Termite control/protection policies

[jlongman]

Our one year termite protection is about to expire. We have received notice to renew for $125 a year. A) is it necessary? B) is it worth it? C) who do you recommend?
There are many opportunities to spend money here in The Villages. We should strive to do it widely.

[Phanatic Luvr]

This is your decision however, if you don't renew, your termite bond is discontinued, meaning if you would get termites, the entire cost to exterminate, eliminate and repair is on you. It's like an insurance policy against the termites. See who did you home originally, it should be listed in the garage on your electric box. We use Dean's, as they did ours originally. Cost is $150.00 per year. Good luck!

[Barefoot]

Our one year termite protection is about to expire. We have received notice to renew for $125 a year. A) is it necessary? B) is it worth it?

Better safe than sorry.

[Fourpar]

A. Yes!, B. Yes!
This is Florida...moist sand, warm climate, wood --- a smorgasbord for termites!

[Bonanza]

I have lived in termite prone areas since 1983, mostly in Florida My husband was raised in southwest Florida and has lived here for over 60 years.
We have lived in a number of different houses and neither of us has ever had termites or termite insurance.

Don't let your friends and these companies who sell that "protection" scare you.
There have been few instances of termites here in TV.
The homes are newer and although it you could possibly have termites, the odds are against having them for many, many years.
That's why these companies sell insurance!!! That's how they make their big bucks.

Go with your gut and do what you're comfortable with doing, but don't let scare tactics influence you.

[Barefoot]

..... but don't let scare tactics influence you.

You may be right. Those of us who weren't brought up in Florida are probably easy targets.
Termite insurance, pest control, heartworm for dogs -- I opt in because I figure
it's best to be safe.

[jimbo2012]

They are only selling insurance, drive over where new houses are built ask the guys doing the treatment they will tell you it last well over 5 years.

Ask the building dept why there's 6+ inches of concrete slab showing below the vinyl siding.

It is very easy to see termite tunnels on that 6" exposed slab, when our 1 year was up they came to do a free inspection I walked around with the guy.
All he did was look at the concrete, I asked what he's looking for.
Tunnels, ok do you find them often, nope!

So on the insurance deal do you re-treat if you see them? yes

But that really doesn't happen much, not really a few house in the older sections he said.

The key is to have rain gutters (better insurance than termite) keep bedding away from foundation 6+ inches.

Be your own inspector......................simple take the money you save over the years an go on a cruise

.


Don't let your friends and these companies who sell that "protection" scare you.
There have been few instances of termites here in TV.
The homes are newer and although it you could possibly have termites, the odds are against having them for many, many years.
That's why these companies sell insurance!!! That's how they make their big bucks.

[gomoho]

I wonder if those advising it's not necessary will also step up to the plate to cover any damage the termites that won't happen will cause. Do what is in your gut. I had termites in my attic space in North Carolina. No sign of tubes on the exterior. Also had them in the 2nd story of my Jacksonville Fla home (was maybe 8 years old). Small price to pay for peace of mind.

[tuccillo]

I would not put termite insurance, pest control, and heartworm for dogs in the same category. You absolutely need to give your dog heartworm pills, the others are optional. If your dog contracts heartworm, he/she is in for a difficult treatment.

You may be right. Those of us who weren't brought up in Florida are probably easy targets.
Termite insurance, pest control, heartworm for dogs -- I opt in because I figure
it's best to be safe.

[jimbo2012]

According to this termites can't survive here in the attic

Heat is a nonchemical option for treatments. Excessive heat kills drywood termites by disrupting cellular membranes and denaturing enzymes needed for their survival. The treatment process involves heating all wood in the structure to a minimum of 120°F and holding this temperature for at least 33 minutes. The benefit of heat treatment is the ability to treat the entire structure without the use of chemicals and the relatively short period of time the structure must be vacated (hours instead of days, as with the use of fumigants)

If you've been in the attic here it gets well above 120 degrees here.

So that shouldn't be an issue, just continue to look at the foundation IMO.

[jnieman]

My termite guy said that in some of the older sections of the Villages that termites have been found. When our original termite protection expired we went without it for several years and now our house is 8 years old. We picked up the coverage again just by having an inspection done. Fertigator covers our house for termites and we find the price reasonable. Make sure you compare apples to apples when comparing plans for coverage. Some cover the repairs and some do not.

[tuccillo]

Did you have the perimeter treated with Termidor at 8 years?

My termite guy said that in some of the older sections of the Villages that termites have been found. When our original termite protection expired we went without it for several years and now our house is 8 years old. We picked up the coverage again just by having an inspection done. Fertigator covers our house for termites and we find the price reasonable. Make sure you compare apples to apples when comparing plans for coverage. Some cover the repairs and some do not.

[jnieman]

Did you have the perimeter treated with Termidor at 8 years?

Yes, I should have mentioned that. They did treat.

[tuccillo]

How much did they charge for the retreatment? Thanks.

Yes, I should have mentioned that. They did treat.

[jnieman]

We bought a package deal from them and I assume they treated for the termites once we added the termite policy. It's been a couple of years ago. They do our pest control, our termite coverage, our fertilizer of plants manually on occasion and the fertigator to fertilize our lawn and plants on a regular basis through our sprinkler system. For everything we pay a cost of $55 per month.

[jimbo2012]

over $600 a year ??????????

[jnieman]

over $600 a year ??????????

Jimbo, you seemed shocked by the price. Please share the cost of your own termite, pest, landscape fertilization program. I'd be interested to know what others pay for a package for all of those services.

