Jim Rooney On The Level

Q. I have been living in my current home since it was built in 1997. The house sits on approximately one-quarter of an acre with a little more than half of the backyard being a “lot” with a good number of very mature oak trees and some brush. The lot is about five feet higher than the backyard and is set in place by a wood retaining wall which the builder put in when the lot was developed for construction. Since then we have added a wooden fence around the backyard. A few years after moving in I discovered that termites were nesting under one particular tree - they can be seen under rocks and when digging near the tree. At the time my husband and I thought that we had nothing to worry about because they were outside in their natural habitat. Just last year I discovered that the termites were also under some rocks placed around nearby trees (crepe myrtles) which we had planted in the yard. Should we be concerned about this termite colony being so close to the house? Is there anything we can do on our own to exterminate them or should the services of an exterminator be considered? If an exterminator is needed what cost should be expected and how long would services be warranted?

A. I’m not bug expert but I have been around termites and the damage they can do to wooden structures for a very long time. The damage they do to homes nationally probably ranks right after fire and it’s been a policy of every mortgage lender I’ve ever heard of that a home be certified termite and any other wood destroying insect free before a home loan will be granted.

They are insidious little creatures who work 24/7 especially in the warmer months and the busy season is about to commence. They are specialized insects that require a controlled environment which is why they build structures called shelter tubes or tunnels to and from their food source down to the home nest which is located deep in the ground.

Many garden centers and big box home supply stores sell a variety of lawn and garden insect control applications but before you start hurling poison all over your yard I have a suggestion for you. I’m not at all sure you are looking at termites. All the termites I have ever seen were associated with the tubes and tunnels I mentioned earlier and just rolling a rock over and seeing little ant like creatures scuttling around in my mind does not a termite make. Disturb an ant colony and the workers pick up the eggs and run around. The eggs are small white things and that might be what you are seeing. When I see termites away from the house they are usually in a garage, shed, log, woodpile, fence or any other source of cellulose they can find lying around. Before your house is where it is there were trees and the function of termites, along with bacteria and all manner of fungi, is to clean the forest floor and return the wood to soil.

You need to identify the bug you are worrying about. To do that you can capture a few and stick them in a tight empty pill bottle with some rubbing alcohol. Using tape put your name and address on it and mail it, along with a check for $15 made out to the University of Maryland to Maryland Cooperative Extension Service Home and Garden Information Center 12005 Homewood Rd., Ellicott City MD 21042. Or Google them and send them a digital photo of this bug and at no charge they will attempt a visual ID and I was told they have a 95% accuracy rate doing that.

Nevertheless if you are living in a wooden structure in the State of Maryland you need to have a relationship with a professional exterminator. You should have an annual inspection. Call around to various pest control outfits to get an idea of the range of services and pricing. Termites are relentless and can get a hold of your house where you can’t see them and if you let them go too long when they do show themselves it will be very late in the game and the repair costs will far outstrip any preventative measures you think you may have taken in the past.

Keep the mail coming. If you've got a question, tip, or comment let me know. Write "On The Level," c/o The Capital, P.O. Box 3407, Annapolis, MD 21403 or e-mail me at jimrooney@jimrooneyonthelevel.com or inspektor@aol.com.