or third story in order to reach suitable food, this being particularly true 

 in shore areas, where high humidities prevail. 



The key to successful control of subterranean terirltes therefore lies in 

 foundation structures which eliminate from the building site a].l scrap 

 wood, which will serve as food for termites and permit an increase in ter- 

 mite populations. It involves construction of impenetrable foundations, 

 and good drainage and ventilation to discourage termite activity, and 

 requires that structural wood be well above the soil or, if it must be in 

 contact, that it be pressure-treated with an approved preservative. How- 

 ever, it must be remembered that T/hile these recoirjnendations are basic, 

 they will not perform with equal effect under any and all conditions and 

 in all localities. For example, on the upper Atlantic coast a structure 

 on a chain wall or pier foundation properly ventilated and drained is in 

 most cases amply protected. On the other hand, in the semi-tropics or 

 tropics, where termites are favored by high humidities and their popular 

 tions are high, these precautions have little value. 



In recent years there has beeii an increasing trend toward construction of 

 all-masonry or concrete structures with very little wood used. This would 

 appear to be an excellent method of termite control, but at present the 

 point is debatable. Unless the foundation is of monolithic construction 

 and not subject to cracking, and unless all holes, pipe chases, etfc. , are 

 properly sealed, hidden iixfestations can result which are more serious than 

 those occurring in conventional structures. Studding, framing, and other 

 wood can be destroyed, and such damage can be remedied only by tearing out 

 units to determine points of termite entry and drilling the concrete floor 

 to poison the soil. Even where no such wood is used, termites can still 

 damage furniture, rugs^ clothing, and other wood and cellulose products. 

 It might be vrell to point out here that they m.ay bore through products 

 other than those containing cellulose. Lead, aluminuia, certain plastics, 

 natural and neoprene rubber, and asphalt are only a fev/ of the materials 

 subterranean termites have been known to penetrate in their search for food. 



Where application of preventive structtiral methods fails to control these 

 insects or where it is impractical, poisoning the soil at points where 

 termites are entering a building may be a highly effective control measure, 

 r-is procedure is widely used, but there is considerable misuse and mis- 

 understanding about effective poisons and methods of application. The 

 poisons used in past years are almost innumerable, and many fallacies exist 

 regarding some of them. 



It has frequently been claimed, for example, that salt will control ter- 

 mites, and, on this premise, that waterfront buildings will not be readily 

 infested. The fallacy of this notion vras evident during a termite inspection 

 in 19U0 at Ft. Hancock on Sandy Hook, Neif Jersey, practically every building 

 including those built at the water's edge having "infestations of varying 

 severity. 



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