A couple questions about living in TV

[Go-Bucks!]

1) I keep reading that many people have "pest control" services. I know about the termite service, so what pests is this service trying to prevent/treat? If I wouldn't choose to get this service, what bugs can I expect to get overrun with?? How much does the service cost?

2) I've read that "TV is a community with gates, but is not a gated community." I'm not sure what this means - I was recently in TV and visited many open houses. When I got to the entrance of a village, I had to either tell the attendant why I needed to enter and then they put the gate up or if there was no attendant, then I needed to wave our gate card in front of the scanner to get the gate to go up. Doesn't this mean it's a "gated" community?? And how do the solicitors get by the gate guard or scanner?

Thanks for you help in understanding these things! :wave:

[cquick]

1. some pests I don't want in my house.....cockroaches, spiders, millipedes, beetles. I use Massey services for my pest control and termite bond. There are many companies that do this. Massey comes 4 times per year, sweeps my eaves, checks for mud dauber wasps (and removes the nests), and puts down a barrier fluid outside my house.


2. The gates seem to be for "traffic control". You can always get into a gate even when there is no attendant....just push the little red button! they open right up! :wave:

[graciegirl]

1) I keep reading that many people have "pest control" services. I know about the termite service, so what pests is this service trying to prevent/treat? If I wouldn't choose to get this service, what bugs can I expect to get overrun with?? How much does the service cost?

2) I've read that "TV is a community with gates, but is not a gated community." I'm not sure what this means - I was recently in TV and visited many open houses. When I got to the entrance of a village, I had to either tell the attendant why I needed to enter and then they put the gate up or if there was no attendant, then I needed to wave our gate card in front of the scanner to get the gate to go up. Doesn't this mean it's a "gated" community?? And how do the solicitors get by the gate guard or scanner?

Thanks for you help in understanding these things! :wave:

I love talking to Ohio folks.

Remember when your mom told you that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" ? That is true of bugs in the hot wet areas of Florida. In the yards we have fire ants. If they get on you they call for their friends and then the leader says "BITE" and boy when they do...it is NOT fun for a week or so. We have "pith anth" too just like in Ohio and we have Palmetto bugs that look like giant roaches and just like anyplace else we have the possibility to get the plain old trashy roaches.. So most of us Use Masseys or Deans to come and spray the outside of our homes to prevent them or the inside if we see them there.

We are a community with gates. Anyone can get im by driving up and pushing the button. But the golf carts cross at the gates so that pauses the traffic enough to make them safe. AND we are getting camera's at the gates so that will help with seeing what any nasties look like. The roads belong to the county so maintaining them is part of taxes rather than amenity fees. We are REALLY gated when it comes to keeping most foreign golf carts OUT. But cars and cylists can travel anywhere in TV...and walkers too.

[Go-Bucks!]

Thanks for the info about pest control. I have some of those pests here, but never had to spray for them - maybe cold, miserable winters do that for me. :o How much do you pay for the pest control service??

About the gates - did I really not have to pull up to the Visitor lane and talk to the attendant?? Could I just have gone thru the Resident lane and gone right in?? If so, I feel so silly now! :p

[Lovey2]

I've been here 2 years and have never had a "pest" in my home yet. Maybe a spider or 2, but I understand you can't spray for them anyway. (?) I spray lightly with Home Defense, or something like that around the perimeter of the house, and also inside doorways and kitchens and bathrooms about every other month. No bugs!! In fact, I lived in SW FL for 23 years, and I am completely amazed by the fact that I have only seen 2 roaches anywhere since I've been here...both dead! Now, a friend that lives in the Northern section tells me they (the pests) are coming but I haven't been bothered by any pest yet. They say they come up their drain pipes....????? I'll worry about that when I see it, but for now...an errant ant or 2 in the garage and that's it.

[JoMar]

Thanks for the info about pest control. I have some of those pests here, but never had to spray for them - maybe cold, miserable winters do that for me. :o How much do you pay for the pest control service??

