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Termites on boats in Fort Lauderdale

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Norseman, Apr 28, 2012.

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  1. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Got a termite invasion on my boat yesterday.
    Third time in the last 18 months.

    Been getting read of the *******s in the past by sealing up the boat and using small "bombs", spray cans for local termite treatment in houses.

    Usually I tripple the dose and it has worked in the past.

    Last night I notcied a bunch of shedded wings all over the cabin.
    All the cracked hatches and the companionway has fine meshed bug screens
    and can only speculate the critters got in next to a thin cable I run from the prop-shaft and overboard with a zink fish. (to save the prop shaft zink anode)

    Soo, back to home depot to get a six pack of bombs again.

    Had the boat in the same spot for the last 13 years and never had a problem in the past.

    The telltale signs, beside the shedded wings, are fine grained "sand" on the cabin sole: As they dig tunnels through the wood they sh!t out the sand particles and first time it happended I thought it was left over sand from beach excursions in the Bahamas. Cleaned it all up then noticed a few days later it was back..:mad:

    The termites does not go after the teak and varnished wood, but rather the plywood on cabinets and doors, probably softer wood in some of the layers.
    Easy enough to fix, inject som epoxy to get the strenght back, then sand and paint.
    Also been epoxy coating any exposed surfaces to made entry hard, but impossible to do the whole interior without taking the boat apart.

    Anybody else with the same experience and or different solutions..?
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    It really depends on what neighborhood your in. Some houses in the neighborhood have them and then in swarming season which I believe is right now, they move on to the next one.

    It only takes a VERY small hole for them to get in. I would contact a good termite company, because they have a spray now that is supposed to stay for many years and kill them for many years to come. I had Petri do the attics in my 4-plex (even though I didn't have the flying type), and it's supposed to kill for 10 years I believe......It was a clear liquid concentrate, maybe you could get your hands on some and mix it with water and lightly spray all of the wood......or have them do it.........I had just gotten Subterranian and was having the foundation treated for that at the same time........

    You could have the boat tented, and if done right will give you a 100% kill, however it does nothing for future infestations......they could fly over next week and be back on board.......They don't like the teak because I think it is too oily for them, and will go for the soft plywood first.......
  3. dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    Try a few one gallon jugs of chlorine bleach left open in the main areas usually kills most bugs...
  4. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Hmm, sounds too easy but will sure try it if my bombs does not work.

    Just put 4 of the "over the counter" RAID bombs in there, each one is supposed to be good for a 635 square foot apartment, with my boat having an interior space of 180 square feet max, that would be 14 times the recommended dose...At least it should give 'em a head ace..:D

    Guess they found it...

    yeah, that is the next step, but I can smell a $500.00 charge for doing the same I am doing.
    As for the new spray that will last for 10 years, hmm, sounds like a toxic envirnment and we are living and sleeping downstairs, now sure I want to try out that one.

    Exactly, I just have to be better at keeping the boat sealed, perhaps install even finer bug screens, but they tend to be "flimsier".
    Still want to keep ventilation through the boat and this not being a mega yacht with full time A/C and all doors and hatches closes and sealed I run a DC fan 24/7 and keep hatches cracked with bug screens installed...Not that it did me much good.:rolleyes:

    Thanks for the help, keep it coming, all good stuff.
  5. PropBet

    PropBet Senior Member

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    Is Everything!
    Ughhh! I dealt with termites in my first house ever. Not a fun experience and can only imagine the task on a boat being nothing but daunting.
  6. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The stuff they spray is non-toxic to humans.....I think it's something like Borax kills them, but don't quote me on this.......I did step on a 53' Hatteras SF to where the termites ate so much of it, you could stick your finger through the paint from the cockpit, right into the salon.......
  7. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Ouch, I would hate that.

    Here is a few pics of my interior..No termites allowed.

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
  8. brian eiland

    brian eiland Senior Member

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    Don't termites have to have a 'ground path' from their infestations to their 'nest' in a ground location outside of the home?
  9. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Here is a few pics of my interior..No termites allowed.

    Nice Boat. If you think the hatch screens are the culprit, invest in the Bowmar type sliding hatch screens, They will keep the bugs out. Also you'll need to be sure you have screens behind all your cowlings, vents and other openings.

    Anybody else having this termite problem at your marina? It might just be a hidden nest on your boat. Also, if you think its the marina, ask to be moved to another slip to see if that alleviates the problem?
  10. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Nah, different kind of termites, they are called subterranean termites and live in the ground.

    Private dock on a residential canal, can't move it very far.
    Have the same kind of termites in a couple of apartemnts within 1/2 radius so either the Gods are angry at me, or this is the season they swarm.

    Yeah, will look into hatches, or just put up a sign that says: "Beware of Owner" :cool:
  11. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Gassed the boat today...

    [​IMG]

    Checked prices with 3 termite companies.
    Picked the cheapest as the gas are the same, and the termites are the same.
    Prices varied from $950.00 to $500.00, all 3 with a 1 year warranty.

    Sealed the boat good and even taped over the exhaust port and the 4 bilge pump thru holes. Measurements of the gas 6 hours later confirmed no leakage and therefore all bugs and eggs dead..:mad:

    The exterminators said most boats have termites and that it can take 4 to 5 years to form a colony and you may have them without knowing it as they have not reached the swarming stage yet..
  12. Worthyvess

    Worthyvess Member

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    Norseman, did the treatment work? Can’t imagine that sealing would work like tenting would. Just found out the retreatment done on our boat was sealing not renting. Not happy.
  13. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yup, treatment worked, they all died..
  14. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Nice boat Norseman. Very well organized, or , ''ship shape''. Can you come up to the Chesapeake and get my boat uncluttered !:D

    What a problem you had glad you got it fixed. I never had that issue before. Yikes.
  15. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Can’t stand clutter, drives me nuts:)
    Sold that boat 5.5 years ago, now got this boat, un-cluttered it after purchase of course:
    www.odincharters.com
  16. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    ?? No sailboat? What are the interior pic's of?
  17. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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  18. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Wtf! Lol , man I see. I though this was current. I never read the fine print. It's been a problem all my life...:confused: ,thank you.
  19. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yeah, old thread but termites are still out to get you :cool:
  20. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    7E836913-D470-4FEE-B49A-B6FB3150C2D4.jpeg Picture taken during the gassing.