Is a termite policy really needed?

[RedChariot]

Massey estimate for their termite prevention is costly. If you include both types of termites it's higher. Plus additional yearly fee.
Do we really need this? How often do the houses here get attacked by termites? Our home is stucco built with cinder block.
Are there other companies that offer this at a better price?

[Madelaine Amee]

Massey estimate for their termite prevention is costly. If you include both types of termites it's higher. Plus additional yearly fee.
Do we really need this? How often do the houses here get attacked by termites? Our home is stucco built with cinder block.
Are there other companies that offer this at a better price?

I think there are some things you really need if you are going to live in the South and termite protection is one of those things. Shop around to get the price most acceptable to you.

[karostay]

I wouldn't buy a home that doesn't have termite coverage
If you buying a resale and the previous own has termite coverage you should be able to just continue
Most companies will tell you they can't do that.But when you tell them thanks i'll look around they most often change their tune

[retiredguy123]

I would get the subterranean termite contract only, not the other types. The builder only treats the new houses for subterranean termites. The initial termite contract on a new house is renewal annually for about 7 years before it expires. Also, you may want to get a quote from Dean's for a possible better price.

[gatorbill1]

Never seen a termite tented house in TV - been here or coming here since 1999

[karostay]

Never seen a termite tented house in TV - been here or coming here since 1999

I've seen 3 in my years here and one with termites under the sink

[gatorbill1]

I've seen 3 in my years here and one with termites under the sink

what villages???

[kaydee]

Never seen a termite tented house in TV - been here or coming here since 1999

Approximately 3 yrs ago there was a home tented due to termites in Glenbrook.

[Leadbone1]

I bought a house 14 months ago that Had received the Massey termite treatment A year earlier, which is supposed to be good for like seven years. A couple months after I closed Massey came to me and said if I want to continue the termite treatment, that I would owe them I think somewhere close to $150-$200 a year to continue the program. So I asked does that mean you’re going to come out and re-apply some termite protection and so forth? They said no, the additional price you pay every year is just for us to maintain an insurance policy in case something happens with termites? There would be no additional application of chemicals? I told them to forget it. At any rate I guess I still have some years left on the original treatment. I will look into chemical possibilities that I can apply myself as I had some experience with this in Ohio. It’s not rocket science

[mpalazzola]

1. It's harder to sell a house without a history of termite protection.
2. They don't come from the walls in, most come in from under the center of the house. Cabinets with plumbing go first.
3. The treatment is one year of chemistry + 4 years of insurance. They only treat the ground every 5-7 years.

[Annie66]

We use Superior Services of Central Florida (352-867-0885). If you carry their lawn service or interior pest control service, they charge a one time fee ($500) which continues year after year. It has a good termite protection plan. The first year, they inject Termidor around your foundation and repeat the process every 5 years.

[mkjelenbaas]

Call Mid Florida Pest and talk with Ronnie — have used him for years and he is reasonable and honest - call 352-748-4547. Massey is the biggest and the most expensive and I would not use. Thank you.

[mkjelenbaas]

Never seen a termite tented house in TV - been here or coming here since 1999
Stay away from Deans — used them and caught them in a lie where they said they were mowing my grass when I was away for six months and neighbor took pics and I showed them and they “fired” me and did not want my business!!!

[ts12755]

I have been following this for the last 40 years here in Florida. The wood of your house must be at least two inches above the Earth all around your house. So if you have two inches of separation from the Earth to where the termite would have to climb up your foundation to reach wood you're probably good .... its worked for me.

[diva1]

Must have one to sell a house. Period. If you let yours lapse it will be costly to start all over again. We use Florida Pest Control and have since we bought here in 1996; a block house. You are in Florida so yes, you need it.

[Sunflower33]

All pest control companies offer it It is worth in that if you ever get termites it will cost much more to have your house treated. I’ve lived in Florida since 1984 and have always had it. If you get them and you are covered it costs you nothing. A stucco house still has lots of wood I would recommend it

[E Cascade]

I've talked with local farmers around The Villages and none have seen termites. One fellow says they just take old tractor oil and pour it around the base/foundation of their barns and never have had a problem. Another treatment is to go to Home Depot and buy bags of diatomaceous earth ( a white powder of microscopic diatoms) and sprinkle it all around your yard and foundation. The diatoms will cut thru the exoskeleton of any insects and they die from dehydration. It also kills ticks that are carriers for Lyme disease. I bought a stucco, cinder block home and had repeated calls from Massey to renew my 5 year- warranty that was only one year old. The earth under my grass is just sand. The only soil is what came with the sod. I would be very cautious of inviting some company in to treat your home. It seems as crazy as having someone come to wash the exterior of your home. I've had a house restoration business for almost 4 decades and I find folks are always wanting to sell you something you don't need if you don't get yourself educated. If you want to give your money away, find a local charity that directly helps individuals rather than giving to someone who is in the business of "selling".

[paulajr]

We found termites in our pool. Thank goodness we had DEANS protection. They made sure they were eliminated before causing issues...and frequently call and come by and check and treat without us even thinking about it. Without the termite bond who knows what would have happened!

[willbush]

Have lived in Florida for 35 yrs owning several homes (4) including 10yrs in The Villages; never had an issue with Termites;all homes sold must be have a termite inspection before they are sold especially if they are financed

[davem4616]

We had a home in Ft Lauderdale for 20 years...concrete block home, we had termites twice. Once they came in with furniture that we bought (warehouses don't always treat for this) and showed up perhaps 6 years after living in the wooden part of the furniture...second time they came in with new Kitchen cabinets and showed up 4 years after the remodel. Every year houses would be tented...termites are not a problem if you treat them. Sounds like you're from NJ....we're originally from New England....life is different down here. pick up the coverage

[genobambino]

Mostly scare tactics to get you to buy a contract, read the fine print in the contract some of them won't pay for damage they just give your payment back. I do agree you have to have a contract if your selling or a buyer will freekout. I go to Lowes and spray myself around the house, takes care of everything.

