Posts Tagged: termites

Bravo to Vernard Lewis and Margaret Collins: Two Legendary Entomologists

Congratulations to emeritus Cooperative Extension specialist Vernard Lewis of UC Berkeley, selected to deliver the Founders' Memorial Lecture at the 2021 annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), set Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at the Colorado Convention Center,...

In this image, taken in October 2018, consultant and mentor Vernard Lewis (left), confers with Andrew Sutherland, UC integrated pest management advisor for Bay Area counties, about the Villa Termiti at the UC Berkeley Field Station. Sutherland, who holds a doctorate in entomology from UC Davis, was recently awarded state funding to remodel the Villa for future training of pest management professionals in the state. (UC ANR Photo by Pam Kan-Rice)

In this image, taken in October 2018, consultant and mentor Vernard Lewis (left), confers with Andrew Sutherland, UC integrated pest management advisor for Bay Area counties, about the Villa Termiti at the UC Berkeley Field Station. Sutherland, who holds a doctorate in entomology from UC Davis, was recently awarded state funding to remodel the Villa for future training of pest management professionals in the state. (UC ANR Photo by Pam Kan-Rice)

In this 2018 image, entomologist Vernard Lewis shows staff research associates how to insert termites into wood blocks. The project involved placing the wood blocks in a house to see if heat and wintergreen oil will kill termites. In front is Casey Hubble of UC Cooperative Extension, Contra Costa County, and in back is Kathleen Campbell of UC Riverside. (UC ANR Photo by Evett Kilmartin)

In this 2018 image, entomologist Vernard Lewis shows staff research associates how to insert termites into wood blocks. The project involved placing the wood blocks in a house to see if heat and wintergreen oil will kill termites. In front is Casey Hubble of UC Cooperative Extension, Contra Costa County, and in back is Kathleen Campbell of UC Riverside. (UC ANR Photo by Evett Kilmartin)

Kinder, gentler termite control

A San Francisco Chronicle writer sought expertise from a UC scientist to unearth eco-friendly ideas for killing termites, the nemesis of wood-constructed home dwellers worldwide. Termites cause more consternation than depreciating property values and adjustable-rate mortgages, wrote Glen Martin, a former Chronicle environmental reporter.

Martin turned to Vernard Lewis, a UC Berkeley Cooperative Extension specialist, one of the country's top authorities on termite taxonomy and control, for advice on killing termites with kindness. Detection is one of the first problems with the pest. Lewis told the reporter he uses a portable x-ray device to detect termites. (As a homeowner who has stressed over possible termite evidence, I wonder where I could get one of those.)

Liquid nitrogen, an earth-friendly termite treatment that was popular a few years ago, worked on the termites it touched, Lewis told the reporter, but its extremely cold temperature caused "collateral damage," like cracked tiles and warped linoleum.

Orange oil, a natural termite remedy touted by Chronicle columnist and pest management consultant Richard Fagerlund, is safe and pleasantly scented, but according to Lewis' research, ineffective.

The best bet for consumers who want natural control, according to Lewis, are borate-based compounds. But for heavy infestations, chemical fumigation may be the only practical option, the article said.

Termites

Read more