Over the past few months, we have come across termite damage several times while visiting properties for site inspections.
Early summer is a season when we would especially like people to be careful.
This time, I would like to talk about a truly frightening type of termite.
Do Not Forget Regular Termite Treatment
At our company, we of course carry out anti-termite treatment when building a new property.
However, the warranty period is usually five years.
After that, we recommend having termite treatment carried out regularly.
What happens if a house is left unchecked for a long time?
We recently saw a case that shows this very clearly.
In this case, the owner had not noticed a water leak.
Rainwater had softened the wooden column, and Japanese subterranean termites had eaten almost all of it.
By the time the damage was discovered, the column was nearly gone.
According to the owner, “Now that I think about it, every year in early summer, many winged insects used to fly onto the wall”.
If you see what are called “winged termites”, please arrange an inspection as soon as possible.
Most importantly, do not leave water leaks untreated.
Investigating a water leak costs money, and repair work can also become expensive.
But just like illness, early detection is very important.
If a water leak becomes worse, termite damage may also spread.
The more serious the damage becomes, the higher the repair cost is likely to be.
In older houses, another common issue is that the waterproofing of a tiled bathroom has failed.
It is not unusual to find that the area under the bathroom has been badly damaged by termites.
Please consider proper maintenance before the damage becomes serious.
The Frightening Invasive Species: Incisitermes minor
Have you ever heard of Incisitermes minor, commonly known in Japanese as “Amerika Kanzai Shiroari”?
In recent years, this frightening termite has been spreading even in the Kanto region.
When most people hear the word “termite”, they probably imagine termites that prefer damp places, enter a building from the ground, and damage the lower parts of columns and foundations.
The termites commonly known in Japan, such as Yamato shiroari and Ie shiroari, are basically termites closely related to moisture.
However, Incisitermes minor has very different characteristics.
The word “kanzai” means “dry wood”.
In other words, this termite can live inside dry wood.
Although it is called a “white ant” in Japanese, it is not really white.
It is more like black or dark brown in color.
Unlike ordinary termites, Incisitermes minor does not necessarily enter a building from the ground or from under the floor.
Winged termites may fly into the building and enter wooden parts around the exterior walls, window frames, roof spaces, eaves, shutter boxes, columns and studs inside walls, and sometimes even furniture.
They can live inside that wood.
They may also enter through openings such as attic vents.
This is what makes Incisitermes minor so troublesome.
It enters directly into the wood, lives in small colonies inside the wood, and appears to eat the wood little by little from the inside.
One of the signs that can help you notice them is their droppings.
Incisitermes minor lives inside wood and pushes out dry, sand-like droppings.
These small grains may accumulate around window frames, or in gaps between exterior siding and flashing.
If you clean them up, but they appear again in the same place after a while, they may not be ordinary sand or dust.
They may be droppings from Incisitermes minor.
These small grains, often mixed in white and dark brown colors, are one of the characteristic signs.
What makes this termite so frightening is that the damage progresses quietly and is difficult to notice.
Damage may occur not only under the floor, but also inside walls, above the ceiling, in roof framing, and around windows.
In other words, the common idea that “termites are under the floor” does not work with this species.
Another major problem is that it is difficult to exterminate.
It is hard to identify exactly where they are.
Even if one part of the building is treated, they may remain in another area.
Treatment is needed not only under the floor, but for the whole building.
If the damage has already spread, continuous inspections and repeated treatments may be necessary.
There are also methods such as installing nets to prevent their entry.
Incisitermes minor is not originally native to Japan.
It is believed to have been brought into Japan together with imported wood, furniture, or other wooden products.
In the past, it was considered a problem limited to certain areas, but it has now been found in more than half of Japan’s prefectures, and there are concerns that its habitat may expand further.
From what we hear from people working in the field, in some parts of Tokyo’s 23 wards, the situation already seems to be beyond simply saying that “they have been confirmed”.
For example, there have apparently been cases where droppings were found during the middle of new construction, after the structural framing was completed and carpentry work was underway.
When the building was inspected, Incisitermes minor had already settled inside.
They can enter houses under construction, newly built houses, houses without any water leaks, and even furniture.
Because the damage can occur not only under the floor but also in the upper parts of the house, such as the attic, the cost of termite treatment can become very high.
Even then, it may not be possible to say with certainty that they have been completely eliminated.
These are the characteristics of Incisitermes minor.
What to Do If You Are Worried About Termite Damage
If you are worried about termite damage, the first step is to ask a specialist company to inspect the property and prepare an estimate.
Many well-known companies, including major house cleaning companies, organizations, and professional associations, also provide referral services.
If you know the construction company that built your house, it may also be a good idea to consult them.
Since the inspection will involve parts of the house that you cannot easily check by yourself, please make sure to consult someone you can trust.
However, if the inspection shows that the termite is Incisitermes minor, there may be only a limited number of companies that can handle the work.
Because its characteristics are different from ordinary Yamato shiroari or Ie shiroari, it is difficult to identify the damaged areas and exterminate the termites.
For that reason, some companies may not be able to accept the job.
For example, Nakano City in Tokyo provides links to specialist companies and associations related to termite consultation on its website.
https://www.city.tokyo-nakano.lg.jp/kenko_hukushi/pet-eisei/pet-doubutsu/shiroari.html
The Cost May Be Eligible for a Tax Deduction
There is one more thing worth knowing about the cost.
If your house has been damaged by termites, repair costs and extermination costs may be eligible for a casualty loss deduction when you file your tax return in Japan.
However, costs for preventing termite damage in advance, or preventive treatment carried out together with extermination, are not considered eligible for this deduction.
Whether you can actually receive the deduction depends on the details of the damage and the expenses.
Please check the website of the National Tax Agency, or consult your local tax office or a tax accountant for details.
https://www.nta.go.jp/law/shitsugi/shotoku/05/01.htm
In Closing
Termite damage may already be progressing by the time you notice it.
Regular self-checks of your home are important. However, if you notice anything unusual, such as winged termites, sand-like droppings, sinking floors, or changes around columns, baseboards, or other wooden parts, please do not leave it untreated.
It is important to consult a trusted specialist as early as possible.
A wooden house is something that should be maintained properly while people continue to live in it.
Before the damage spreads, please take the time to check your home carefully.