A couple of members suggested I post about our white ant infestation here, then give some progress reports as time goes on. So here we go with report #1.
Play-Pen is a Seafarer Ventura 17, and we've owned her for about 3 years. When Ross first brought her home I doubted whether she'd ever be seaworthy, but a new transom and some TLC saw her in the water for Easter 2003.
During a few early camping trips we carried fire wood (& timber tarp poles [smiley=shocked2.gif] ) in her. As time went on the tarp poles were replaced with metal ones and the carrying of fire wood ceased when our young fella got a tinnie. White ant tracks were later noticed under the bunks in the cabin from time to time. On each occasion the tracks were removed and the boat interior sprayed with pesticide. A nest was never found, but as time went on it became apparent that there had to be one somewhere.
Someone had mentioned that white ants don't like salt water so during our recent camping trip (Crusoe Is, 30th Dec 2005 - 7th Jan 2006) Ross removed the bungs and sank her to floor level for a couple of hours, hoping to drown the suckers that had began to invade the floor or at least flush them out before they got into the stringers.
A week later when she was pulled out of the shed, there were hundreds of the critters crawling all over the carpet.
Yesterday, the fuel tank, seats and bunk cushions were removed, carpet ripped up and some inspection holes cut out.
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And this is what we saw! [smiley=shocked2.gif] [smiley=shocked2.gif]
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It left Ross wondering what to do next
He rang a mate who had worked in the pest industry. The mate thought they'd be a drywood termite as the more common termites (white ants) need contact with soil and moisture. Then added "If they are a particular breed of drywood termite the boat will have to be wrapped and fumigated before any further work takes place."
Searching the web I found this on the qld dpi website - The West Indian drywood termite is a notifiable disease under the Diseases in Timber Act. Necessary treatment of this termite is presently undertaken and supervised by the government, without cost to the householder. Tent fumigation of buildings is used to eradicate this pest (Figures 4 and 5). http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/forestry/5026.html
Great!! Well at least it was gonna be free
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Originally Posted by Brejen
I think I should keep the beer fridge well stocked for awhile ;-)
, look forward to seeing what transpires.
to inspect the house for $250. He cleared the whole house as free of them and went on his way. The next day I went back to further inspect the area I showed him that showed signs of activity. Peeling back a small section of wood panel from the wall showed a BIG nest of the buggers >
.
.... it was time to start carving up the cabin. 