TREATING TERMITES IN POOLS AND/OR POOL LINERS

    This article is about POOLS AND TERMITES.
It will explain why termites are attracted to
pools and why this is bad. The article will
then detail how you can prevent termite damage
to pool structures and pool liners as well
as list products and treatment methods. 
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   We have separate articles on how to treat homes
for termites post construction as well as articles 
on how to pre-treat a home for termites during the
construction process. These articles also contain
great detail about termite biology and we suggest
you read through them if this is your interest.
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   Termites are a problem found in just about any
region of the world. They are largely responsible
for the bulk of recycling that occurs naturally;
termites are arguably the largest re cycler of 
wood (cellulose) and without them, earth would
be in trouble. They are clearly an integral part
of the ecosystem; however, their ferocious appetite
and constant search for wood and water leads them 
on a path which many times conflicts with man. The
focus point of this article will be when termites
target pools, specifically pool liners and pool
structures. If you have questions or concerns about
termites and your home, go back to our article
archive section which features in depth information
on this important topic as well.
   Termites spend most of their time targeting
cellulose (known as wood) and water. These are 
the two ingredients needed by any termite colony. 
There are many places where termites will find
both wood and water including structures, forests
and the general landscaping around most any home.
Pools can be such an area. Most pools have the two 
ingredients termites need to survive and will
become the main target of any termite colony if
given the chance. This could happen anywhere a
pool is installed but it seems to happen more
in arid regions or when any one region is
experiencing a drought. During dry times termites
get desperate for moisture and will target any
body or source of water. 

    
	POOL DESIGN: DO TERMITES DISCRIMINATE?
	
   There are many types of pools being built these
days. Pools made of cement, gunite and other solid
materials similar to rock are generally not going
to have problems with termites. Pools which utilize
any type of liner can and this will include both
in ground and above ground designs. In ground pools
can have a lot of wood involved in the construction
but there are those which use little to no wood.
Above ground pools usually have little wood involved
but tend to have a lot added in the shape of decks,
walk ways, stairs and supporting framework to house
such pool necessities as equipment and filters.
Any type which uses a liner is susceptible to termite
damage; pools which use both wood and liners have
the two ingredients termites spend their lives
targeting.
   In ground pools typically have some wood beams
installed which are laid in the ground. Liners 
are set over these foundations and though the wood
used will many times be pressure treated or
impregnated with some type of protective chemical,
such treatments will break down over time. This
breakdown, combined with the moisture wood will
typically absorb from the ground, is the basis
of a good termite food recipe.
   In ground pools which don't utilize wood but
instead have chosen all manmade supplies are at
risk as well. Termites will be drawn to these
pools because of their water or termites will find 
them by mistake. Since termites almost always have 
some part of their colony out on a "seek and find" 
mission for both food and water, in ground pools 
can't hide even if they are made with all synthetic 
material. Their thin liners are not enough to 
hide the water which lies inside. Termites will
detect the water and target any weak part of a
pools design. As our on line article about termite 
biology describes, most any active termite colony 
will have thousands of termites out and about 
seeking moisture and new food supplies - even when 
the colony already has ample supplies. This is one
of their natural defenses and allows them to have 
"priority" supplies so that when main targets are 
lost, lower priority water and wood are at hand 
and can be farmed. This constant search will 
inevitably bring some termites to find most any 
in ground pool at some point during the pools
existence. Termites ability to detect water - even 
through thick pool liners - will initiate an
interest. If they desire or need the water bad
enough, they will chew their way through causing
leaks. Slow at first, water loss will almost be
non-detectable. However, most termite harvesting
of water will tend to increase and as more and
more access holes are created, water loss will be
fast and noticeable. Soon, water loss will so
bad the liner will have to be replaced. Many 
people believe termites "ate" their liner when 
in fact the termites really "ate through" the 
liner (at this point we don't think termites 
are able to digest and convert plastic to food!). 
   Above ground pools aren't ignored either so
don't decide to install one thinking it will be
termite proof. In fact, above ground pools have
many problems which are unique onto themselves.
First, their liners will come in contact with
some ground. This usually is the bottom or floor
of the liner. Foraging termites will readily find
these contact points. The fact is that termites in
any colony whose job it is to seek out and
find water and cellulose will many times follow
shallow pathways stay close to the surface
of the ground. This is probably an instinctive
behavior formed over the thousands and thousands
of years termites have foraged and found wood.
Since most naturally dead and decaying wood will
be found on or near the surface of the ground,
foraging shallow only makes sense. Above ground
pools are therefore right on top of where termites
will naturally be looking! Furthermore, above
ground pools commonly have wood decks installed
which will become a strong termite attractant.
Pool filters, back washing and common maintenance 
routines that are done around above ground pools 
almost always involve water. This constant supply
of water will create damp, moist areas which
termites love. Don't think the chlorine in the
water will kill off any termites either; any
chemical present when the water first finds soil
will dissipate within a few hours. In other words, 
don't be surprised if termites show up around your 
above ground pool in the form of a swarm or just
armies of white workers who are targeting any little
piece of wood they can find. Such areas are ideal
for termites and they will readily move into them
once found. From there it won't be long till they 
chew through the pools lining. In other words,
termites don't discriminate between in ground or
above ground pool design; they seem to like it
all and anywhere water and wood can be found.
   Worth mentioning is the impact any plant growth
can have under lining or in the framework of in
ground pools. Plants are strong and if the right
amount of water finds seeds which are buried
under a liner, there is a chance the seeds could
grow. This growth generally won't lead to anything
and most any seed that does get a chance to
sprout growth will die off without sun light or
other important variables. However, there are
many hearty and persistent weeds which don't give
up easily. If pools - more importantly pool liners -
are installed during late winter, early spring or
early summer months, there is always a risk of plant 
growth damage. Though not common, there are many 
types of weeds which are more then strong enough to 
poke holes through any liner. If you are installing 
a new pool or replacing an old damaged liner, be 
sure to read through the next section of this article. 
It will explain what steps are needed to insure you 
won't get any unwanted plant growth or termite 
chewing under the new liner you are about to lay down. 

