Termites in St. Lucia

[massnspace]

We are in the process of making an offer on an older sailboat in St. Lucia.

We have reason to believe the boat may have had some termites “in the locker” (???) at some point….

Questions:

1. What are some ways to determine whether or not the boat has (or had) terminates? Looking for pinholes and droppings? Any other methods?

2. If the boat has, or had, termites, is there any way to determine conclusively if any structural part has been compromised beyond a standard repair? Just poke into bulkheads to determine their level of compromise?

3. If termites, and if not too bad, how hard would it be on that island (or nearby island) to find an exterminator to tent and gas the boat, which I understand is the only real way to eradicate them?

Thanks for any advice.

David
Seattle

[Montanan]

Locate a termite inspector and exterminator in St. Lucia.

[Snore]

Wood boring insects generate "frass", or poop. The frass looks like the black toasted poppy you get on a NY Bagel. Sometimes the color can change, based on the type of wood the critters are eating.

Wood boring insects needs two things- wood (duh!) and fresh water. Without either they cannot survive. You can exterminate all you want, but that will not solve the problem. If you kill the living bugs, there are still eggs. The eggs will hatch, and use the water leak to digest the wood and much away at the sailboat buffet.

The wild cards are--- did they get into the core between the fiberglass? Did they weaken any bulkheads?


The boat has to be a hell of a deal, you have to be willing to deal with the pain of exorcising the bugs, and fixing any damage.


Unless you are REAL good, I would walk away.

PS- you have better shot of an ice cream sunday in hell than getting a fair bug inspetion on one of the island.

[massnspace]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Locate a termite inspector and exterminator in St. Lucia.

Yes, I have tried, but not as easy as just “doing it”. Several of my calls have gone unanswered, and I am nit even sure I am dialing the right numbers.

Anyone have direct experience with a person/company on that island?

[massnspace]

Originally Posted by Snore

Wood boring insects generate "frass", or poop. The frass looks like the black toasted poppy you get on a NY Bagel. Sometimes the color can change, based on the type of wood the critters are eating.

Wood boring insects needs two things- wood (duh!) and fresh water. Without either they cannot survive. You can exterminate all you want, but that will not solve the problem. If you kill the living bugs, there are still eggs. The eggs will hatch, and use the water leak to digest the wood and much away at the sailboat buffet.

The wild cards are--- did they get into the core between the fiberglass? Did they weaken any bulkheads?


The boat has to be a hell of a deal, you have to be willing to deal with the pain of exorcising the bugs, and fixing any damage.


Unless you are REAL good, I would walk away.

PS- you have better shot of an ice cream sunday in hell than getting a fair bug inspetion on one of the island.

Yes, the boat is a good deal (very good deal, I think), so we may risk it, but obviously not a good deal if it is eaten away to nothing.

Recent survey (July/2024) has NO mention of any termites….but…what if the owner just vacuumed away any “frass” 10 minutes before the survey?

[barnakiel]

Yes. Holes. Droppings. Yes.


A grp or metal boat unlikely to have structural issues (unless the mast is supported with a wood post(-s) as it is in many boats.


A wooden boat ... well.


My friends' boat got infested while hauled out in Trinidad Chaguaramas. One year down the route they were forced to replace big chunks of interior - trim and deco (solid wood) but no walls (plywood). So they too seem to have a preference - solid wood rather than glue.


My friends treat the issue with syringes filled with factor X and this seems to kinda work. The process slowed down.


b.