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Home > Archive > Building and Construction > March 2007 > Carpenter Ants
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| Bob Stanley - Handy Man 2007-03-20, 5:25 pm |
| Hey Guys -
I'm having one heck of a time finding out how to protect exterior-
mounted foam-board from carpenter ant attack without re-creating the
Love Canal in my back yard. Given our foundation's proximity to the
water table, and our well proximity, we want to use "alternative"
method(s) to protect our house while not adding poisons to our water.
I've exhausted what I consider to be the usual suspects: Google web
and groups, plus a few university and commercial sites - even Bob
Villa, but to no avail.
Anyone out there know of "alternative" techniques that work? What can
and can't the pesky critters chew through (fiberglass, metal,
plastics, asphalt, etc.)?
- Bob
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| longshot 2007-03-21, 9:25 am |
|
"Bob Stanley - Handy Man" <watchtower.wireless@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1174423065.198579.271320@l75g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> Hey Guys -
> I'm having one heck of a time finding out how to protect exterior-
> mounted foam-board from carpenter ant attack without re-creating the
> Love Canal in my back yard. Given our foundation's proximity to the
> water table, and our well proximity, we want to use "alternative"
> method(s) to protect our house while not adding poisons to our water.
> I've exhausted what I consider to be the usual suspects: Google web
> and groups, plus a few university and commercial sites - even Bob
> Villa, but to no avail.
>
> Anyone out there know of "alternative" techniques that work? What can
> and can't the pesky critters chew through (fiberglass, metal,
> plastics, asphalt, etc.)?
> - Bob
the only thing that works is those granules you can sprinkle out that they
carry back to the nests. but it will add "poisons" to your water. that's
what we do
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| Dennis 2007-03-21, 8:25 pm |
| One of the reasons that foam insulation is prohibited within 6" of the
ground is because termites use it as a "channel" into the home. Carpenter
ants use it for the same purpose, but rarely cause problems (unless the
infection is heavy). Chemicals are not the cure, removing the foam is the
only real cure. Can you remove that portion of foamboard down to (and
slightly below) ground level?
"Bob Stanley - Handy Man" <watchtower.wireless@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1174423065.198579.271320@l75g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> Hey Guys -
> I'm having one heck of a time finding out how to protect exterior-
> mounted foam-board from carpenter ant attack without re-creating the
> Love Canal in my back yard. Given our foundation's proximity to the
> water table, and our well proximity, we want to use "alternative"
> method(s) to protect our house while not adding poisons to our water.
> I've exhausted what I consider to be the usual suspects: Google web
> and groups, plus a few university and commercial sites - even Bob
> Villa, but to no avail.
>
> Anyone out there know of "alternative" techniques that work? What can
> and can't the pesky critters chew through (fiberglass, metal,
> plastics, asphalt, etc.)?
> - Bob
>
| |
| marson 2007-03-21, 8:25 pm |
| On Mar 21, 7:07 pm, "Dennis" <webmas...@npcc.net> wrote:[color=darkred]
> One of the reasons that foam insulation is prohibited within 6" of the
> ground is because termites use it as a "channel" into the home. Carpenter
> ants use it for the same purpose, but rarely cause problems (unless the
> infection is heavy). Chemicals are not the cure, removing the foam is the
> only real cure. Can you remove that portion of foamboard down to (and
> slightly below) ground level?
>
> "Bob Stanley - Handy Man" <watchtower.wirel...@verizon.net> wrote in messagenews:1174423065.198579.271320@l75g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
>
Of course, if you live in a place it is cold, you need that foam for
insulation. Surely you wouldn't tear off the outer layer of an ICF
foundation?
The specs I've seen usually call for some type of parging at least 6"
below grade. Can be either synthetic (i.e Tuff II or similar) or
concrete stucco, if you have some way to attach the mesh.
| |
| Bob Stanley - Handy Man 2007-03-21, 9:25 pm |
| Dennis and all -
At least in our unquaint New England city, no prohibitions against
exterior foam insulation, above and below grade. I am aware of the
dual risk of ant and termites, though our area mostly prone to just
ants. I'm putting in an inspection gap between foam-board and
cladding above it. The foam-board saves about 30% of heating fuel
bill. Therefore, its important to save it from the bugs. I agree
chemicals aren't the cure, and foam-board would only further
complicate such an approach. I still hold out hope there is a cure
for my foam-board's disease.
