| Human beings have been battling insects as long | | | | cause long-term health problems. Chlordane was |
| as both species have been on this planet. Bugs | | | | banned by the EPA for most uses in 1983 and for |
| have been known to cause both mild and severe | | | | eradicating termites in 1988.Other chemicals are |
| health problems, destroy crops, and generally | | | | now used instead of chlordane, but are less |
| make a nuisance of themselves. Termites, while | | | | effective. In addition, bait traps are used insides |
| not known to directly cause illness, can literally eat | | | | houses to attract and kill termites already in the |
| your house out from under you, causing structural | | | | home.One problem with barrier methods is that |
| damage that weakens your home, sometimes | | | | they can easily be circumvented by termites, who |
| beyond repair.Termites are attracted to the | | | | actually build mud tubes which the termites use as |
| protein content of various woods; different kinds | | | | tunnels to bypass barriers, including chemical |
| of termites actually favor different woods, but | | | | barriers. One of the most noticeable signs of |
| one common issue is the moisture content of the | | | | termite infestation is a series of long, thin mud |
| wood. Termite infestations are especially prevalent | | | | tubes, which can appear in any area of the house. |
| in rainy weather or during periods of high humidity. | | | | Termites can travel as much as fifty feet into |
| Keeping your house moisture-free by grading the | | | | the interior of a home.If you are considering |
| land around the house and using drain spouts to | | | | buying a home, it's wise to require a termite |
| direct rain away from the building can eliminate a | | | | inspection as part of the sales agreement. If you |
| major source of attraction to termites. | | | | already own a home and you suspect termites, |
| Basements in particular can be a big source of | | | | or if you know other residents in your area have |
| moisture in the home, but can be built or | | | | had termite infestations, hire a termite expert to |
| remodeled to be moisture-free.In the past fifty | | | | inspect and, if necessary, treat your home. Find |
| years, it has become standard practice to create | | | | out just how they plan to both eliminate termites |
| a barrier around the home by chemically treating | | | | already in your home and how they are going to |
| the soil around it. Chlordane was used for | | | | create a barrier to further infestation. Amazingly, |
| decades, and was extremely effective, but had | | | | even the kind of sand you use to create a barrier |
| major problems with its use. Exposure to | | | | can have better or worse results.Be sure to ask |
| chlordane has resulted in nervous system, liver | | | | questions about any chemicals used, and the toxic |
| damage, and in some cases, death. It's easy to | | | | effects of those chemicals; some chemicals are |
| see the dangers inherent in chlordane use if you | | | | safer than others. And finally, inspect your home |
| consider that children and pets, in particular, spend | | | | for areas of high moisture, and eliminate any |
| a lot of time playing, rolling around, and otherwise | | | | moisture problems you discover. Controlling the |
| using the land immediately surrounding homes. | | | | moisture in your home may be the best line of |
| Additionally, chemicals used as barriers can seep | | | | defense against termites.Aldene Fredenburg is a |
| into home and commercial gardens and into the | | | | freelance writer living in southwestern New |
| ground water and end up being absorbed by food | | | | Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for |
| plants, fish, and farm animals. Chlordane builds up | | | | local and regional newspapers and for a number |
| in the systems of animals and humans, and can | | | | of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. |