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A MOD, MOD WORLD

If you’ve ever looked at a Mid-century ranch style or A-frame home and wondered if the interior matches the exterior, now’s your chance for an answer. The sixth annual Arlington Mod & More Tour—held October 26- 27—highlights local homes built in the 1950s and ‘60s. While there’s plenty of inspiration for Mid-century design geeks, this year’s event goes way out of the era, too, featuring the landmark Marabanong mansion in Empire Point. The Queen Anne style house was built in 1876 and added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2013. Tour tickets are $20 at 904tix.com u v

A Bug’s Life How to protect your house against a most destructive invasive species

BY ALLY SORRELS

IN 2016, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CUMMER MUSEUM’S WOMEN’S CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE WAS INFESTED BY A MASS OF INVADERS. But even with millions invested into the building and plans to utilize it for community outreach and education programs, the invasion brought about the demise of the 1920s Tudor-style building. What was the horrific species that led to the demolition of the historic building? Formosan termites. Despite a team of entomologists, architects, and engineers collaborating to save the building, the species is so aggressive that the museum decided to cut its losses while still ahead. According to a statement released by the Cummer, “There is no guarantee the termites will not return, and none of the pest control companies consulted were willing to provide a bond against Formosan termite damage.” And since reinfestation is common, the museum’s Board of Trustees made the difficult decision that it would be fiscally irresponsible to continue spending money on the renovation project, estimated at $10 million. To learn more about this specific species, we spoke to Paul Mitola, environmental consultant with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Dr. Nan-Yao Su, professor of entomology for University of Florida’s Research and Education Center. Native to China, Formosan termites have been transported to other areas, including the Southeastern U.S. As one of the most destructive pests in the world, they are estimated to annually cause more

GREEN WITH ENVY Paint maker Behr predicts homeowners will be bringing the outside in come next year. In August, the brand announced its 2020 Color of the Year, Back to Nature, a subdued green shade that works in both residential and commercial spaces. “Green is nature’s favorite color. It’s kind of like nature’s neutral,” says Erika Woelfel, Behr vice president of color and creative services. In other words, it’s a goes-with-anything shade that works as well on a statement wall as it does on a mantel. “There are infinite ways to layer it,” adds Woelfel. u

than one billion dollars in damage in Florida alone; they can cause anywhere from 10 to 20 times more damage than native subterranean termites. “Each colony is estimated to be between one and 10 million individuals,” says Mitola. “They consume any type of cellu- lose, including plants, trees, paper products, and wood construction elements. They also tunnel readily through any type of foam insulation.” With the ability to infiltrate such a broad range of materials, Mitola suggests an array of precautionary measures to protect homes from an invasion. Protection begins by ensuring gutters and drainage systems extend at least one foot from the house, planting landscape at least one foot away from the house, directing sprinklers away from your home, and immediately repairing any cracks, holes, or leaks—but it doesn’t stop there. “Have your house protected by a termite contract with a licensed pest control company that covers Formosan termites,” suggests Mitola. “Be vigilant [and] check your own home regularly, once a year may not be enough.” Aside from inspecting the inside of your home for wood defects (be sure to check everything, from your trim and baseboards to your crown molding and cabinets), there are other signs Mitola warns against. Check for mud tubes—which resemble tree or plant roots but can be as small as a straw—on the exterior foundation or in the crawl space. During the swarming season (April to June), be on the lookout for termites around your lights in the evenings. And you may even want to con- sider repelling the insects by replacing outdoor lighting with yellow lights. But if your house still happens to get invaded, Mitola stresses the importance of hiring a licensed pest professional. Even for a licensed company, the species is very hard to obliterate and there are specific ways to treat them. “Check their references, and be sure you read their contract [to ensure they cover Formosan termites],” suggests Mitola. “Treatments can be done as soil treat- ments around and under the structure, the installation of baiting systems, around the outside of the structure, and the use of ‘on-wood’ treatments.” If you fail to get the right treatment, the termites will rapidly cause destruction. “Termites are social insects, and a termite does not act alone,” says Su. “They form a colony that acts like an individual. The problem with FST is that it forms a large colony that may contain several million termites, extending up to 300 feet from side to side.” With that said, it’s so crucial to take the appropriate actions if your home does get invaded to halt their spread throughout a neighborhood. u