping the hardwood tongue and groove up and replacing with treated ply and varnishing it. (yes,dry wood termites eat hardwood!)Does anyone have any experience with these pests and any good news stories about stopping/discouraging them from visiting? Any ideas as to the effectiveness of the treated ply in stopping them? They have also been having a field day with the verandah posts that were put up with the sap wood intact (Duhhhh!) They arent (as yet) touching the core of the posts so I am hoping to avoid replacing them at this stage. I am considering just continually coating them with sump oil as a deterent?? They have previously been done with Creasote and that hasnt slowed them down any. Obviously I am getting them treated as they are found but I am keen to investigate any avenues to make them unwelcome including using every termite proof building material I can find!! Any sugestions responses at this stage would be gratefully received! Thanks in advance folks!
Kathyh

**journeyman Mick** · 15th July 2004, 10:35 PM

Kathy,
as far as I know even dry wood termites need access to fresh water. I once replaced a section of mast in a boat that was permanently moored and had the little buggers merrily chewing away. They had access to fresh water in the bilge of the boat. Check that you have no plumbing leaks that are supplying them with water. I did a bathroom about 6 months ago where termites had chewed into the fibre washer between the shower tap body and the combination (inside the wall of the shower) and this was keeping them supplied.
It is possible to get CCA treated ply and they definitely won't eat this.
They are a very slow termite and to produce the damage you speak of must have been in there for years. The masonite was probably part of the problem as it would have shielded them.
Sump oil won't stop termites at all. Sump oil mixed with creosote will. It needs to be reapplied every 6-12 months. It does smell very nasty though and will burn your skin if you get it on you and are exposed to sunlight afterwards.
Generally with these termites treatment of the infected area (possibly requiring a tent over the whole house) and subsequent continued inspections should keep you safe. You may need to look at clearing an area around the house of all dead timber and any infected trees.

Mick

**kathyh** · 19th July 2004, 02:18 PM

Again, thanks Mick. These guys definately dont need water in areas of high humidity - they get enough from what they are eating and the environment. Thats why they are such a pain as the barrier treatments dont work. I will try to find out a little more about the treated ply. It sounds like it may be the way to go. I have completely cleared around the house and removed all plant material etc. but they must be fairly prolific in this area to be constantly re-infecting the place. I think you might be right with mixing the cresote/sump oil. It would sure deter me - it will be bad enough painting on!

Wish me luck!
Kathyh

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