Termite and Wood Boring Insects - To Treat or Not?
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jcgc50
03-17-07, 10:00 AM
Our home was built in 1985. It is on a slab and is stick built. It has brick and vinyl veneer but all around the house brick meets the ground not vinyl.
It is located in Pensacola, FL. We bought the home in 1995 and have only had it inspected a couple of times for termites and no signs have been found in the home.
First, I suspect, given the date of construction, that chlordane was used to treat under the slab. Who knows how long that lasts.
I just had someone out who quoted a price to treat with Termidor and then offered a retreat contract for 10 years. They will quote a damage contract up to 25K but I didn't ask for pricing on that.
Would it be safe to just check for signs of termites on the home and do nothing or should we have the treatment?
If there real value in a damage contract. It is my understanding, perhaps incorrect, that they pay for damage only where they actively find termites. So, again assuming that is correct I see real potential for there to be infestation and it not be found for some time and then have a lot of damage which isn't covered?
Finally, does anyone know anything about Knox Pest Control?
It is located in Pensacola, FL. We bought the home in 1995 and have only had it inspected a couple of times for termites and no signs have been found in the home.
First, I suspect, given the date of construction, that chlordane was used to treat under the slab. Who knows how long that lasts.
I just had someone out who quoted a price to treat with Termidor and then offered a retreat contract for 10 years. They will quote a damage contract up to 25K but I didn't ask for pricing on that.
Would it be safe to just check for signs of termites on the home and do nothing or should we have the treatment?
If there real value in a damage contract. It is my understanding, perhaps incorrect, that they pay for damage only where they actively find termites. So, again assuming that is correct I see real potential for there to be infestation and it not be found for some time and then have a lot of damage which isn't covered?
Finally, does anyone know anything about Knox Pest Control?
twelvepole
04-05-07, 05:35 PM
Treat or not treat? Protect your investment or not? This is a decision you will have to make.
Termite inspections are of visible areas. Even an exterminator can not see in inconspicuous areas such as wall voids and may miss seeing termites.
Read the following:
http://www.economypest.com/termite_treatment.htm
http://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/newsletters/july2006/New_Florida_Termite_Treatment_Notice_Rules.htm
http://www.floridatermitehelp.org/
Termite inspections are of visible areas. Even an exterminator can not see in inconspicuous areas such as wall voids and may miss seeing termites.
Read the following:
http://www.economypest.com/termite_treatment.htm
http://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/newsletters/july2006/New_Florida_Termite_Treatment_Notice_Rules.htm
http://www.floridatermitehelp.org/
ocoee
04-06-07, 08:03 AM
NO do not treat
Check your water heater or electrical panel to see if there is a notice of what chemical was used
Chlordane last for the life of the structure unless you disturb the barrier, which is exactly what a new liquid treat would do.
Fifteen years ago I was talking to an old termite guy who had been in the business for about ten or fifteen years at the time.
He told me that in all his years he had never had to do a retreat on a chlordane treatment. At that time bonds were about $30 to $50 per year and were more or less a nuisance charge for keeping you on the books.
We typically didn't even do the yearly reinspections even on repair guarantees. If we did it was usually what we called a Drive-By Re-I, we drove by if the house was still there we assumed that the treatment was still effective. We had that much confidence in the product even though we bore the total financial burden if we were wrong
The newest chemicals do not have that type of residual or respect from the industry.
You should cut the veneer or stucco back to above soil level so that you can see any mud tunnels that the termites must use to travel.
Place white pine stakes every ten feet or so around your house drive them in to a lower level than the foundation and just inside the drip line. Pull the stakes up and visually inspect them every once in awhile, maybe monthly, and replace them when they get moldy
If you notice termites in the stakes that still doesn't mean that your house has termites, call in the pros to do an inspection.
Hidden termites will make their presence known in the spring.
If you feel that you must have treatment use the Sentricon system and get a repair guarantee
Always get at least three estimates, let the companies know that you are shopping and make the deal in the winter whenever possible and always always always get a repair guarrantee
Check your water heater or electrical panel to see if there is a notice of what chemical was used
Chlordane last for the life of the structure unless you disturb the barrier, which is exactly what a new liquid treat would do.
Fifteen years ago I was talking to an old termite guy who had been in the business for about ten or fifteen years at the time.
He told me that in all his years he had never had to do a retreat on a chlordane treatment. At that time bonds were about $30 to $50 per year and were more or less a nuisance charge for keeping you on the books.
We typically didn't even do the yearly reinspections even on repair guarantees. If we did it was usually what we called a Drive-By Re-I, we drove by if the house was still there we assumed that the treatment was still effective. We had that much confidence in the product even though we bore the total financial burden if we were wrong
The newest chemicals do not have that type of residual or respect from the industry.
You should cut the veneer or stucco back to above soil level so that you can see any mud tunnels that the termites must use to travel.
Place white pine stakes every ten feet or so around your house drive them in to a lower level than the foundation and just inside the drip line. Pull the stakes up and visually inspect them every once in awhile, maybe monthly, and replace them when they get moldy
If you notice termites in the stakes that still doesn't mean that your house has termites, call in the pros to do an inspection.
Hidden termites will make their presence known in the spring.
If you feel that you must have treatment use the Sentricon system and get a repair guarantee
Always get at least three estimates, let the companies know that you are shopping and make the deal in the winter whenever possible and always always always get a repair guarrantee