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO INSTALL A NEW POOL OR IF YOU
ARE REPLACING A DAMAGED POOL LINER, READ ON TO LEARN 
THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP
STOP FUTURE TERMITE OR PLANT GROWTH DAMAGE.

   As explained above, the act of installing a pool 
is usually a good enough reason for termites to come
around looking to cause some damage. If you are in a
region with a lot of termite activity or moisture,
this risk is even greater. Furthermore, most regions
which have a lot of moisture usually have a lot of
plant growth. Since termites and plants can and do
cause all kinds of problems for in ground and above
ground pools, it makes sense to do a little preventive
treatment to make sure they don't. The extra cost
to termite and weed proof the ground on which any 
pool will sit is small compared to the cost of pool
repair. So small is this cost that anyone installing
a pool for the first time should invest the extra time
and effort needed to get these treatments done. And
don't expect the company installing the pool or liner
to offer such a service; remember, they are in the
business of replacing damaged pool parts - not stopping
it from happening! Though some companies offer some
type of protection for these two concerns, most don't
even mention it can happen till a few years later when
you call to get a new liner. Expect to hear about it
then, when its long too late, and the damage has already
happened. To prevent plant growth damage or termite
damage from ever happening, there are two materials 
that can be applied to the soil directly under the pool.
   First, it is necessary to get a good measurement
of the amount of square feet that will be touching
the pool liner and supporting framework. For an above
ground round pool, which only has its bottom sitting on
the ground, the formula for making this measurement
is: Pi * r^2. "Pi" has the rounded off value of 3.14
and "r" represents the radius of the pool. This will
be 1/2 the width. For example, an above ground pool,
18 feet wide, has a radius of 9 feet. First, square
the radius, which is 9 x 9 or 81. Next, multiply
3.14 times 81 and you will have the area of liner
touching soil or about 254-255 sq/ft. Not much but
more then enough to warrant a weed and termite
pretreatment. If the pool is going to be an above
ground 18 foot wide by 36 foot long pool, the area
is easier to calculate. Just multiply 18 x 36 and
you find the area of liner touching soil will be
648 feet. For in ground pools, it is important
to calculate the bottom but don't forget the sides.
Most will have four sides but pools which have a
side or two above ground are common and any side
not touching soil should not be counted. If you
need help calculating this value, just give us
a call or fax us the dimensions and other vital
information so we can make the calculation for you.
   Once the square footage has been measured reasonably
well, the proper amount of herbicide and termiticide
can be used to insure adequate protection for the
soil and pool parts which will be touching the soil.
Since there are so many types of plants that may
pose a problem to any liner installation, it is
best to use a soil sterilent and post emergent plant
killer. PRAMITOL is such a product. It mixes
with water and lasts several months. Soil which 
is treated with Pramitol won't be able to grow
anything. It will also kill any plants that have
already started to grow. Use one of the many types 
of SPRAYERS available to apply the Pramitol and allow 
it to dry at least two hours before the liner is 
installed. If you don't intend on installing the liner
for another day or two, consider covering the soil
with a tarp. This will protect the treatment from
rain and sun. Both will break the chemical down which
in turn will take away from its effectiveness so don't
let it sit out in the open for extended periods of
time. Get the liner installed as soon as possible
once its treated.
   Termite treatment involves impregnating the soil
with a TERMITICIDE CONCENTRATE much the same way a
house is treated. For a home, the soil around the 
foundation is traditionally treated with a termite
concentrate, left to dry, and redone every 5 years
or so. The soil under a pool will remain treated
much longer since it will be covered and protected
from the rain and sun. Such treatments, if enough
chemical is used, will last 10 plus years which
means the treatment should outlast the liner. Use one
of the SPRAYERS like that used to apply the Pramitol.
Make a uniform and equal application and allow it
to dry at least 2 hours before installing the liner.
Neither the Pramitol or the Termiticide sprayed will
have any impact on the liner or the pool infrastructure.
Remember, the materials are being mixed with so
much water and are so dilute by the time they dry
that the net effect is like spraying water on
the liner and no chemical.Also, its pretty hard to
over apply and have too much product but if you don't
use enough, termites could get to the liner well
before its natural life would be over. In other
words, its better to apply more then not enough.

   In summary, termites present a real threat to
pools and their liners. Plants that grow once pools
are installed can also cause damage to sensitive
infrastructure and seals. To make sure you don't
experience any such damage, pretreat the soil around
and underneath the pool with both a soil sterilent
and a termite concentrate. This will insure a long
life for your pool and its components.
   
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