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Re: Insulated Concrete Forms and Termites

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Other/Misc
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 14 Jun 2002
Time: 10:43 PM

Comments

You have an insulated concrete form home and are experiencing termite infestation. The company you mention, PrestoX, is a pest management company specializing in a range of pest control situations. PrestoX and others are also authorized installers of the Sentricon^® Termite Colony Elimination System from Dow AgroSciences.

According to the manufacturer, "Sentricon is an innovative baiting system that acts like a security system, providing continuous defense. After eliminating attacking colonies, the Sentricon System guards structures by monitoring for future invasions. As a long-term solution that's easy on the environment, the Sentricon System is the only subterranean termite protection your house will ever need."

Traps in the form of locking plastic baiting tubes are installed around the house. When a colony is discovered after periodic inspection of the traps, a baiting agent is installed in the traps called Recruit II. The active ingredient, hexaflumuron, is one in a class of chitin synthesis inhibitors that stunt insect growth, eventually causing death. Over time, the entire colony is wiped out, leaving the home free of subterranean termite infestations. Since colonies can spring up again, Sentricon, like any pest management solution, requires on-going monitoring and replenishment. The Sentricon system is considered to be environmentally safe as the growth inhibitor is used sparingly, and only when necessary, to control a colony. Often, as little as 1 gram of active ingredient is sufficient to eliminate a termite colony.

However, not all experts and consumers agree that Sentricon has been successful in eliminating subterranean termites. Some argue that Sentricon has been primarily a money-making campaign, with the University of Florida, and its primary inventor, Dr. Nan-Yao Su, being primary beneficiaries in addition to the company that markets it, Dow AgroSciences. Due to the restricted reselling of Sentricon, services can cost several thousand dollars, with annual recurring maintenance fees.

As with many products and treatments, the practical results are usually somewhere in between the manufacturer's claims and consumer complaints and testimonials. The Sentricon system has proven effective in certain situations, assuming proper guidelines are followed. However, not all consumers are satisfied with the results either. Generally, termite management requires a range of techniques starting with principles of good drainage and proper building detail.

It is also important in an ICF home, to cut the exterior insulation down to the bare concrete for several inches above grade. This termite barrier allows fast visual inspection of termite tubes, which is often the first sign of an infestation anyway. This compares to liquid termiticides which are poured along the foundation perimeter.

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