I have found major termite infiltration in the all-wood addition to my shop. I have to tear it down and build a new one. So finances and more crucially TIME are being diverted to the demolition and reconstruction. On the plus side, the new one will be made with pressure-treated lumber (previous owner cheaped out) and will be 12' wide vice 8' wide, and will have windows and electricity. The electricity doesn't add much cost-wise, because I'd already bought the wire and pieces-parts to wire the back. When I get started depends on how much my cost estimate is for the wood. So I am delayed, but build session will be more fun as we'll be getting a lot more work room. For those close enough to help, I will be announcing a date for a 'barn raising' when we get the walls vertical and connect them, if anyone is willing to help. Food and drinks will be provided
I don't know the tribes of termites... I do know that beyond chewing on the wood, they're leaving little tunnels on the wall(s) and ceiling, and even a few vertical tunnels hanging in free space from the ceiling like stactites. Little arse-holes. The wood will be put in a nice pile, and burned. Take that, Termites!
The formosans are an invasive species of termite, much more destructive than native ones. Very nasty customers. Fire is a good plan.
The house itself has bait traps in the ground around it, so I know it's reasonably safe. The shop itself is metal-clad wood frame and I haven't seen any infiltration to the shop yet. Thank God.
Change of plans. The back part of the shop is to be emptied out and demolished, and we're just losing the extra space. The shed will be cleaned out and shelving installed to handle some storage needs. Replacing the back of the shop, even at original size, would have been on the order of $1500 or more. With the boys (Christopher and Stefan) coming over less and going to college in the next 1 or 2 years, we won't need the extra space as bad, and we can fit 4 (5 if they're friendly) in the shop proper. The big counter on the end will be cleared off, giving yet another spot for a boat to be built at. My craftsman shaper will be sold off/given away and that'll give more room on the far end of the building.
That is a shame about the shop, but it sounds line you have a good plan. Agree with the sentiment: kill it with fire. Suggest you rename the thread to "NEVER-TO-BE-SUFFICIENTLY-DAMNED-TERMITES"
The plan is being enhanced with adding outdoor workspace in the form of a covered porch (dirt floor) and picnic table for sheeting outdoors regardless of weather. It'll also help with temperature control, as it'll keep the hot Georgia sun from heating the front of the building. Loss of the rear junk room has inspired planning on clearing out the junk space under the work benches and installing drawers! Crazy to think of my shop getting organized, as anyone who's been there can attest.
Speaking as an architectural historian, keeping the sun off of the walls has been a crucial part of building for comfort in the south since the 18th century. Carry on that fine tradition!
Sounds like Subterranean Termites, They can do quite a bit of damage as the colonies can reach up to a million or more in numbers. I used to work for Terminix and inspected the bait stations you have in the ground. I hate to say it, but I lost all faith in bait stations after a year of changing them out. We made the call that the colony was collapsed only to have them drop out of the ceiling 2 months later. The problem with the sub's is they randomly forage, you could be killing a colony that has nothing to do with the ones that are destroying your Shed. as for the Formosans, we had a picture in the Hawaii office where they actually bored a hole through a steal I beam. If at all possible have the ground treated with Termador. much more effective
