Let's Talk Termites

[Laker14]

OK,,,so I'm a new homeowner trying to get my ducks in a row. Had a couple of exterminators over to hear their termite plan.
I'm looking at the contract and contract includes “Subterranean Termites” and “Formosan Termites”, excludes "Drywood termites", "powederpost beetles" and "old house borers".

I'm embarrassed to admit that I have no idea if excluding those last three organisms puts me at great risk. Why would they exclude them? It seems to me that if it's a CYA clause, it must mean that they present a risk they can't deal with, so why should I pay money for them to kill the easy stuff and I might still get attacked by the hard to kill stuff.

If they aren't abundant, and don't pose a threat, why would they exclude them. Anybody out there researched this? I'd love some input.

Thanks

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, you only need protection for the subterranean and Formosan termites, which is what the builder treats every new house for. The other types are flying termites which could affect your attic wood, but they would be more easily detected before major damage occurred. I recently renewed my contract with Massey for 10 years, and it required retreatment. They pumped chemicals around the perimeter of the house to create a soil poison barrier. The cost was $400 plus a $79 per year renewal and inspection fee. I considered Dean's, but they only offered a year-to-year contract, which I considered unacceptable. Good luck.

[vintageogauge]

You can also do it yourself.

[JohnN]

You can also do it yourself.

And, I do some of my own, plus I use Dean's instead of Massey!!!
Massey "inspects" each year, then does a major "re-treatment" every 7 years or 10 years, whatever contract you get. Dean's treats every year and the price is comparable.
Dean's also has a dog that can smell termites which they use when you first contact them. I felt Massey was a rip-off.

All in all, I'm not aware of anyone who has had termite problems around here,

[retiredguy123]

And, I do some of my own, plus I use Dean's instead of Massey!!!
Massey "inspects" each year, then does a major "re-treatment" every 7 years or 10 years, whatever contract you get. Dean's treats every year and the price is comparable.
Dean's also has a dog that can smell termites which they use when you first contact them. I felt Massey was a rip-off.

All in all, I'm not aware of anyone who has had termite problems around here,
For my house, Dean's annual price was two times the Massey price, and they only do a partial treatment every year, not the whole house. Massey treated the entire house. But, the main reason that I didn't use Dean's was because their price was only for one year with no long term warranty or price guarantee. So, they can raise the price or cancel the warranty every year. Massey provided a written warranty for 10 years. I just went over this in great detail with both companies last month and went with Massey.

[JohnN]

For my house, Dean's annual price was two times the Massey price, and they only do a partial treatment every year, not the whole house. Massey treated the entire house. But, the main reason that I didn't use Dean's was because their price was only for one year with no long term warranty or price guarantee. So, they can raise the price or cancel the warranty every year. Massey provided a written warranty for 10 years. I just went over this in great detail with both companies last month and went with Massey.

Well, to each their own then. I much prefer Dean's for several reasons, but no need to debate it.

[Velvet]

In my observation there is only a very small probability of termites in TV, but because the developer so carefully prepares the soil including drenching it for termites, personally I like the warranty Dean’s gives. To me it’s a bit like car insurance, I hope never to have to use it but I pay for it every year.

[vintageogauge]

Deans quotes everyone a different price and a different process when needed, if you average everyone at $100.00 per year times 140,000 homes that is $14,000,000 split mostly between deans and Massey, pretty good racket when you figure no one on here has ever stated that they had subterranean termites with a treatment program or without a treatment program. I do my permitter twice a year at a cost of $24.00 for two applications.

[davem4616]

it's insurance

Do I think it's worth the money? At least Jesse James had a horse and a gun and told you to put your hands up

but it gives the wife piece of mind

and having had the annual service from the get go just might make a difference to some buyer when you eventually go to sell

[Topspinmo]

I’ve had it all done including the attic sprayed in my cinder block CYV. I never seen seen them change bait canister in 6 years. I determined they was ripping me off. I can replace all bait canisters for around 100 bucks

[Garywt]

Deans did my house when being built so I went with them. Original policy was cheap and is also an insurance policy as they pay for any damage. I then had Deans do regular bug spraying around the house and cleaning the eves as I am not there much. Finally I added lawn and bush treatments for bugs and lawn maintenance. The price for everything is $122 every other month.

[tsmall22204]

Massey to me about protection and wanted to charge me a large amount for the protection. I do not deal with anyone that lies to get business.

[banjobob]

I think the termite threat is over blown, I have talked to many friends and neighbors and no one knows of any termite issues and most do not have the termite treatments.

[Nick B]

Very little problem here with termites. Mostly by the port cities.

[Guitarman1951]

I was paying Massey for "termite" protection for years. I would watch the guy come, walk around the outside of the house get in his car and leave. I would think that the wood inside such as the attic and garage would have to be looked at to have a reasonable assessment. I dropped Massey. I saw no reason to pay for someone doing a half assed job.