About the gates - did I really not have to pull up to the Visitor lane and talk to the attendant?? Could I just have gone thru the Resident lane and gone right in?? If so, I feel so silly now! :p

If you have a gate card you can use the resident lane. If you have a gate card and it's raining use the visitor lane. The gate attendants provide a service to visitors by answering questions, giving directions and providing eyes on those coming without resident cards. They aren't security but are representative of the friendly spirit of TV......with rare exception they smile, say hello and probably are grateful for the "hello" we give them when going through. Don't ever feel silly about anything you do here, we have all done it and frankly, nobody cares :$:

[2BNTV]

You can always go to the visitor side and push the red button to gain access. Therefore, we are not a true gated community. You do not have to talk to the attendant.

Call Massey for their rates at 352.259.0500. Your rate may vary from others as it all depends on, if you want to do some yardwork yourself. Best to check with them to get an accurate quote as I don't have the figures at my disposal. As usual, they will try to sell you every plan they have, for all type of services.

They came around and try to sell me a sprinkler repair package but I call Jim Baumgartner as he was cheaper and more knowledgeable. All in all, they do a decent job and are quick to respond for any bugs that might find their way into one's house.

[queasy27]

Not to make your life difficult, but "pest control (http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/problems/insects.shtml)" can also be extended to mean lawn maintenance/insects. I think most pest control companies also do lawns, as do some lawn care companies.

[Lovey2]

Not to make your life difficult, but "pest control (http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/problems/insects.shtml)" can also be extended to mean lawn maintenance/insects. I think most pest control companies also do lawns, as do some lawn care companies.


Yes...that's true. I wasn't thinking of that. My husband does the pest for the lawn and fertilizing also. It's relatively simple, but you have to be able to and want to do it.

[jnieman]

Thanks for the info about pest control. I have some of those pests here, but never had to spray for them - maybe cold, miserable winters do that for me. :o How much do you pay for the pest control service??

About the gates - did I really not have to pull up to the Visitor lane and talk to the attendant?? Could I just have gone thru the Resident lane and gone right in?? If so, I feel so silly now! :p

I'm from Ohio too and we have more bugs here in Fla. In Ohio it was mostly spiders. Here like Gracie said it's a variety. For us it is ants and lots of them. We use Fertigator for our pest, termite, shrub and lawn fertilization. We haven't seen a bug or spider in our house in over a year. When we first bought before we got pest control we had lots of ants.

[Go-Bucks!]

When we first bought before we got pest control we had lots of ants.

Ever try sitting out some Terro liquid ant killer? We put a little of the liquid in an upside down bottle cap and place it where we see the ants. They take it back home and share it with their friends and family. Don't see them again after a few days.

[queasy27]

Oh, I swear by liquid Terro for sugar/household ants -- nothing else I've tried over the years has worked as well.

[rjm1cc]

Bugs are not a problem. But I still spray inside and out. This is a do it your self project. Termites are a problem from a repair stand point so I use a company. They do not treat the house each year but the spray I use kills termites.
The roads in the villages are public thus anyone can drive on them.
Communities that own their roads can have gates and prevent the public from entering.

[Carla B]

The shrubs can be attacked by spider mites and chili thrips, etc.; the grass can have fungus and chinch bugs, etc., the house can be invaded by earwigs and roaches and ants, and so on and on. That is what pest control companies are for.

[Go-Bucks!]

I've read about a "termite bond." What is this?

[mulligan]

I've read about a "termite bond." What is this?

that's the insurance policy that covers damage to your home if termites happen to take up residence. Normally, the bond will cover you for 5 years after the initial treatment, and an annual inspection. Annual is $100 to $150, and 5 year re-treatment is $450 to $800 depending on the size of your home. The initial treatment during construction is good for 5 years if you have the annual inspections. These treatments cover subterranean termites. Talk to your pest control people about coverage for other types.

[Villages Kahuna]

I've used Massey for everything for nine years. They do a good job and come out prompltly if you have a question or need additional treatment. The only "extra" terwatment we've ever needed was when we found tiny little ants--sugar ants--in our sugar bowl. The Massey giu came out the same day, put something down along the baseboard in the pantry and said to call back personally if that didn't work--although he was sure it would. It worked like a charm.

Good company, not too expensive, and they do a great job.