There seems to be a new urban legend circulating about, of all things, moisture meters.
No, they don't prowl the streets at night, seeking unsuspecting teenagers.
Supposedly, wood moisture meters can identify the presence of termites.
Myth The bit of truth behind this incredible claim is that termites and moisture go hand in hand.
The termites are said to be attracted to moist wood.
Once the termites eat their way to areas that are above ground, and, therefore, not as moist, they will, supposedly bring their own moisture with them so they can survive while they continue to chomp away on your house.
The unscrupulous exterminator will use a meter, and when he finds moisture (which he probably will), claim that the only way it could be in the wall is from termites.
Reality The truth is, termites do like moist wood, but not exclusively.
All a moisture meter will tell you in a case like this is whether or not there is moisture in the wood, not whether or not there are termites present.
In fact, it is entirely possible for a part of your structure to have an extreme termite infestation and nothing at all will show up on the meter.
The converse of this is also true.
Just because a moisture meter indicates moisture in a section of the structure doesn't necessarily mean that termites are present.
Certainly wood boring pests are attracted to moist wood, and it may present a problem in the future, but it is no guarantee that the termites are already there.
If there is moisture in the wall, find out the source of the moisture, first, and have it repaired, before you add a potentially unnecessary exterminator bill to what may be an expensive repair bill.
When you read the information from the exterminators, even their own sites say that the moisture meters work mainly by identifying moisture where termites might thrive.
And yes, the termites themselves have a certain amount of moisture in their bodies, but even a heavy infestation will not be enough to raise the moisture levels in the wood enough to measure on a meter, even a superior Moisture Meter.
What Does Work There are technologies available to exterminators to help them identify the presence of termites in a structure.
The pest control professional may use a moisture meter to identify areas that may attract termites, and then use a thermal sensor to determine if the area has increased heat, which may also be indication of termites.
The identification of moist areas will certainly help the pest control expert pinpoint areas of potential entry for termites, but keep in mind that termites travel hundreds of feet to get to their food sources.
The actual termite colony may be under the street in front of your house, and be infesting many houses in your neighborhood.
A moisture meter will not identify that type of thing.
But, it will tell you if you have a water leak.
No, they don't prowl the streets at night, seeking unsuspecting teenagers.
Supposedly, wood moisture meters can identify the presence of termites.
Myth The bit of truth behind this incredible claim is that termites and moisture go hand in hand.
The termites are said to be attracted to moist wood.
Once the termites eat their way to areas that are above ground, and, therefore, not as moist, they will, supposedly bring their own moisture with them so they can survive while they continue to chomp away on your house.
The unscrupulous exterminator will use a meter, and when he finds moisture (which he probably will), claim that the only way it could be in the wall is from termites.
Reality The truth is, termites do like moist wood, but not exclusively.
All a moisture meter will tell you in a case like this is whether or not there is moisture in the wood, not whether or not there are termites present.
In fact, it is entirely possible for a part of your structure to have an extreme termite infestation and nothing at all will show up on the meter.
The converse of this is also true.
Just because a moisture meter indicates moisture in a section of the structure doesn't necessarily mean that termites are present.
Certainly wood boring pests are attracted to moist wood, and it may present a problem in the future, but it is no guarantee that the termites are already there.
If there is moisture in the wall, find out the source of the moisture, first, and have it repaired, before you add a potentially unnecessary exterminator bill to what may be an expensive repair bill.
When you read the information from the exterminators, even their own sites say that the moisture meters work mainly by identifying moisture where termites might thrive.
And yes, the termites themselves have a certain amount of moisture in their bodies, but even a heavy infestation will not be enough to raise the moisture levels in the wood enough to measure on a meter, even a superior Moisture Meter.
What Does Work There are technologies available to exterminators to help them identify the presence of termites in a structure.
The pest control professional may use a moisture meter to identify areas that may attract termites, and then use a thermal sensor to determine if the area has increased heat, which may also be indication of termites.
The identification of moist areas will certainly help the pest control expert pinpoint areas of potential entry for termites, but keep in mind that termites travel hundreds of feet to get to their food sources.
The actual termite colony may be under the street in front of your house, and be infesting many houses in your neighborhood.
A moisture meter will not identify that type of thing.
But, it will tell you if you have a water leak.