ants and termites in the north (Yarmouth: real estate, new home, construction)

[cordoba11]

I have looked at a few houses in my search to move to [the county] it has centered in on the extreme northern section. What is the situation with ants crawling and flying, and also termites. A real estate agent told me they're are no termites in northern maine. Let me hear your opinions.

[Bydand]

Real Estate agent is wrong. There are termites in Northern Maine, just not to the extent you would have to deal with them further South. All states except Alaska has subterranean termites, they are just a very slight to ALMOST non-existent problem here. A bigger problem in much older houses is dry-rot. I have seen only one or two homes in 20 years that have found termites up in the County. They are here, just not something to worry about usually.

[cordoba11]

bydand, boy first hand knowledge is the best, i appreciate the low down. I will look forward to what others have to say.

[elston]

How about carpenter ants? I was told that carpenter ants were more of a problem in southern Maine and they are attracted to wet wood.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

The only documented termites in Maine were in York County. That is the only county that requires termite inspections for a mortgage. Any termites that arrived with Air Force families around Loring are long gone now. They can't survive Maine winters.

Yes, carpenter ants like wet wood. They are in all counties in Maine.

[bringselpup]

I have been involved with construction in some form or another for about 30 years. Maine. NH, Vermont, Mass. Some of it extensive renovation of 200+ yr old buildings. Sill and foundation work included.

Moisture ruins wood. Poor design aside, if the building is allowed to fall into disrepair and the elements get in two things will happen. It rots by itself or the ants get in because they love the moist wood and eat it hollow. And once the ants get in the damage they cause makes it easier for more moisture to get in and the whole situation feeds on itself. I've removed feathered pine clapboards that were in good shape and over 150 yrs old because the paint was kept up on the siding.

Not once have I ever run across a termite or their tunnels. I've seen more than my share of ants though and I've seen licensed home inspectors call damage termite damage when it was really just the ants.

[msina]

For ants or termites Boric Acid is a safe, cheap, and efficient product.

Boric acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Boric Acid natural insecticide, Dry Rot treatment

.........just my 2 cents of info.

[Maineah]

We had carpenter ants get into a house we lived in in Yarmouth. My mother just built the place and one year later they had to tear up 1/2 the kitchen sub floor and rebuild it. They also had to replace the sill under the sliding storm door in the same area. It was about $1500 to repair the damage. When they tore up that floor I couldn't believe how many ants were in there. The put the industrial ant spray to them and that pretty much took care of them.

[elston]

I worry about the melting snow on decks right up against the sliders. Is there any preventative steps to stop the carpenter ants from gettin into a new home such as Maineah describes above? Should the house be sprayed on a regular basis?

[elston]

Originally Posted by msina

For ants or termites Boric Acid is a safe, cheap, and efficient product.

Boric acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Boric Acid natural insecticide, Dry Rot treatment

.........just my 2 cents of info.

You are a fountain of useful information! thank you!