This study determined whether termiticides (insecticides that are form
ulated and applied for termite control), applied according to label di
rections to the soil surrounding basement walls, can leach into founda
tion drainpipes. A licensed applicator injected silt loam and loamy sa
nd soils adjacent to full-scale basement walls with technical chlordan
e and chlorpyrifos, according to label directions, using standard rod-
injection equipment and procedures. During the rod injection, the term
iticide flowed directly into foundation drainpipes at a rate of 300 mg
technical chlordane and 180 mg chlorpyrifos per meter length of drain
pipe. More termiticide was injected into the soil at deeper depths th
an at shallower depths. Over an eight-month period, 2 mg technical chl
ordane and 16 mg chlorpyrifos per m length of drain pipe were leached
into the drainage system. It is concluded that, when applied according
to label directions, termiticide can leach from foundation drainpipes
, especially during injection. Recommendations include modifying equip
ment and the redding technique to eliminate direct injection into drai
npipes, increasing the number of injection holes to reduce termiticide
volume per hole, and modifying injection protocol when shrinkage crac
ks are present.