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INTRODUCTION

How to Use This Manual

This manual contains the information needed to become a certified commercial applicator in Category 7B, Wood-destroying Pests. This manual is intended for use in combination with the Pesticide Applicator Core Training Manual (Extension Bulletin E-2195), available through the Michigan State University Bulletin Office. However, this manual would also be useful to anyone interested in learning more about the management of wood-destroying pests.

Category 7B, Wood-destroying Pests, covers the management and control of wood-destroying pests that become problems in and around buildings. The chapters contain basic scientific information as well as guidelines for practical solutions to pest control problems.

The Category 7B certification exam will be based on information found in this booklet. Each chapter begins with a set of learning objectives that will help you focus on what you should get out of the chapter. The table of contents will help you identify important topics and understand how they relate to one another through the Management of WOod-destroying Pests v organization of headings and subheadings. As you prepare for the exam, read each chapter and answer the review questions located at the end. These questions are not on the certification exam. They are provided to help you prepare for the exam. Questions on the exam will pertain directly to the learning objectives.

The appendices and glossary, including an answer key (Appendix A), at the end of this manual provide supplemental information that will help you understand the topics covered in the chapters. Terms throughout the manual text that are bold and italicized can also be found in the glossary.

This certification manual benefits the applicator and the general public. By learning how to handle pesticides correctly, applicators will be able to protect themselves, others, and the environment from pesticide misuse. For more specific information on how to become a certified applicator in Michigan, refer to the beginning of the core manual (E-2195) or to the Michigan Department of Agriculture'S Web site at <http://www.mds.state.mi.us>.

CHAPTER 1: LAWS CONCERNING CONTROL OF WOOD-DESTROYING PESTS

Protection: The Applicator's Responsibility

More Than Just Pesticide Application

State and Federal Laws

  Federal Laws

    FIFRA

    Endangered Species Act

    OSHA

  State Laws

    Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA)

    Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act

    Regulation 636

    Regulation 637 Requirements

Summary

Review Questions

CHAPTER 2: THE BIOLOGY OF TERMITES AND OTHER WOOD-DESTROYING PESTS

The Biology of Insects and their Relatives

  Other Divisions Used in Classification

Growth and Development

  Growth

  Development

The Biology of Termites

  Termite Distribution

  Subterranean Termites

    Eastern Subterranean Termites

    Colony Formation

    The Termite and its Environment

    Communication in the Colony

  Other Termites

    Drywood Termites

    Dampwood Termites

Other Wood-destroying Insects and Pests

  Powderpost Beetles

  Longhorned Beetles

  Black Carpenter Ants

  Carpenter Bees

  Wood-decay Fungi

Key to Insect Damage of Wood-destroying Pests

Summary

Review Questions

CHAPTER 3: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

Termite Application Equipment

  Sprayer Components

    Tanks

    Pumps

    Hoses

    Applicators

    Drills

Calibration of Sprayers

Preventing Contamination of Drinking

Water Systems

  Inspection of Wells

Methods

  Inspection

    The Inspection Report

  Prevention

    Sanitation

    Structural and Construction Defects

    Barriers

  Products Used in Termite Control

    Pyrethroids

    Borates

    Organophosphates and Carbamates

    Insect Growth Regulators

    Biotermiticides

    Foaming Agents

  Fumigation

    Advantages of Fumigation

    Disadvantages of Fumigation

  Bait Technology and Application Bait Placement

    Commercial Baiting Products

    Advantages and Disadvantages

Summary

Review Questions

CHAPTER 4: SOIL TREATMENT FOR SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

Foundation Types

  Slab-on-ground

  Crawl Space Construction

  Basement Construction

Soil and Foundation Treating

Preconstruction Treatment

Postconstruction Treatment

General Treatment Guidelines

  Exterior Soil Treatment

  Exterior Slab Treatment

  Treatment of Foundation Voids in Slab Construction

  Treatment of Brick or Stone Veneer

  Interior Treatment Methods

    Vertical Drilling

    Short Rodding

    Long Rodding

Treatment Guidelines-Slab Construction Special Cases

  Floating Slab Construction with Concrete Block . Foundation and Walls

  Floating Slab Construction with Concrete Foundation and Brick Veneer on Wood Frame

  Monolithic Slab with Tile or Terrazzo Finished Floor

  Wood Over Slab

Treatment Guidelines for Crawl Space Construction

Treatment Guidelines for Basement Construction

  Special Considerations-Basements

Retreatments for Soil-applied Termiticides

Termite Calculation Problems and Solutions

Summary

Review Questions

CHAPTER 5: OTHER TREATMENTS FOR SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

Plenum and Non-plenum Crawl Spaces

Subslab Heating Ducts

Special Considerations for Treating Basements

Dirt-filled Concrete Porch on a Frame House

Wooden Porches

Hollow Block, Tile, and Rubble Foundations

Wells, Cisterns, and Other Water Sources

Rigid Foam Insulation Board

Wood Treatment

  Borates

  Wood Injection

Summary

Review Questions

CHAPTER 6: OTHER WOOD-DESTROYING INSECTS

Prevention of Wood-boring Beetles

Powderpost Beetles

  True Powderpost Beetles

  False Powderpost Beetles

  Furniture and Deathwatch Beetles

  Control and Management of Powderpost Beetles

    Inspection

    Habitat Modification

    Pesticide Application

    Follow-up

Wood-boring Weevils

Longhorned Beetles

  Control and Management of Longhorned Beetles

    Inspection

    Habitat Modification

    Pesticide Application

    Follow-up

Carpenter Ants

  Black Carpenter Ants

  Ant and Termite Swarmers

  Control and Management of Carpenter Ants

    Inspection

    Habitat Modification

    Pesticide Application

    Follow-up

Carpenter Bees

  Control and Management of Carpenter Bees

Summary

Review Questions

CHAPTER 7: WOOD-DAMAGING FUNGI

Wood-decaying Fungi

  Brown Rot

  White Rot

  Soft Rot

Wood-staining Fungi

  Sap staining Fungi

  Mold Fungi

  Chemical Stains

Insects Associated with Wood-destroying Fungi

Control and Management of Wood-destroying Fungi

  Inspection

  Prevention

  Habitat Modification

  Chemical Control

    Prevention

    Control

    Borates as Fungicides

Summary

Review Questions

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Answers Appendix

APPENDIX B: Glossary

APPENDIX C: Wood-boring Insects

APPENDIX D: Diagrams of Structural Members

APPENDIX E: Convenient Conversion Factors

APPENDIX F: Bibliography

APPENDIX G: Termites and Other Wood-destroying Pests