Termites at the clerk's office
Area that is cordoned off due to termite infestation
Plastic sheets separate employees from the termites
Circuit Court Clerk's office is on top floor of courthouse
An office at the historic Hamilton County Courthouse is dealing with swarms of termites after a leaky roof caused rotting walls.
Susan Sissom, chief deputy to Circuit Court Clerk Larry Henry, said the alarming swarms first showed up about a month ago in the office snack room.
She said the annoying insects appeared to her to be termites, but the pest control specialist she talked to on the phone doubted that because the office is at the first top of the 1913 courthouse. The specialist said termites generally start at the ground level and tunnel their way up.
But the specialist later had to admit it was termites after all.
Ms. Sissom said more termite swarms showed up a couple of weeks later.
The office finally had to cordon off a row of desks next to the wall facing Sixth Street. They are now cut off by a long plastic sheet.
Ms. Sissom said that section next to the wall has been thoroughly treated in the battle with the termites.
She said the rotted wall will have to be replaced.
Ms. Sissom said the flat roof above the clerk's office has leaked for years, leaving a number of sections of rotted wood that invited the termites.
Specialists now believe the termites got in via a gutter.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger noted the unexpected termite problem is one reason the county has a large rainy day fund.
The replacement of the roof and repair of the rotted wood is expected to be an expensive proposition.