Experts to give free seminars on termite control in Hawaii

HONOLULU—A familiar sight to many Hawaii residents is the annual termite swarms. Swarming season is in May and June, but small swarms may occur at any time. Swarms only occur on warm, humid, nearly windless nights, and last about half an hour.

Termites are a serious problem throughout Hawaii, with costs to residents exceeding an estimated $100 million annually to control and repair termite damage, according to the University of Hawaii.

Homeowners will have the opportunity to gain tips on how to prevent and control termite damage at two free public information seminars sponsored by the UH Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Led by termite experts Julian Yates and J. Kenneth Grace, the seminars will be held on Thursday, September 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McKinley Community School for Adults, and on Wednesday, September 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Windward Community College. There will be a question-and-answer session following each presentation.

Registration is required for those interested in attending, and can be done by contacting McKinley High School Community School for Adults at (808) 594-0540 or visiting http://mcsa.k12.hi.us/; and Windward Community College’s Office of Continuing Education and Training at (808) 235-7433 or visiting http://www.hawaii.edu/calendar/wcc-ocet/2010/09/22/12916.html.

The UH Manoa Termite Project: Educate to Eradicate addresses research, extension, and instruction, and brings UH scientists together with the community in an effort to control termite damage to residences and public buildings. 

For more information about termites and UH research projects, visit http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/termite/forthepublic/events/index.html.