Everything you always wanted to know about France - from France

Property in France - Termites

Invasions of termites: how to react?

The invasion of termites has^pread to three quarters of France, only the north-eastern quarter being still saved for climatic reasons (the termites do not like the cold). But, even in the zones nonconcerned, the obligation of declaration in the event of invasion remains pressing.

What is the problem?

Termites are insects blanchâtres, from 5 to 7 millimetres length, not very visible out of their natural environment, the ground and the wood, which nourish cellulose that they find in abundance in nature but also in the residential areas, and particularly in the dwellings close to a source of moisture. In light, these small small beasts eat wood and the plaster, in which one also finds cellulose.

The principal concern is that the termites almost do not leave traces of sawdusts outside wood attacked and can thus nibble your frames or your staircases in all impunity. There are however some demonstrations (with difficulty) perceptible of their presence. If sinuous and vertical galleries are apparent, as well as networks of stalactites, or that small openings bordered of blacks appear on the plaster, the house doubtless is infested by the termites.

When they attack, the termites profiled starting from the wetlands of the dwelling, the cellars in first generally then they climb while passing by the infiltrations, the seals or the drains. The damage can then of as much significant than they are invisible for nona professional, except at a advanced stage, when it is too late. Moreover, in addition to the fact of weakening the structure of the building, these insects can also damage the electric installations.

There are roughly 2.000 species of termites in France, distributed on the three-quarters of the French territory. Nearly 50 prefectures of department decrees have besides to delimit the touched zones. For the moment only the North-eastern quarter seems saved for climatic reasons.

What are the regulations in force?

The decree n°2000-613 of July 3, 2000 requires that a parasitic study carried out by an approved technician be given in appendix of the sale contract. The document thus certifies noe interference of the dwelling by the xylophagous insects. This obligation applies in the communal and departmental zones covered by a decree of protection.

But even in a geographical area nonconcerned by a decree of protection, as soon as you are informed of the presence of termites in your building, you must make the statement in town hall of it. This obligation of declaration rests on the occupant, that is to say, generally, the tenant or the owner. Why the tenant can't be satisfied to warn its owner? Quite simply because the law then gives to the mayor the capacity to make carry out office the work imposed by the fight against the termites, work that not very scrupulous owners could feel reluctant to carry out, passing the problem under silence then, with the risk to contaminate a whole district. If the building is unoccupied, it is to the owner to make the statement. In the case of a condominium, the obligation of declaration rests on the trade union of the joint owners for the common parts.

In the event of absence of certificate or declaration, the contraveners expose themselves, inter alia, with a municipal or prefectoral injunction to complete work, even a fine from 1.500 to 7.500 euros.

What are the solutions?

The first thing to be made is to require a diagnosis carried out by an expert. This one must know the biology of the xylophagous insects to seek all the possible routes in the building.

As for the treatment it can be curative, preventive, even both at the same time. The curative treatment consists in injecting chemicals to kill the small beast present in wood. More elaborate products can also act as 'durcisseurs' in the galleries, thus reinforcing the weakened structure. But once the touched dwelling, if the chemical methods of treatment do not miss (produced insecticidal, injections in the frames, spreadings, etc), they must then be followed by preventive processes, like repulsive varnishes for example. Attention, these chemicals can have harmful effects for the inexperienced users or even for the occupants in the event of bad application, it is not absolutely an operation to carry out oneself. More especially as a single treatment is not sufficient (the chemical barrier created will have to be maintained). Taking into account biology and social behavior of the termites, only of the confirmed professionals is able to ensure a durable protection of the goods.

The preventive treatment consists in for its part chemically treating the places by the means of barriers: insecticide spreading on the ground around the house, insecticide injection under pressure in the walls and external treatment of all the wooded parts.

Note that there is also a system, to implement during a new building, which consists in of a film of protection placing under the foundations (for more precise details consult our article ' the insulation possible anti-termites as of the foundations ').

Who deals with work?

The diagnosis is carried out by an expert who can be approved by Qualibat or the technical Center of wood and furnishing (CTBA). Generally the cost of the diagnosis is at the neighbourhoods of 150 euros.

Work is completed by a company specialized (different from the analyst) in the treatment against the insects and the acarina. The cost can vary according to the state of the house. At all events, there are assistances of the national Agency for the improvement of habitat (ANAH) to reduce the invoice (for more precise details consult our file ' Aids and Subsidies ').