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