spraying for termites (new construction)

[kimo wires]

I am building in Keaau and need to treat the slab for termites. I already have a garden. It's about 60 feet away from where the ground will be treated. do I need worry about it?

[Rob Tucker]

It's a bit hard to say no when the treatment is not specified. If a chemical name was mentioned you could research the advisories and data on that chemical treatment. More info needed.

Punaweb moderator

[StillHope]

Rob,do you know what kind of chemical is being used in most new buildings?

[Rob Tucker]

Actually I don't know. My customers aren't required to do termite treatment of the building site.

[StillHope]

Good answer.[]

[kimo wires]

I haven't hired a company but I will call a few to find out. I would rathar not use any chemicals, but I have heard that if you don't treat the ground you're inviting disaster.

[Rob Tucker]

It is my understanding that treating the building site for termites when building with wood is required by the Building Department.

[StillHope]

If you are building with wood,I don't think you have a choice - it's the requirement.

[Carey]

UH-CTAHR has a non-pesticide product that is a basaltic underlayment that is termite barrier... we researched it 3 years ago & I seem to remember that it was then approved by the county for slab foundations.... don't know about now... the link:
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~entomol/pdf_files/hsp-3.pdf

also a link from UH-CTAHR pesticide tests:
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~entomol/research...radise.htm

[kimo wires]

great information, Mahalo, Everyone needs to read those PDF files.