termites

Having trouble with termites .Have a small shop building,that is wood frame with concrete floor and sheet metal down below ground,but the termites are getting into the wood.What is a good way to treat the ground and wood, and what kind of chemical will do the job,without being high dollar.and what is the best way to apply? Do I need to dig the dirt away and apply? Had heard of using borax and covering it up.

The southeastern subterranean termite has been known to make it through these materials by taking advantage of cracks etc. Some of the termites, I believe the soldier, excrete very caustic fluid that can eat through many substances also. If the metal was laid under the slab soil moisture probably destroyed it allowing them through.
I have-still have termite issues on out buildings, and investigated store bought treatments. Ortho has a product that the directions require trenching around the structure, and listed the dilution rate of the product with coverage per linear foot. As I recall the product was @ 25.00 a bottle, and didn't cover too many feet per bottle for foundation treatment. It was very costly for this route.
I opted to rebuild the damage already done with treated wood, and reinforce untreated areas with treated wood.
I am almost getting ready to try diesel fuel around the foundations of buildings, or old motor oil.
Try to determing the damage they already have done to the building, it may shock you how much they have done already. If any of the studs in a framed wall are visible press a screwdriver in one in at varying heights from floor to a few feet up. Also try different areas of the building if possible. Depending on how, what from, and for how long the building was constructed of, they may have done so much damage that the building isn't salvagable. Good luck. Battling these b'tards for many years now-Ed

Always check the labels, but products with active ingredients like Bifenthrin (Talstar, Onyx, etc) and even the old but trusty Chlorpyriphos (dursban,lorsban, etc)are good termaticides. Go to cdms.net and search those a.i. and you'll find the right products and labels that will explain how to apply (trench and recover, injection, whatever). I'm not suggesting this, but, sometimes a product may be restricted use under one brand and non restricted under another.

John

If the sheet metal siding is below ground level that is your problem.
Since you have a slab you should be able to see the slab from the out side. Any cover over the side of the slab will allow them a place to build a mud tunnel and be unseen.

Termidor SC is a very good product to use on subterranean termites. It also works on formosan termites but if you live along the coast and think you may have formosan termites it may be time to call in help.

When checking for termites, carpenter ants, any kind of interior wood weakening an ice pick is easy and handy; if it"s eaten or rotted away you"ll feel it.

Go to this website, www.doityourselfpestcontrol.com
Lots and Lots of info on pests here.
I personally would call a pro when it comes to termites.

I've heard many good things about Termidor too. Best part is its pretty safe, especially compared to so of the "old stuff".