......most customers are unaware
that their general home insurance policy does not cover termite damage to
structural timbers........
The facts.....
Formosan subterranean termites are the
most aggressive and destructive timber pests. It can develop
huge nests containing millions of termites aggressively and relentlessly
seeking and devouring structural timbers. It is known
to cause major structural timber damage to homes and buildings within a few
months.
Dry wood termites infest the structural
timbers of buildings, furniture and other dry timbers having less than 12%
moisture content. This is the main reason that our wood is kiln dried to a
ratio not lower than 15%. All kiln dried wood later reabsorbs water from
the atmosphere so as to reach an equilibrium state. Our experience learns
that at arrival at destination the wood shows a moisture content of some 20%,
hence safe to any attack of the dry wood termite (it's just too juicy for
them).
The remedie....
One of the solutions would be the application of a chemical soil treatment,
however,
this requires in-depth expert knowledge and specialized equipment. Even
then, there is no guarantee that the termites will not infest your property
after a long period of say 5 or 10 years after application. A termimesh
system can
be applied or a treatment with a
baiting system both of which require regular inspections and monitoring. The
baiting treatment
may not last longer than 3 to 5 years. With a termite baiting program
application in place there is no absolute guarantee of a long-term protection.
The only absolute long-term protection is the use
of hardwood in combination with none susceptible, or more or less none susceptible
wood species safe from to termite attacks, in
combination with any of the the treatments described above, regardless whether the attacker is
the Formosa termite or the dry wood termite. Any
subterranean termite is dangerous.
There are definitely NO hardwood species
available in Indonesia which provides a 100% protection, however, there
are in principle three wood species available in Indonesia that
provides a more or less protection against termite attacks. These species are:
Djati
Teak, Iron wood (Belian) and Bangkirai (Belau).
NOTE: It is a mistake to belief that Merbau is not on
the list of the termite's menu.
This is only true if this wood is at
least of Class I.
We consider the termimesh system the best and most environmental friendly
system. For more information about the application of this system click
<here>.
Destructive termites in
Hawaii.......
Termites are a serious pest in Hawaii. Areas of high
risk include Aiea, Hilo, Honolulu, Kalua, Kauai, Lahina, Wahiawa and
Wailuku. Most common are the Formosan subterranean termites and the
dry wood termites.
NOTE:
The Hawaiian Counties require that at all times an anti-termite system shall
be applied, either by chemicals treatment or termimesh, regardless of the use of any
hardwood which is not susceptible to termite attacks.
