Here's something we never see in Illinois. Every five years or so, people tent their houses when they see an infestation of termites. People live in "fear" of termites. We have one recurring termite population in our back door which will have to be replaced soon. We put some poison in it for now. There are ground termites and flying termites so you're never safe.
The entire house is tented and poison is blown in. After a couple of days, I think, it's removed and you should be termite free... for a while. Unfortunately, burglars know you're not in and people have been burglarized while their house is being tented. There was a case of burglars dying because they went in and got poisoned by the fumes. They've gotten smarter. They're now coming with gas masks. Sheesh!
Tenting against termites is something I've never seen before. What an aggravation those darned creatures must be.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I could definitely see the dancing ladies in your orchid's blossoms. What a beautiful plant.
Termite tenting is fairly common here in California. My mother-in-law had her condo complex tented a couple of years ago and she had to move out for a few days while the work was being done.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how brazen the burglars are - they're wearing gas masks?! Unbelievable!
Brilliant! That's something I'd never heard of, never even thought about, so something fascinating learnt today.
ReplyDeleteI hate to see anyone die, that's a bit extreme... but, it certainly would seem appropriate for burglers robbing tented houses to gag, sputter, and choke on fumes.
ReplyDeleteServes em right if their eyes get all red and weepy and they can't breathe for a little while.
Having to go through the tenting ordel is enough already... You should at least be able to enter your fresh, termite free abode and find your t.v. and silverware where you left them!
Unfortunately, nowadays we can never underestimate the resourceful of those who want what others have, without having to earn it. There seem to be so many more than there used to be.
ReplyDeleteWe had a house treated for termites, but they just drilled all around the outside (and the floor of some of the inside) walls and deposited the termite-killing poison. They told us it acted as a barrier and would turn the termites away. It seemed to work because we'd have them check once a year and they didn't return.
I thought there was just a period of time when some of the termites could fly (like how some ants can fly for a short time). Are there several kinds of termites in Hawaii?
Again...the winter might be a good thing. I am so afraid of pesticides and I hate using them, but you would have no choice I guess..
ReplyDeletewe had termites once in california but have never worried about them in utah because of the four seasons. there's always some challenge to deal with.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite an intense process!
ReplyDeleteSo do you do the tenting yourself or are there "people" that do that for you? Does that mean that they clean up all the dead bugs too? Ugh. I would not want that job. I hate bugs.
ReplyDeleteJo, I know there's two different kinds of termites but there could be more. I'm learning. You're right, they swarm at only certain times. I used to think it was fun to watch them when I was a child. Now they send a shiver up my spine.
ReplyDeleteJoyce, you do have to hire somebody to do it for you because they have that heavy duty tent and the poison which is quite lethal. I'm dreading the day when we'll have to do the same thing.
Hi Kay!
ReplyDeleteI am blog-hopping from Joyce's "Justified Journey". Great to meet you! I have really enjoyed reading your blog. You have a lovely family!
Termites are the worst! One company here, even recommends that the homeowner hire a security service to protect their property!
I'll be back soon, Chris
Hi Aunty Kay! Nice blog! This is my first time looking at at (I got it from my dad). I just started a blog recently too, so come by for a visit. :)
ReplyDeleteI noticed you posted a picture of Ed in Waimea Canyon...Maggie and I went by there for a very quick visit as well when we were in Kauai for our honeymoon.
Let's see if we can get my mom blogging now. I guess that means she'll first have to learn how to use a computer :)
See you in september.
Brandon Au
(theaus.wordpress.com)
Hi Brandon, I can't believe it! How incredibly cool! This is such a huge surprise and day brightener for us.... not that we need the day to be brighter in Hawaii. Let's just say it was a spirit lifter for sure. You're coming back in September? Fantastic. I can't wait until you get your medical degree and I can ply you with a million questions. Oh heck, why wait? I'll ask you in September, too.
ReplyDeleteBugs creep me out. I don't mind them as much if they stay on the outside. I've had some bee problems this year. Good luck with those termites. The first photo is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I had never heard of "tenting for termites" before.
ReplyDelete