[jimbo2012]

Less than $75-85 a year.

I prefer that's it's done correctly not by an $8 an hour employee.

So I DIY

[jnieman]

Less than $75-85 a year.

I prefer that's it's done correctly not by an $8 an hour employee.

So I DIY

Ok then. I don't have a person to do that for me consistently and was getting bugs, ants and spiders in my house and my grass was dying and had to be replaced once already. I am willing to pay for no bugs, green grass and no termites. I guess we all choose what we are willing to pay for.

[jlongman]

Thanks all for thoughtful discussion.

[gomoho]

According to this termites can't survive here in the attic

Heat is a nonchemical option for treatments. Excessive heat kills drywood termites by disrupting cellular membranes and denaturing enzymes needed for their survival. The treatment process involves heating all wood in the structure to a minimum of 120°F and holding this temperature for at least 33 minutes. The benefit of heat treatment is the ability to treat the entire structure without the use of chemicals and the relatively short period of time the structure must be vacated (hours instead of days, as with the use of fumigants)

If you've been in the attic here it gets well above 120 degrees here.

So that shouldn't be an issue, just continue to look at the foundation IMO.

The termites in my Jacksonville Florida home were in the 2nd story of the home - not the attic. When they opened the wall it looked like it was moving because of all the activity. If you want to believe tubes are the end all be all to termite activity go for it my friend. I learned this lesson the hard way.

[Barefoot]

I wonder if those advising it's not necessary will also step up to the plate to cover any damage the termites that won't happen will cause. Do what is in your gut. I had termites in my attic space in North Carolina. No sign of tubes on the exterior. Also had them in the 2nd story of my Jacksonville Fla home (was maybe 8 years old). Small price to pay for peace of mind.

Good information.

I would not put termite insurance, pest control, and heartworm for dogs in the same category. You absolutely need to give your dog heartworm pills, the others are optional. If your dog contracts heartworm, he/she is in for a difficult treatment.

Yes, Heartworm is mandatory for dogs. Thanks for emphasizing that, I agree.
The reason I put it in the same category as termite insurance and pest control, is that contractors will tell you disaster awaits you if you don't have termite insurance and if you don't do pest control on a regular basis.
I'm not sure about termites and other pests, but I sure wouldn't skip heartworm.

Ok then. I don't have a person to do that for me consistently and was getting bugs, ants and spiders in my house and my grass was dying and had to be replaced once already. I am willing to pay for no bugs, green grass and no termites. I guess we all choose what we are willing to pay for.

:agree:And many residents are seasonal so we need someone to fight the bugs on our behalf.

[Bonanza]

Less than $75-85 a year.

I prefer that's it's done correctly not by an $8 an hour employee.

So I DIY

I am in agreement with every single one of your posts on this thread (and most of what you say on other threads, too).

Unfortunately, people move here from other areas, distinctly different from from here. They are sold a bill of goods for their lawn, water, house, appliances, car, etc. The list is endless. I wish the general public would realize that these contracts benefit the seller, not the homeowner; that's why they stay in business!

AT a personal level, my husband and I, like you, take care of these things ourselves. Should we have a "real" problem, yes -- we will call a pro. Other than that, I just shake my head in wonderment at probably, 95% of this community, who are sucked in by uneducated neighbors and fast-talking salesmen.

[gomoho]

And I "shake my head in wonderment" when someone assumes they have all the answers and knows what is best for everyone else.

[Bonanza]

And I "shake my head in wonderment" when someone assumes they have all the answers and knows what is best for everyone else.

No, no one has all the answrs but you have to admit when someone new moves here, Villagers are vocal about all the services you MUST have, from pest control to the ultimate in lawn service, to health care, etc.

The truth of the matter is most of these things aren't true. I guess you've never wondered why there are so many of these companies in this area. You would also have to admit it's because this is such a huge senior enviroment and there is no one more vulnerable than people when they get older. That's why these companies are located here and they are raking in the cash in TV. To go a step further, most of the people selling the various services, including their worker bees, don't know their a$$ from their elbow!

[jimbo2012]

Very true :highfive:

[gomoho]

I choose to give The Villagers the benefit of the doubt - that they're so naïve as you say as feel more comfortable to have protection against things out of their control. Also in their retirement years, they choose to pay someone to take care of these things because they have worked hard all these years and now wish to sit back and relax.

Providing information for those that aren't familiar with their new environment is great. My problem is when it is done in a condescending manner.

[Bonanza]

I choose to give The Villagers the benefit of the doubt - that they're so naïve as you say as feel more comfortable to have protection against things out of their control. Also in their retirement years, they choose to pay someone to take care of these things because they have worked hard all these years and now wish to sit back and relax.

Providing information for those that aren't familiar with their new environment is great. My problem is when it is done in a condescending manner.

Please tell me exactly what you find that is condescending?

When we first moved here, just about everyone we talked to, even casually, brought up that we had better get a termite contract. That we better have a pest control contract. That we need to have a lawn service company that offered everything from soup to nuts so that we were completely covered.

What garbage!

My husband was raised in southwest Florida since he was five. I originally moved to south Florida in 1983. Neither of us is "new" to Florida and neither of us -- separately or since we've been married, have ever had any of these contracts and we've never had a problem, with one exception. When it happened, the situation was taken care of by a professional in one visit, not a one year's contract!

We do not have any of these services. If and when we have an issue, we will take care of it. We do not believe in the indiscriminate use of pesticides which is rampant here in TV.

I ask you again . . . what is it that you find to be condescending???