Rigid Board insulation in South Carolina: Its Impact on Damage, Inspection and Control of Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

A total of 225 pest control companies was randomly selected from the 315 members of the South Carolina Pest Control Association to determine their opinion on the impact of rigid board construction on termite control. Of those surveyed, 77% conducted inspections and/or treatments for subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae, Reticulitermes and Coptotermes spp.) in South Carolina. The focus of survey questions was on demographics, occurrence of rigid board insulation, prevalence of rigid board insulation damage and structural damage, and treatment of structures when rigid board insulation was present. Results indicated termite infestations associated with rigid board insulation are not uncommon; 34% of the companies reported the presence of rigid board insulation on structures that have been treated or inspected for termites. Companies chose not to treat structures with rigid board insulation 43% of the time. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the companies reported damage to rigid board insulation due to insects other than termites. In addition, 12% of the respondents have been sued because of termite damage hidden by rigid board insulation. The primary recommendation to solve these problems is to remove a small gap of insulation, a vision strip, just above the soil level along the perimeter of a structure.