[karostay]

what villages???

Approximately 3 yrs ago there was a home tented due to termites in Glenbrook.

Duval,Delavista,Mira Mesa

[gatorbill1]

Approximately 3 yrs ago there was a home tented due to termites in Glenbrook.

Heard that one was tented for bugs - like roach invested etc

[gatorbill1]

Must have one to sell a house. Period. If you let yours lapse it will be costly to start all over again. We use Florida Pest Control and have since we bought here in 1996; a block house. You are in Florida so yes, you need it.

Not true - when you sell a house you must only have a clean termite inspection, normally done with a regular house inspection. Have sold 5 homes since I moved to Florida 40 years ago and never used termite company rip-off. Always sprayed my own home, never had termites or bugs.

[gatorbill1]

We found termites in our pool. Thank goodness we had DEANS protection. They made sure they were eliminated before causing issues...and frequently call and come by and check and treat without us even thinking about it. Without the termite bond who knows what would have happened!

Termites don't live in pools - you were lied to by Deans

[dave2485]

Been here since 1998 first thing I did was to fire Massey never had a termite or coverage, never been asked if I have when selling one house to buy another.
Just another rip, I would not like to meet termites that can eat there way through concrete-filled blocks.

[chasandvalr]

Massey estimate for their termite prevention is costly. If you include both types of termites it's higher. Plus additional yearly fee.
Do we really need this? How often do the houses here get attacked by termites? Our home is stucco built with cinder block.
Are there other companies that offer this at a better price?

Having owned a termite treating company for 30+ years back in Texas, I feel more than qualified to answer your questions.
First off - no, you do NOT need a termite company to come to your house and inspect for termites. Back in Texas, all of the termite companies that were competition to my business inspected houses for FREE. We figured that cost as just part of doing business. AND - if someone was ever told they had termites, all it took was a few more phone calls to those free inspection companies to confirm that active termites were present. Upon confirming live termites, start phoning again to obtain bids for the job. Someone here mentioned tenting a home. That is incorrect!!! ONLY a tent is needed if the infestation of termites (or powder post beetles) has gotten so bad, it is the only option. And normally, it is only the Formosan termite that is needed to be eliminated by using a tent treatment. Getting termites so bad that a tent is needed will take years and you will certainly be aware you have termites - it won't be a surprise. There are too many ways for termite companies to scare people into purchasing services they do not need!! And if a termite treating company ever suggest to you that you need these so called "baits" installed around your home....tell that company to hit the road !!! So my suggestion is to phone 3 companies that will come over and inspect your home for FREE. If one of them says they found termites, have them show you photos and then call two more companies. Do not tell any of the companies you have phoned others - see if any of the others find termites and if it is in the same location. Hope this helps and good luck!.

[chasandvalr]

It might have been termites from a swarm that fell in the pool. I've seen it in my 30 years of treating termites. No, it does not mean any treatments are necessary on any of the surrounding houses.

[chasandvalr]

You are doing the right thing and were smart to fire your termite company. Good-goin!!

[dougjb]

Please note that in South Florida there is a species of termites that chows down on concrete. No kidding...as bizarre as that might sound. But, up here, I have looked and looked and looked and opened my ears wide to hear of anyone who has been hit by any type of termite. I have heard of no one facing this dilemma. With that said, I do not use a termite service. But, I am still listening and looking.

[chasandvalr]

Not true - when you sell a house you must only have a clean termite inspection, normally done with a regular house inspection. Have sold 5 homes since I moved to Florida 40 years ago and never used termite company rip-off. Always sprayed my own home, never had termites or bugs.

This is a correct statement. All is needed is a so called clean WDI inspection report. Not proof of a past treatment. A past treatment should be a red flag to people. Was there actually termites? How bad? Was there any damage? Was that damage repaired? You see. Just a clean WDI is the best news of all.

[Treva c]

We have lived in Florida for 39 years and been in five homes had termites in two of those. In one of the house it was treated but we still got termites they came back each time and paid for all the damages after three times of treating they finally drilled inside the home. This house was a cement block house so yes we have our house with a protection termite

[OhioBuckeye]

Massey estimate for their termite prevention is costly. If you include both types of termites it's higher. Plus additional yearly fee.
Do we really need this? How often do the houses here get attacked by termites? Our home is stucco built with cinder block.
Are there other companies that offer this at a better price?

Good question redchariot ! What would termites destroy in your home. I also think they hang drywall on Aluminum framing. Personally I’ve always sprayed Ortho Bug Destroyer all around my home & even under sinks. Yea, I know some people will say they spray in wall somehow but I have Aluminum framing to. Not say you couldn’t get termites but after over 20 yrs. I haven’t been ate out of my house yet & even after having lived in over 15 new homes & 15 structure inspections I’ve had 1 inspector ever say I had termites or any other kind of bug. So use you gut feeling & do what you think & hope there’s NO cement steel eating termites out there! I’m just telling you what I think & my experiences.

[Danz654]

I use deans. For all pest

[Lsepanske@aol.com]

It happened to us with Dean's Services spraying our bushes. Caught on camera and witnessed by myself.
What a scam.......pull up with the truck take out the hose spray 3-4 bushes and run and billed for 4 minutes work.
Fired them immediately called district manger and general manager and was refunded the cost of service.
Would not recommend this company and questioned how many time have they done this to us.
When asked, they did not have an answer and caught in the act!