"Rick F." writes in article dated Mon, 02 Oct 2006 05:59:08 GMT:
I got some tree trimmings from a couple not too far from us and I
am planning on using it for smoking (meats).. It's from a nice large
(and dead) nectarine tree, but upon cutting it down it was found that
there were termites consuming it to some degree about midway up the 20' tree..
I suspect they've been there a while.. Anyway, they don't really pose
much of an issue for what I'm using them for, but I would like to ensure
that the little buggers can't get out and start eating my (or a neighbors)
house.. If I had an average sized vacuum pump which could be used to pull
a vacuum on a trash bag with some of the infested branches in them, would
that be sufficient to kill the termites (similar to taking them to the
moon?) after a while (several days or weeks) in that environment?..

Anyway, just thought I'd check as I'm sure nobody has done that
sort of experiment

I doubt a trash bag could hold any serious vacuum without rupturing.

On top of that, insects are extraordinarily recuperative. You can drown a
housefly for hours or even days, then dry him off in a pile of salt and
he'll fly away.

The important concept in termite prevention is to have a chemical barrier
between the soil/outside stuff and the house's wood. So don't bring the
branches inside, and don't lean them against the house, and you'll be fine.

-- spud_demon -at- thundermaker.net
The above may not (yet) represent the opinions of my employer.