Termite treatments must always be done in a manner that avoids damaging or contaminating water sources. Wells, cisterns and foundation drains can pose a challenge to termite treatments. Although these situations are difficult, there are options for protecting your home with some type of termite treatment.

• Most termiticide labels permit "treated backfill technique". This tedious and time-consuming procedure involves removing the soil along the foundation wall (both sides of the foundation wall if necessary) within a specified distance of the well. The excavated soil is placed into a wheelbarrow or on a plastic tarp, treated with termiticide, and then filled back into the trench along the foundation.
  
  
• A well can be legally "abandoned" and you can drill another well elsewhere on the property (IF the new well will meet state/county requirements). Abandoning a well does not mean that you simply stop using it or that you disconnect the pipe to the house. There is still concern that the well and groundwater could be contaminated accidentally during a termite treatment. For additional information about "well construction and/or abandonment" contact your regional office of the Groundwater Protection Unit of the NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.
  
  

Subsurface (Foundation) Drains

Subsurface or foundation drains (sometimes called "French" drains) are used to prevent or correct moisture problems under and around homes. Many new homes in our state have these drains installed during construction when the soil beneath the drain or backfilled on top of it can be treated in a way that avoids contaminating the drainage system.

Problems can arise when drains are installed on an existing home. Digging or removing the soil along your foundation also removes any chemical termite barrier around your home. Most termite protection contracts stipulate that removing or disturbing the soil along the foundation will void your termite protection guarantee. If you are planning to waterproof your foundation and/or install a drain system, then call your pest control company before you start the project.

• Prior to treatment, the applicators must take precautions to limit the risk of applying the termiticide into subsurface drains that could empty into any bodies of water. They must evaluate whether the application to the top of the foundation footer might contaminate the subsurface drain.
  
  
• When appropriate (e.g., on the side of the structure near a body of water), the "treated backfill technique" described previously can be used to minimize off-site movement of termiticide.

Summary

For houses with a well or foundation drain (or both), an alternative to the liquid soil treatment is a termite baiting system. There are several bait products on the market and many companies offer only one brand of termite bait. If you think you would prefer baiting system, you should call several companies and ask about the availability (and feasibility) of using baits for your particular situation.

Controlling termites in houses with wells or drain systems can be more difficult and more labor-intensive whether a liquid or baiting technique is used. Although this added or alternative work may increase the cost of a termite treatment, the environmental concerns justify it. The pesticide label is the law; don't ask or allow the pest control company to do otherwise. If you have a well, cistern, drain or other unusual situation under or adjacent to your house, make sure that the pest control company is aware of its location before any termite treatment is done.