Termite Troubles in the Barn

We got a call yesterday to alert us that the pest control folks would be here to do their annual termite inspection.  They have monitoring station/bait traps set up around the perimeter of our home.  The technician checked and could find no sign of termites around our home.  That is welcome news to us.  He couldn't find a few of the stations, but put out more to take their place.  All in all, we got a report that we wanted to hear.

Out in our barn, however, is another matter entirely.  In year's past, we've put out our own termite bait stations around the barn.  This station at the southwest corner of the barn is something that you don't want to see.  It means the termites have eaten through the bait and the fluorescent probe pops up to ruin your day and alert you that those terrible wood eaters are present.

A few years ago, the termites ate a hole in the floor of the feed room.  That was some good 2 x 12 treated lumber.  What a mess!  This winter, while it is cool, I'll try to re-deck the feed room.  The problem is, of course, that lumber is very expensive right now.

The hungry termites eat through the wood, like you see right here.  The piece of wood I'm holding is lighter than a piece of cork.  When I stepped through the floor and found the problem, I got some termite spray and killed all of them that I could find.  You just know there's more though.

I definitely don't want the barn to fall down, so we've got to do something about the infestation.  Tricia let me know that we had 5 more bait stations left over from the last time we treated.  Time to get these in the ground.

I see some signs of the termites eating in some of the support beams that frame up the barn.

The termite killer comes with a hand auger with which you use to drill the holes to set the termite stakes.

You simply turn the auger by hand until it's all the way in and then you pull up, leaving a hole.

Then you insert the bait station in the hole, and you check it periodically for the telltale signs of activity.

We had our barn built with used materials from other barns that were being torn down.  If I had to guess, we might have imported a termite problem with some of those building materials.  We'll do our best to combat the termites as we like our barn.  Unfortunately, the termites like our barn too!

What's For Supper?

What's for Supper?  I often ask that question when coming through the back door on my way in from work.  I found out this past weekend that termites have been answering that question with their answer, "Your BARN!"

Cooler weather with no humidity motivated me to go out to the barn and begin tidying up.  We stack up things we think we'll use and end up not using it.  Hay in the barn is ubiquitous, and piles up in every nook and cranny. Poop piles up too, despite our best efforts to scoop it out and compost it.  

I decided to start in the southwest corner of the barn.  I began pulling out milk crates, dumping out hay and goat poop.  Got one done and then another.  The last crate was tough to pull up.  It was as if it was buried in the dirt.  Finally I got it loosened.  Odd.  There were a bunch of white things on the ground.

 

A colony of termites!  It was like a giant ant mound (pile).  They were moving, frantically trying to get away.  I ran as fast as I could back to the garage and mixed up a garden sprayer full of termiticide.

When I got back I liberally soaked the area with the pesticide, taking great joy in killing every last one of those stinking insects.  I kicked around at the colony to expose every single one that appeared to be still alive.  I hope I got them all.

As I began to look more closely, I could see evidence of their activity.  Look at the dirt tunnels below.  This is at the top of the wall - eight feet up!

This is termite damage on the 2 x 4 bracing shown below.  Not a good sign.  As I tested more, I found at least some encouraging news.  First, I think I got them all this time.  I added 10 "stake baits" into the perimeter that kills them.  Secondly, structural damage appears to be primarily on peripheral supports and not on the main posts supporting the weight of the barn.  This is supported (pardon the pun) by the fact that the barn stood strong against two powerful hurricanes.  Finally, an exterminator told us that if these were Formosan termites, our barn would be on the ground by now as they eat a pound of wood each day.  Although bad, these termites aren't as quick in their destruction.   

We like our barn.  We will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary action if additional steps are needed.  To end on a positive note, I captured a good photo of a hen and a rooster that hopped up on the window of the barn to witness by termite killing.  

Good Evening to you and God Bless You!

That'll Do

Matthew 6:19-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;"

Looking around the homestead (and looking in the mirror, for that matter) brings to the forefront of my mind that things are moving from order to disorder, from death to life, from newness to decrepit and desiccated.

Things break and need fixing.  Sometimes we go to the hardware store or feed store and buy new parts to repair and restore the old and worn out.  Other times, we take a position of "That'll do."  Do you ever do that?  There is nothing that can't be fixed with tie wire or a roll of duct tape.

Here's an example or two:  A few weeks ago, we reported that a big Chinaberry tree fell across the fence in a storm, ripping the fencing from the 4 x 4 post.  I cut up and removed the tree.  I needed to fix the fence.  I could have gotten the come-along (fence stretcher), a hammer and some staples and done a fine job of mending the fence.  Other priorities pulled and I opted to get some tie wire and quickly fasten the fencing to the post.  "That'll do."  I'll get around to fixing it right one day.

Tie wire holding things together

As the Gospel of Matthew tells us, rust destroys!  It is doing its best to destroy our old 1978 model cattle trailer.  It was my grandpa's and I want to not allow it to get in a state of disrepair.  This weekend I began the arduous task of fixing it.  I could bring it to a welder and have new sheet metal installed, but I opted to pressure wash, sand, coat with Ospho and patch it myself.  For the larger rusted out holes I used fiberglass patches coated in a resin/hardener concoction. 

Large rust holes patched up

For the smaller holes, I used Bondo.  It is a putty-like substance that you add a hardener to and spread over small rust holes and fissures.  I'll later sand and prime and paint.  It'll look good as new.  Yes, "that'll do."

Putting some lipstick on the pig

And moths...  In this case termites.  We discovered termites in our barn!  The other day in the feed room, I stepped right through the floor.  Termites had eaten through the 2 x 12 flooring!  I'll post later about this in more detail later.  Professional treatment of termites can be very expensive.  I purchased some termite insecticide at the hardware store and am in the process of eradicated the problem.  I've killed a bunch of them.  I'm hoping to be able to say, "That'll do."  Still too early in the battle to tell.

Termites be gone!

We're a simple country couple on a simple homestead trying to do the best we can on a shoestring budget.  We're learning as we go - usually from our mistakes.  But we're happy and continually try to be content with what the Good Lord has given us.  And as I think about it, "That'll (More than) Do."

"When you arise in the morning give thanks for the morning light. Give thanks for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food. And give thanks for the joy of living. And if perchance you see no reason to give thanks. Rest assured the fault is yours." - Unknown