Prevent and Eliminate Termites: UTHBA and Arrow Exterminators
By CAROLE KONKEL

Arrow Exterminators, Inc, sponsored the UnionTowns HBA July meeting with guest speaker Sammy Baker. While the focus was mainly on pretreatment of termites in new construction, Baker also explained the latest technology for preventive maintenance on existing homes, as well.

"Termites cause more damage than all fires, storms and earthquakes combined," stated Baker.

Baker, Vice President of Builder Services for Arrow Exterminators, speaking specifically on pretreatment in new construction, stated that Borates are used in liquid wood pretreats.

"It is sprayed on the framing prior to insulating and before the mechanical building crew comes in and is typically the least expensive of termite treatment. A lot of consumers are afraid of chemicals, but Borates are naturally occurring mineral salts that are essential to growing plants and nutritionally important to a healthy human diet. While borates are harmless to humans, they are toxic to insects. Borate products have been used safely for more than 100 years. In fact, borates can be found throughout your own home in a vast array of common products and materials." http://www.ufpi.com/product/ borate/borevery.htm

Continuing, Baker explains how conventional liquid treatments work by applying a liquid barrier under and around the structure's foundation, hence subterranean termites are denied entry and forced to seek other food sources or starve. Baker explains that Termidor is one of the most thoroughly reviewed and tested termite controls in history. It is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and was the first termite insecticide to meet the high standards of the new Food Quality Protection Act. Termidor binds tightly to the soil in which it is applied, so there is no need to worry about leaching through rainfall or irrigation. The world's most effective termite control, it works up to 6 times faster than termite bait/monitoring systems. In over eight years of field trials with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, Termidor has eliminated 100 percent of subterranean termites in all tests, in all geographic locations. No other product can make this claim. And Termidor is effective in any soil type or climate in the United States.

The termite baiting systems offers an alternative to the conventional liquid treatment. The Sentricon System is the best approach for protecting structures from subterranean termites because it eliminates the colony, while being non-disruptive to property owners. This treatment involves positioning baiting stations (also known as monitoring stations) in the soil around a structure's exterior perimeter. Once the stations are installed, they are monitored on a monthly or quarterly basis (depending upon whether the treatment is curative or preventive) by Arrow representatives.

Baker also announced that Arrow Exterminators also has a Mosquito Prevention and Control Program. Though new to the Towns and Union area, with an office in Blairsville, Baker stated Arrow Exterminators has been around since 1964 with 870 employees, and territory covering 9 states. Arrow Exterminators is a full-service company specializing in Pest Control Services, Termite Protection, New Construction Treatments, Real Estate WDO Reports/Letters, Wildlife Control, and Wildlife Exclusion Services. Contact Sales Inspector John Martel 706-745-0550 for more information.

The Union Towns Home Builders Association, affiliated with NAHB, regards itself as responsible leaders in skill, integrity, and ethics. If you would like to become a member, or would like a member directory call 706-379-2194 or visit our new website at www.UnionTownsHBA.org.