......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 termi-mesh 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 or
termi-mesh application in place there is no absolute guarantee of a long-term protection.
The only absolute long-term protection is the use
of hardwood not susceptible to termites, whether or not in
combination with any of the the treatments described above, regardless whether the attacker is
the Formosa termite or the dry wood termite.
There are in principle three wood species available in Indonesia that
provides full 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 or II. For more information about these wood species click:
Wood Species
Our houses and gazebos are built from one of these wood pecies, or a
combination depending on the client's
preferred choice.
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 termi-mesh, regardless of the use of any
hardwood which is not susceptible to termite attacks.