- Bob, not so handy man at present
On Mar 21, 8:07 pm, "Dennis" <webmas...@npcc.net> wrote:
> ditto
| |
| Bob Stanley - Handy Man 2007-03-22, 9:25 am |
| Dennis and all -
At least in our unquaint New England city, no prohibitions against
exterior foam insulation, above and below grade. I'm aware of the
dual risk of ant and termites, though our area is mostly prone to just
ants. I'm installing an inspection gap between the foam-board and
above cladding. I agree chemicals are not the cure, rather the curse,
and foam-board only further complicates such an approach. I prefer my
drinking water without the latest designer organo-phosphates, thank
you, and my kids with the usual array of arms, legs, and heads.
Marson and all -
I like your point about ICF's, and EIFS and their ilk are no less at
risk from carpenter ants 6" or 6' above grade. We do live in a place
that is cold, damn cold. Northern New England could stand a little
more global warming from my vantage point. I calculate the foundation
foam-board saves us about 30% on our heating fuel bill. Though
considerably less than our exhorbitant property taxes, it's still
significant. Therefore, it's important to save it from the bugs. I
like your suggestion about stucco. I think I can fasten some mesh on
with an adhesive designed for foam applications. I hold out hope this
is the cure for my foam-board disease, and would like to know if any
one has had success with screens, fiberglass mesh, etc. for below-
grade application.
Of course, I'm cursed in the never ending Global Warming catch 22's:
by saving the foam, I slow global warming, thereby making it colder in
New England ... such are the vagaries of livin' "la vida warma".
- Bob, not-so-handy-man at present
On Mar 21, 9:19 pm, "marson" <briankon...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mar 21, 7:07 pm, "Dennis" <webmas...@npcc.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Of course, if you live in a place it is cold, you need that foam for
> insulation. Surely you wouldn't tear off the outer layer of an ICF
> foundation?
>
> The specs I've seen usually call for some type of parging at least 6"
> below grade. Can be either synthetic (i.e Tuff II or similar) or
> concrete stucco, if you have some way to attach the mesh.
| |
| cavedweller 2007-03-22, 1:25 pm |
| On Mar 20, 3:37 pm, "Bob Stanley - Handy Man"
<watchtower.wirel...@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hey Guys -
> I'm having one heck of a time finding out how to protect exterior-
> mounted foam-board from carpenter ant attack without re-creating the
> Love Canal in my back yard. Given our foundation's proximity to the
> water table, and our well proximity, we want to use "alternative"
> method(s) to protect our house while not adding poisons to our water.
> I've exhausted what I consider to be the usual suspects: Google web
> and groups, plus a few university and commercial sites - even Bob
> Villa, but to no avail.
>
> Anyone out there know of "alternative" techniques that work? What can
> and can't the pesky critters chew through (fiberglass, metal,
> plastics, asphalt, etc.)?
> - Bob
I had some success with one of the powders that consisted mostly of a
diatomaceous earth...hardly environmentally unfriendly.
See http://www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/...nterants-e.html
| |
| Dennis 2007-03-22, 8:25 pm |
|
> significant. Therefore, it's important to save it from the bugs. I
> like your suggestion about stucco. I think I can fasten some mesh on
> with an adhesive designed for foam applications. I hold out hope this
> is the cure for my foam-board disease, and would like to know if any
> one has had success with screens, fiberglass mesh, etc. for below-
> grade application.
I believe the parging he referred to is over the concrete, and the foam goes
over that. Ants can get through almost any crack, and have been discovered
in foam board in ceilings. If you have foam board under your siding
continuous into the ground, I still feel it's best to open an air break
between the two, to prevent the ants from using the foam as a channel into
the exterior wall. If you put foam in contact with the ground, they are
going to find a way to burrow into it.
At least you can be relieved in knowing that the ants will kill any
termites!
