Ants, Termites Problem? Help.

Stan P · August 04, 2008, 07:26:48 AM

Hello,

I hope everyone is having a great summer. I went camping in the log cabin over the weekend with the kids and was shocked to find a pile of Very fine sawdust on the floor that would have filled 2 shoe boxes. I cleaned it out and found one black ant in the pile but nothing else. I looked up, and could find no holes or insect activity in the wood above me. Does anyone have an idea what it could be? Solutions?

thanks a lot in advance for the advice.

Stan

Tom · August 04, 2008, 12:53:44 PM

Fine sawdust sounds like powderpost beetle, but, two shoe boxes full, in one pile doesn't. I don't know.

The only way I can see that much sawdust being in a pile is if a log or board is infested and the sawdust is falling into a chute that is accumulating the sawdust from many of beetles.

Look up and see if you can trace the source of sawdust.

Thehardway · August 04, 2008, 02:18:44 PM

Do you hear any buzzing? Wood boring bees? Thats a lot of sawdust. I would doubt it's termites as they actually eat and digest the wood. Maybe ants but you would see some ant trails I would think.

Sevin dust at the entrance to the holes should kill ants or bees. Boric acid on the wood should stop beetles or termites.

moonhill · August 04, 2008, 07:29:14 PM

I had a similar situation recently, a shoe box or two worth of wood dust. It looked like I had parked the table saw on that spot and cut a bunch of boards. But I had just swept the floor and cleaned up well. As it was, a week early a huge flying ant colony had dropped in, as I recall. It was on the top of a king post and down the ridge beam, right smack in the middle of the building The owners had the Orkin Man handle them. Tim

Stan P · August 05, 2008, 01:21:34 PM

thank you for the thoughts. I cleaned up and will see if it reappears. the logs were supposed to have all been treated with boric acid solution, so I was surprised this became an issue.

Stan

Raphael · August 06, 2008, 12:24:52 AM

Was it a gausy fine sawdust (clings to itself slightly)? If so you might also try setting out those ant bait traps.

I'd look carefully into the checks of the beam or rafter above that pile. It's sort of a natural starting place for insects. You could see the openings of ant tunnels (or bee tubes) in there.

moonhill · August 06, 2008, 06:12:57 AM

Try a plumb bop right over the pile to locate the source. Tim

Brad_bb · August 20, 2008, 10:55:25 AM

Speaking of Ants, I was watching an old this old house episode where they sprayed something along the outside of the house for carpenter ants. It was a liquid. Anyone have any idea what that could have been. I need to do something more on the farmhouse. I have powdered boric acid that I bought at lowes, Seven is also easy to come by, but I need to make sure I kill the colony. Any help appreciated. Oh, I've bought the ant-block bait too, but I'm not sure if they pay it any attention to it. I find about 1 scout ant per night in the kitchen, once in a while two.

Tom · August 20, 2008, 02:18:12 PM

I mix up Malathion for under the house and on the pillars.

Brad_bb · August 21, 2008, 08:57:33 AM

But on the This Old House, they were saying that what they were applying lasted for 6 months and they carry it back to the nest and groom each other, thus killing the colony. Will Malathion do that, especially since it will dry out where you spary it? My Malathion is a few years old. It has a strong smell. Is it still good?

pappy · August 21, 2008, 09:20:28 AM

Diazion

Tom · August 21, 2008, 11:36:05 AM

Yeah, it's probably still good, but compounds can be created with age that make it dangerous to use. Here's a PDF from APHIS on Malathion.

You will find that there is always someone who will be against something. Sometimes it is for good reason and sometimes it is someone trying to make a name for himself. Always do a little research and make yourself feel comfortable in using chemicals. There is some pretty good information out there.

Diazinon was to have been a replacement for Malathion in the early 1960's but has since been outlawed.

There are ant baits that will be taken to the queen, Amdro is one that was developed for fire ants.

When I spray Malathion, I drench the underside of the house and the pillars. It lasts quite awhile, and is "relatively" safe around humans. There were times when I used it inside on the baseboards and cabinets. I don't do that anymore even though most applicators will tell you it is OK. Allow applications to dry so that you don't ingest the chemical. I have never thought it a good idea to get insecticides, mildicides or herbicides on my skin and definitely wouldn't eat the stuff.

Stan P · September 03, 2008, 03:49:51 PM

it was a very fine dust and twice I found a large black ant in the pile. It looks like the sawdust was falling out from the bottom side of one of our scribed wall logs above the window frame. the dust was rolling down off the log below and falling the 6 feet or so to the ground about 6 inches from the wall. I put a bunch of those ant bait traps out an sprayed beneath the one log with ant spray. I think my best bet will be if the bait works and it gets taken back to eliminate the colony. I will let you know how I make out. thanks. Stan

beenthere · September 03, 2008, 05:43:12 PM

If you find a large black ant (suspect the carpenter ant), then I believe it is an indication of decaying wood (and would suspect a leak letting water in somewhere). Carpenter ants won't attack dry solid wood, from what I hear. They are a good indicator of decay, or wet wood.

Still, bait might at least help the ant problem. I'd look real close for a leak tho.

kenneth · September 04, 2008, 05:26:05 AM

I just went through the same problem at my house. I did a google search and got some good pictures and information. I agree with beenthere they sound like carpenter ants (common problem in this area ) they were in the dry hemlock beams. The information I found warns you not to bait with just anything, if they smell piosion the queen will split the colony ( bigger problem ) if you do kill too many workers she will go into overtime egg production ( even bigger problem ). There are specific baits for carpenter ants, if you use the wrong bait it can be very difficult to get rid of them later. I called a few of the exterminator companies in my area and found Terminex to be the most reasonable. They put out a gel bail ( no spray ) that got rid of the problem in about three days. By using the gel I did not have to worry about my pets or child getting into it. I know there are three different sized black non winged workers in a colony and, two winged sizes.I hope this helps. I strongly suggest profesional help. Good luck.
Ken