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SkiprJohn · 31-05-2011, 11:43

I've been rebuilding my boat for more years than I want to admit and the very latest was a flying termite invasion.

I'd been noticing signs of them from time to time but really got taken aback when I saw one of my major bulkheads start to get flimsy.

Here's the solution: A TERMITE CIRCUS I called Terminix. They came over with a big tent and a long tube to pump gas into the boat. The tent stayed on a bit over 24 hours and the boat got aired out. They said they can tent a boat that's in the water too but its a bit more difficult sealing of your masts, shrouds and stays.

easterly38 · 31-05-2011, 11:57

Whoa. I was the only one. When I started working on our boat I found some serious termite damage in various areas. It took a while to kill them all, but we got'em. Unfortunately, we have formosa termites in our area and they can eat through stainless steel. Now we keep a good eye out for them and spray the boat fairly regularly with a home insecticide.

Unicorn Dreams · 31-05-2011, 12:07

My parents boat has termites and they said they didn;t need to tent there;s, in the water.
They just closed the boat up and pumped the gas in thru a vent...

**hummingway** · 31-05-2011, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by easterly38

Whoa. I was the only one. When I started working on our boat I found some serious termite damage in various areas. It took a while to kill them all, but we got'em. Unfortunately, we have formosa termites in our area and they can eat through stainless steel. Now we keep a good eye out for them and spray the boat fairly regularly with a home insecticide.

While formosa are the terribly destructive I'm guessing the stainless steel comment is a joke? They use steel mesh as a barrier against them.

SkiprJohn · 31-05-2011, 13:45

Unfortunately my boat has the cabin top removed so I couldn't seal it up. That's why the circus tent. The upside was that I got to stack all the lumber I was going to use while rebuilding under the boat on the cradle and it got gassed too. Mahagony, teak, oak, fir and different grades of plywood.
kind regards,

SkiprJohn · 31-05-2011, 13:51

The formosa brand of termite is the most destructive if I remember right. Usually they come up through the ground but if they are in a piece of wood and you use it for construction on your boat then you got 'em. They like all kinds of wood. Nothing is exempt but their least favorite is teak.
kind regards,

Unicorn Dreams · 31-05-2011, 13:51

Had a friend's parents tent their home.

Came home from school one day and thought the circus was in town....

**s/v Jedi** · 31-05-2011, 14:07

from wikipedia :

Quote:

Cabrera et al. (2001) found that "Like many other termites, the Formosan termite feeds on wood and other materials that contain cellulose, such as paper and cardboard. Bacteria and other single-celled organisms live in the termite digestive system and digest cellulose providing nutrition and energy for these termites. Although they feed mostly on wood, they will eat other cellulose-containing materials such as cardboard and paper. However, they are known to chew through foam insulation boards, thin lead and copper sheeting, plaster, asphalt, and some plastics."

ciao!
Nick.

SkiprJohn · 03-06-2011, 11:53

Well, if copper sheeting and plastic is on their diet why not stainless steel?

Hard to believe they'll go through lead, copper and asphalt.

Beware of bringing them aboard in cardboard boxes or wood crates that have been on the ground in the tropics!!!!

kind regards,

Bash · 03-06-2011, 12:03

I hope we get photos of the finished product once you get the cabin top back on.

zeehag · 03-06-2011, 12:38

i killed th few i had with range oil and wd40....... not so pricey......and no more termites..LOL goood luck.

sailorboy1 · 03-06-2011, 13:22

Formosa termites; damn that's just scary thinking there is a special termite for Fromosa boats!

I did an internet search and was happy to find out there wasn't a Hunter termite!

zeehag · 03-06-2011, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

Formosa termites; damn that's just scary thinking there is a special termite for Fromosa boats!

I did an internet search and was happy to find out there wasn't a Hunter termite!

i am glad i used formosa orange oil and formosa wd40 on mine...LOL....

mjwarner · 03-06-2011, 14:03

As soon as I saw the Formosa termite reference, I thought of you Zee. Glad you have vigilant with the Formosa oil and Special Edition Formosa WD40! I have heard it is legendary!