<smile>
| |
| marson 2007-03-22, 8:25 pm |
| On Mar 22, 5:54 pm, "Dennis" <webmas...@npcc.net> wrote:
>
> I believe the parging he referred to is over the concrete, and the foam goes
> over that. Ants can get through almost any crack, and have been discovered
> in foam board in ceilings. If you have foam board under your siding
> continuous into the ground, I still feel it's best to open an air break
> between the two, to prevent the ants from using the foam as a channel into
> the exterior wall. If you put foam in contact with the ground, they are
> going to find a way to burrow into it.
>
> At least you can be relieved in knowing that the ants will kill any
> termites!
>
> <smile>
| |
| marson 2007-03-22, 8:25 pm |
| On Mar 22, 5:54 pm, "Dennis" <webmas...@npcc.net> wrote:
>
> I believe the parging he referred to is over the concrete, and the foam goes
> over that. Ants can get through almost any crack, and have been discovered
> in foam board in ceilings. If you have foam board under your siding
> continuous into the ground, I still feel it's best to open an air break
> between the two, to prevent the ants from using the foam as a channel into
> the exterior wall. If you put foam in contact with the ground, they are
> going to find a way to burrow into it.
>
> At least you can be relieved in knowing that the ants will kill any
> termites!
>
> <smile>
Not sure if "parging" is the correct term. There are coatings
available that are applied over foam, as well as traditional cement
stucco. NO builders around here, where the design temperature is
-20F, are putting an airgap in the foam. check out
http://styro.net/FoundationIcfFaqs.html.
| |
| marquisconst@aol.com 2007-03-22, 9:25 pm |
| On Mar 20, 4:37=EF=BF=BDpm, "Bob Stanley - Handy Man"
<watchtower.wirel...@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hey Guys -
> I'm having one heck of a time finding out how to protect exterior-
> mounted foam-board from carpenter ant attack without re-creating the
> Love Canal in my back yard. =A0Given our foundation's proximity to the
> water table, and our well proximity, we want to use "alternative"
> method(s) to protect our house while not adding poisons to our water.
> I've exhausted what I consider to be the usual suspects: Google web
> and groups, plus a few university and commercial sites - even Bob
> Villa, but to no avail.
>
> Anyone out there know of "alternative" techniques that work? =A0What can
> and can't the pesky critters chew through (fiberglass, metal,
> plastics, asphalt, etc.)?
> - Bob
Bob;
Spread borate (borax soap) around perimeter should work fine
| |
|
| On Mar 20, 1:37 pm, "Bob Stanley - Handy Man"
<watchtower.wirel...@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hey Guys -
> I'm having one heck of a time finding out how to protect exterior-
> mounted foam-board from carpenter ant attack without re-creating the
> Love Canal in my back yard. Given our foundation's proximity to the
> water table, and our well proximity, we want to use "alternative"
> method(s) to protect our house while not adding poisons to our water.
> I've exhausted what I consider to be the usual suspects: Google web
> and groups, plus a few university and commercial sites - even Bob
> Villa, but to no avail.
>
> Anyone out there know of "alternative" techniques that work? What can
> and can't the pesky critters chew through (fiberglass, metal,
> plastics, asphalt, etc.)?
> - Bob
----------
James
Consider visiting this link,
http://www.vinylnewsservice.net/New...8/Default.aspx.
I understand PVC or vinyl materials aren't susceptible to carpenter
ant. Additionally, they don't degenerate after coming into contact
with water.
| |
| Raider Bill 2007-03-24, 9:25 am |
| On Mar 22, 11:51 pm, "Jimmy" <nwac...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mar 20, 1:37 pm, "Bob Stanley - Handy Man"<watchtower.wirel...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>
> ----------
> James
> Consider visiting this link,http://www.vinylnewsservice.net/New...ary282007/t....
> I understand PVC or vinyl materials aren't susceptible to carpenter
> ant. Additionally, they don't degenerate after coming into contact
> with water.
Try corn meal. They eat it, it expands they die.
| |
| Dennis 2007-03-26, 5:25 pm |
| Won't that draw ants? Birds, racoons? <g>
"Raider Bill" <bill@fiainspectors.com> wrote in message
news:1174741458.588524.152730@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> On Mar 22, 11:51 pm, "Jimmy" <nwac...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Try corn meal. They eat it, it expands they die.
>
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