Lisa from Norwich, Ct writes
Is it safe to treat the trees? And will it harm the water from the well, that is used for drinking, etc in my house? I also want to spray the perimeter of my house to treat termites ants, etc from entering but am worried that when the chemical reaches the grass or dirt ground, assuming it will seep down to the water supply for the well, will we be harmed? I have a young child in the home and haven't taken the chance. I have some of this chemical on hand leftover from bed bug treatment.
We do not recommend treating the trees with Temprid SC for termite control. Termites do not normally attack live, healthy trees so you most likely will not find any products that will work as a ground barrier around the trees. Most people are primarily concerned with protecting the big investment, their home, and Termidor SC would be the product to use for that. It is only labeled to be used adjacent to the structure though. Please take a moment to read over our article on "How to do a Termite Treatment" for complete details. Termidor SC can be applied up against the structure (1ft up and 1 ft out) for a perimeter for ant control.
Termidor SC is not known to leech through the soil. You will need to follow the Termidor SC product label which has specific instructions for treating near a well to avoid any contamination issues:
TREATMENT AROUND WELLS OR CISTERNS: Do not contaminate wells or cisterns.
Structures With Wells/Cisterns Inside Foundations: Structures that contain wells or cisterns within the foundation of a structure can only be treated using the following techniques:
1. Do not apply within 5 feet of any well or cistern by rodding and/or trenching or by the backfill method. Treat soil between 5 and 10 feet from the well or cistern by the backfill method only. Treatment of soil adjacent to water pipes within 3 feet of grade should only be done by the backfill method.
a) Trench and remove soil to be treated onto heavy plastic sheeting or similar material or into a wheelbarrow.
b) Treat the soil at the rate of 4 gallons of solution per 10 linear feet per foot of depth of the trench, or 1 gallon per 1.0 cubic feet of soil. Mix thoroughly into the soil taking care to contain the liquid and prevent runoff or spillage.
c) After the treated soil has absorbed the solution, replace the soil into the trench.
Structures With Adjacent Wells/Cisterns and/or Other Water Bodies: Applicators must inspect all structures with nearby water sources such as wells, cisterns, surface ponds, streams, and other bodies of water and evaluate, at a minimum, the treatment recommendations listed below prior to making an application.
1. Prior to treatment, if feasible, expose the water pipes) coming from the well to the structure, if the pipes) enter the structure within 3 feet of grade.
2. Prior to treatment applicators are advised to take precautions to limit the risk of applying the termiticide into subsurface drains that could empty into any bodies of water. These precautions include evaluating whether application of the termiticide to the top of the footer may result in contamination of the subsurface drain. Factors such as depth to the drain system and soil type and degree of compaction should be taken into account in determining the depth of treatment.
3. When appropriate (i.e., on the water side of the structure), the treated backfill technique (described above) can also be used to minimize off-site movement of termiticide.
Answer last updated on: 02/28/2017
