zyus_2012 Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Could some expert shed some light on the age of this drilled hole for termite treatment. The hole was drilled down into the basement ground. The door frame next to it has termite damages. Click to Enlarge 40.45 KB I am just concerned with whether the hole is > 35 yrs old, or is it much younger and recent. As I'm thinking the tools and technologies used to drill back in the 70's might be different from those used today, so the size of the hole, the edge, the shape etc. might offer a clue to its age? Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 What's the concern about the age of that hole? Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 My guess is that he wants to know when the last treatment was. The more pressing question is are the bugs active now? You need a local bug guy to look for himself and tell you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 I use the standards stated by the NPMA-33 form: Treatment Recommendation Guidelines Regarding Subterranean Termites: FHA and VA require treatment when any active infestation of subterranean termites is found. If signs of subterranean termites --- but no activity --- are found in a structure that shows no evidence of having been treated for subterranean termites in the past, then a treatment should be recommended. A treatment may also be recommended for a previously treated structure showing evidence of subterranean termites -- but no activity -- if there is no documentation of a liquid treatment by a licensed pest control company within the previous five years unless the structure is presently under warranty or covered by a service agreement with a licensed pest control company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyus_2012 Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Thank you guys for your replies!!! Yes, I agree that a termite inspection and treatment is advisable. Actually, my concern is really this: from pure technical perspective, can any expert eyes [:-angel] tell the rough age of this hole? i chanced onto this other article (http://pestcemetery.com/termite-drill-marks/) which suggested that different drilling techniques were employed 30 yrs ago vs more recent... so I'm curious if this is true [?] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidlord Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Was there more than 1 hole? I would have to assume if it was 35 years old if would have filled up with debris by now. We seal the holes (plastic plugs) after a treatment in these parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtblum Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 About the only difference I can think of between a hammer drill from 35 years ago and now is SDS bits and a keyless chuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 This is a quote from the article: Ms. Smith, the drill marks in your crawl space weren?t made from a modern termite hammer drill. These were made with a hammer and a chisel and then chemical was pumped in. I?d say this job was done over 30 years ago just by the way they were drilled, maybe longer.? I drilled slabs and foundations for a termite company in the summer of 1977. We were not using a friggin hammer and chisel then!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyus_2012 Posted January 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 plastic plugs? something like the 2nd hole at the bottom of the picture? (that hole was accidentally captured in the pic ). If I remember correctly, I did see something filled that hole down inside, but just not evenly leveled. My pest inspector confirmed hole without cap to be termite treatment hole. I'm not sure if the 2nd one is also for termite?? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 Thank you guys for your replies!!! Yes, I agree that a termite inspection and treatment is advisable. Actually, my concern is really this: from pure technical perspective, can any expert eyes [:-angel] tell the rough age of this hole? i chanced onto this other article (http://pestcemetery.com/termite-drill-marks/) which suggested that different drilling techniques were employed 30 yrs ago vs more recent... so I'm curious if this is true [?] No. You misread the article. It didn't say that different drilling techniques were used 30 years ago. It showed one picture where holes in CMUs were made with a hammer & chisel instead of a drill. That doesn't mean that *all* holes were made that way. There's no way to tell from a picture how old the hole is. There might not be a way to tell even if we were there. The second hole, at the bottom of the picture, looks as if it's stuffed with a lead liner to accept a screw or bolt. Might there once have been a wall here with those holes used to secure the bottom plate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 A Hammer and chisel hole would be all dished and ragged around the top, (like somebody hammered the concrete with a chisel, eh?) That hole was drilled with an electric hammer drill, maybe even 50 years ago. I would cut a chunk out of that door frame and see for myself if the termites are using it for a highway to the first floor. Or just go ahead and have the place treated again, because it probably needs it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlparham Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 Could some expert shed some light on the age of this drilled hole for termite treatment. The hole was drilled down into the basement ground. The door frame next to it has termite damages. Click to Enlarge 40.45?KB I am just concerned with whether the hole is > 35 yrs old, or is it much younger and recent. As I'm thinking the tools and technologies used to drill back in the 70's might be different from those used today, so the size of the hole, the edge, the shape etc. might offer a clue to its age? Thanks!!! It really does not matter. If there is a termite bond pay to have it tranfered to your name. If there is not a bond have the property treated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 What's with the rush to pump chemicals into the ground before determining if there are any termites that need to be killed? I've seen many termite infestations easily and permanently fixed by correcting the conditions allowing/inviting the bugs into the building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 Bill, who provides that type of service, along with a guarantee? And what does the permanent fix consist of? Up here in North Jersey the chemicals just get pumped into the ground, or bait stations installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 Bill, who provides that type of service, along with a guarantee? And what does the permanent fix consist of? Up here in North Jersey the chemicals just get pumped into the ground, or bait stations installed. I guess I'm fortunate to have worked with some good repair contractors that can fix any damage on old buildings. Then, they have enough sense to eliminate any/all the conditions that allowed the infestation. Add some common sense regular maintenance advice to the owner and re-infestation can be avoided. In my experience, there's been many, many situations where some very simple tasks can keep the termites from entering a building. I've dealt with active wood-destroying insect infestations in every one of my property purchases. Each one was quickly and completely eliminated by correcting conducive conditions - without any pesticides and never a re-infestation. Our company works with 3 very professional firms that do our WDI inspections. They do very thorough inspections and offer guarantees without selling soil injection treatments for every suspected "problem". I don't know the exact figures, but it's not very often that a treatment is deemed necessary. I guess maybe pumping more (and sometimes unnecessary) chemicals into industrialized North Jersey area soil would go unnoticed []. Over 85% of my residential inspections have potable water supplied from a well in close proximity to the home. Most of these clients also have concerns over toxicity to their livestock and/or pets. This reminds me of some medical professionals only prescribing meds for every ailment, while ignoring well documented facts that some medical conditions can be virtually eliminated by other common sense methods -like proper type and amount of nutrition and appropriate exercise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Amaral Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 The problem is the NPMA-33 form 'comment' that Neal Lewis mentioned.. it's out there.. in print and tends to be the final word in a RE transaction.. On the other hand, Bill Kibble is correct.. for an 'owned property not under a transaction' process.. It depends on the situation.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyus_2012 Posted January 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 I really enjoy reading all your replies. Very informative and interesting Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 I see those holes all the time. I tend to take comfort that at least some effort has been applied toward termite prevention. It certainly does not indicate that there ever was an infestation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtblum Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 What is the thing at the bottom of the picture that looks like the remains of a snap tie? Right below the other hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 I see those holes all the time. I tend to take comfort that at least some effort has been applied toward termite prevention. It certainly does not indicate that there ever was an infestation. Are you saying it could be treated as a preventive measure? Doubtful around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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