RESIDENCES,STRUCTURES
AND
COMMUNITIES
RESIDENCES,
The information and recommendations in this newsletter are applicable to
North Carolina
and may not apply in other areas.
In the aftermath of hurricanes or other similar disasters, insects
often become unwelcome guests in the house. A brief description of
some related pest problems are provided in the articles below.
Holes left by uprooted trees make ideal breeding sites for
mosquitoes. As we enter the fall season, mosquito populations
usually decline, but we may still see activity following the storm.
If the weather remains clear, then these temporary water sources
should dry up quickly and minimize mosquito problems. It is
suggested that as people proceed with clean-up, they should
overturn objects that have collected water. Clearing debris from
drainage ditches will help prevent water from pooling and forming
mosquito breeding sites. The same applies to clogged gutters -
remove debris as soon as possible. Personal protection amounts to
the judicious use of repellents containing Deet. Perspiration from
outdoor clean-up activities reduces the duration of protection
provided by these products. Children and pregnant women should use
minimal amounts of repellents.
When power outages last for some time, perishable foods spoil. Fruit flies, house flies and blow flies will appear around items that are starting to decay and ferment. All perishables that have passed the point of no return need to be stored in a sealable garbage can until it can be picked up, or else carried to a landfill or county disposal site. Also remember that there will also be hungry wildlife, such as raccoons and small rodents. A tight fitting garbage can lid can be your best friend in these instances. Water-soaked lawns, compost piles, etc. will also become home to fungus gnats. The adult insects will likely appear in about 3 to 7 days and will be quite a nuisance. Little can be done with chemicals to deal with these pests.
Also there are a few other potential problems. Carcasses of dead
birds and other animals killed in the storm will attract blow
flies. Damaged septic systems will attract phorid (humpbacked)
flies and moth flies. These small moth-like flies will increase
noticeably around damaged leach fields, damaged sewer pipes (both
under houses or along roads), and other waste system components.
Tree trunks and limbs, as well as construction debris that is left
piled on the property, can quickly become an attractive nesting
site for displaced rats and field mice. In addition, people
involved in cleanup and repairs may carelessly discard food and
beverage items. These quickly become attractive food sources for
these pests. Cleanup should be thorough and complete. Do not
allow piles of debris to remain on the property for too long.
Moisture in the home as a result of the storm can produce a mix of nuisance and potentially serious pest problems. Springtails and mold mites can be found in areas of high humidity (i.e., bathrooms, kitchen counter tops, storage and utility rooms, etc.). Spraying a pesticide is purely a cosmetic approach to the problem. Reducing the moisture permanently is the only true solution.
Heavy rains will likely send millipedes scurrying for high ground,
so don't be surprised to see hordes of millipedes climbing the
outside walls of homes. With soil near saturation with water, I
would advise against soil-applied pesticides. Spraying Sevin or
diazinon along the foundation may help deter the millipedes, but I
would not depend on this being very effective.
With many trees down, particularly older trees that were probably
in poor health, carpenter ants will be searching for new homes.
Water-soaked wood is ideal for carpenter ant nesting. Even small
amounts of damage from flying debris or trees that strike houses
can allow moisture to collect in wood, insulation, roofing paper,
etc. Make a careful and painstakingly slow inspection of your
home, concentrating on interior areas, such as the attic and
crawlspace, as well as the exterior fascia, soffits, eaves,
shingles, etc.
Flooding is not likely to remove the termiticide from around a house unless there is severe soil erosion accompanying the flooding. Along the same line of thought, soil that is deposited along a foundation as a result of nearby flooding and erosion may provide a bridge for termites to cross the termiticide-treated soil. Increased problems from termites would most likely result from creating conditions conducive to termites. For example, water in the crawl space or damage wood that is not repaired properly (e.g., wet insulation or wood) may lead to problems later and may even void your termite protection warranty. In some instances, wood that is weather-damaged or wet for extended periods may result in a secondary termite infestation (i.e., a termite colony with no apparent ground contact). Secondary infestations are rarely, if ever, covered by a termite protection contract. Similarly, there could be problems in the future if the foundation or footing is damaged by flooding, tree roots pulled from the soil, or other similar mechanical disturbances. A crack of only 1/32 to 1/16 inch is more than adequate for termites to enter a block foundation and move unseen into the structure.
Tree stumps and wood debris in the yard will eventually attract termites; that should not be a big surprise, it's nature's way of recycling dead wood. Yes, you really do want termites in your yard, but not in your house.
All of the above scenarios sound frightening, but they are not meant to scare people into rushing to have their house retreated for termites. However, I would strongly recommend getting an inspection done within the next four to six months. Repairs to homes, particularly where the repairs call for excavating soil around the foundation may remove the termiticide treatment. In such an instance, the repair work may void your termite contract. If repairs to your home require disturbance of the soil around the foundation (inside or out), or if you decided to install a drainage system around the house, then make sure you contact your pest control company before the work is even started. Communication is the key to keeping termite problems at a minimum.
While I don't expect any problems with the legitimate pest control
companies in this state, you should also beware of anyone who tries
to convince you that you need to have your house treated. If you
are pressured by such a sales tactic, ask to see the person's pest
control license, certification card or registered technician's
card. If they can't produce one, ask for their office number and
the name of someone with whom you can speak to verify who the
person is. Don't be pressured into getting any pest control
treatments done quickly if you are unsure of what you are being
told. When in doubt, contact the Structural Pest Control Division
of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture at (919) 733-6100.
Moisture problems in the crawlspace can lead to other problems, such as wood-boring beetles and wood-decaying fungi in the floor joists. However, keep a few key facts in mind. Wood-decaying fungi will not grow below the fiber-saturation point (30 percent) of the wood. The likelihood of problems with powderpost beetles and old house borers decreases as the wood moisture approaches 14 percent. Therefore, the application of a pesticide at this point is not the solution to the problem, and we do not recommend the use of borates or any other pesticides as preventive applications for wood-decay or insect pests following such storms. The secret to success is simply to complete effective repairs as soon as possible and reduce moisture in the crawlspace. It may take some time to get the wood moisture down, but it is not impossible. Here are a few hints:
For additional advise on moisture control/reduction in storm- damaged areas, I would recommend contacting Sarah Kirby or Sandy Wiggins, Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University (Telephone: (919) 515-2770).
Note: If homeowners have questions regarding information they received about pest problems in their homes following weather
disasters, you can refer them to me (Telephone: (919) 515-8881).
Larry Jahn, Wood and Paper Science, North Carolina State
University, is not available at this time, so you can also refer
questions concerning wood-decaying fungi and borate treatments to
me. However, please tell your clients to be patient, I am dealing
with my own set of hurricane-related problems and have limited time
to return calls. The information provided above, along with information on yellow jackets provided by Steve Bambara, Extension Entomologist, North Carolina State University, are in the Insect Note Hurricane-Related Pest Problems Around the Home.
Web page last updated on September 16, 1996 by
Stephen J. Toth, Jr..
This Web version is a cooperative effort between the North Carolina
Cooperative Extension Service and the
Center for Integrated Pest Management