Termites are highly destructive pests causing major structural damage to residential and commercial properties alike here in the Cayman Islands and this damage is not covered by insurance. They live in large colonies, underground, above ground or in your homes.

How To Distinguish Between Termites and Ants.

Termites travel in mud tubes. The picture below shows mud tubes that termites have constructed over a solid object, in this case a foundation wall. Termites travel in these tubes as protection from predators and dehydration. These pests are highly secretive, preferring to enter a building through areas inaccessible to inspection, such as expansion joints, p-traps under bath tubs and cracks in the slab.

For more information on termites go to www.thetermiteinstitute.com

THE MAIN DESTRUCTIVE TERMITE SPECIES IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS  

Subterranean Termites

This is the main type of termite invading our homes. These termites live and forage in the soil and require an outside moisture source, which may be from the soil or water damage from within your home. They build protective mud tubes from the soil to your home and gain entrance via cracks in the slab, expansion joints and p-traps under the bathtub. A well established termite colony may contain over seven million termites.

Control involves a thorough inspection and then either the appropriate use of chemicals to form a barrier around your property or the more environmentally friendly use of termite baiting systems like Sentricon that work extremely well here under Cayman conditions.

Drywood Termites

These termites do not need moisture, and they infest wood from doorframes to roof joists and rafters. Their colony size is small (a few hundred to a thousand). Evidence of infestation would be “sand like” droppings on the floor and kick out holes in the wood or sheetrock walls/ceilings. These termites work very slowly and it can take several years before any noticeable damage is noticed.

Control could involve anything from applying borate salts to the infested wood if the damage is small to gassing the building if extensive damage is found. Gassing involves the house being covered with tarpaulins and sealed (once all occupants have been removed) and a fumigant is used. A typical fumigation can take up to two days before the occupants are allowed back into their home. Needless to say in the first instance a thorough inspection would have to be performed to determine the extent of the infestation.

For more information on FUMIGATION

Tropical Termites

There are several species of tropical termites that infest our homes here in the Cayman Islands. Some species have their nests above ground on trees and shrubs and gain entrance to properties by traveling over ground and using mud tubes up the walls to gain access. These species can be very aggressive and it has been known that kitchen cabinets can be eaten within two weeks.

Control involves a thorough inspection initially and then a process of removing the nests from the property, applying chemical barriers around the perimeter of the property and the house and then removing the termites from inside the house.

Another tropical termite that has recently arrived in the Cayman Islands is related to the Formosan termite that is common in many parts of the States. This is a tropical subterranean termite that is very aggressive and once in the home can build huge nests in wall voids. Once identified, the proven method of control of this species is to use the Sentricon Termite Baiting System. This system has been used successfully on several infested boats in addition to homes and commercial buildings.

In all cases a thorough inspection to determine exactly what termites are causing the problem is essential to achieve control.

Photograph shows termite nest above ground.

Why PESTKIL?

• Pestkil has been service the Cayman Islands for 25 years.

• Our termite technicians have years of experience in protecting homes. Their continuing education and use of state of the art materials is your best bet in the war against termites.

• Whether treating the foundation prior to a home being built, or once a home is infested, you can count on PESTKIL.

• We stand by our service and our commitment to you.