[DAVES]

I do wonder. I've never seen any of the people applying insecticides around here wearing proper protection. They spray this stuff all day long.
Chlordane was the stuff that they used to use but, it has been taken off the market by ??? epa???? It was supposed to be permanent, whatever that means. Our previous home, not in Florida, was treated with Chlordane before we bought it.
I was growing organic vegetables in my backyard. Surely that is the reason I keep getting older every year.

[jacRI]

Agreed. Massey termite inspection is a joke. As far as the inspection of the ground stations, those were examined if they could find them. Missed some if mine when he came out. Lowes and HD sell do it yourself kits for ground stations.

[JoelJohnson]

We're going to have a patio poured, the contractor said the site had to have a termite professional treat the area.

[Rosebud2020]

OK,,,so I'm a new homeowner trying to get my ducks in a row. Had a couple of exterminators over to hear their termite plan.
I'm looking at the contract and contract includes “Subterranean Termites” and “Formosan Termites”, excludes "Drywood termites", "powederpost beetles" and "old house borers".

I'm embarrassed to admit that I have no idea if excluding those last three organisms puts me at great risk. Why would they exclude them? It seems to me that if it's a CYA clause, it must mean that they present a risk they can't deal with, so why should I pay money for them to kill the easy stuff and I might still get attacked by the hard to kill stuff.

If they aren't abundant, and don't pose a threat, why would they exclude them. Anybody out there researched this? I'd love some input.

Thanks

When a new homeowner moves into The Villages, neighbors, friends, and particularly pest control companies put the fear of God into them. They all tell you that you MUST have protection from all these "critters," when in fact, you need to do nothing unless you have a problem. You will not have to worry about any type of termite for (probably) more years than you will be alive. Yes -- I am not kidding!

Do this . . . move in and wait to see how many bugs you actually find in your house. I will guarantee that you won't find enough (maybe a couple???) to warrant any kind of service. Buy a can of Raid and keep in handy in the event that you do see a (one?) bug!

Instead of poisoning the environment play the wait and see game. I am sure you will not have a problem. In the event you do have a problem, treat the problem when it happens and not on an ongoing basis, paying some company for their "service." Think of the money you will save and Mother Earth will smile down on you! :D

[jjombrello]

I've had Massey for over 22 years and at inspection time, I get a thorough interior and attic inspection as well as an outside inspection and retreatment. I get a quarterly cleaning and treatment service and when I notice insects inside, at any time, a call to Massey is answered almost immediately and a service person shows up and treats the problem. Couldn't be more pleased.

[EviesGP]

Deans quotes everyone a different price and a different process when needed, if you average everyone at $100.00 per year times 140,000 homes that is $14,000,000 split mostly between deans and Massey, pretty good racket when you figure no one on here has ever stated that they had subterranean termites with a treatment program or without a treatment program. I do my permitter twice a year at a cost of $24.00 for two applications.

What type of treatment do you do on your perimeter?

NOTE: I just did my entire perimeter(dug around foundation myself) 6"x6" and applied Taurus SC(Amazon). I paid under $100, when Massey's wanted $400(plus annual fees).

[AzAuSenior]

Central Florida is "Downtown Central for Termites". Orlando and Tampa Bay are in the top 20 USA cities with termites. There are 3 types of termites: subterranean, dry wood, and wet wood. Termite treatment is by (1) chemicals or (2) traps. The basic Massey treatment only covers subterranean termites. Terminix does traps for subterranean and spray for dry wood termites (Terminix sales claims the risk from wet wood in The Village area is extremely small and is not covered). Orkin will protect for all 3 type of termites by ground treatment (the ground treatment may require drilling through the concrete surrounding a house -- a consideration if the concrete is painted with design) and spray. Be advised that attic spray procedure requires that items stored in the attic which are used by humans (holiday decorations, clothing, …) must be removed prior to application of attic spray. Attic items may be returned after a time period on the order of a day (check with the treatment company for exact time period). Terminix and Orkin both include monetary guarantees with their protection plans -- one is for unlimited cost and the other a large finite amount for termite damage. Both Terminix and Orkin require initial treatment cost followed by periodic payment annually or bi-annually. Dean's is another popular local treatment supplier in the area. We selected Terminix.

[Curtisbwp]

Not sure, but consider that the interior od the jouse is NOT wood, it is all metal studs. Base boards and moulding are wood. In maine i had a cape style house with a knee board and a full dormer. To my surprise termites invaded the knee boards. The devastation was unbelievable.

[jleonard]

Where do you purchase your chemical to do the treatment?

[mulligan]

In my observation there is only a very small probability of termites in TV, but because the developer so carefully prepares the soil including drenching it for termites, personally I like the warranty Dean’s gives. To me it’s a bit like car insurance, I hope never to have to use it but I pay for it every year.

The builder no longer does soil poisoning. As a matter of fact, they stopped doing it before my home was built in 2011. Instead, they treat the framing to a height of about 36 inches above the slab, and that treatment is good for at least 5 years.

[Kenswing]

Not sure, but consider that the interior od the jouse is NOT wood, it is all metal studs. Base boards and moulding are wood. In maine i had a cape style house with a knee board and a full dormer. To my surprise termites invaded the knee boards. The devastation was unbelievable.
That is not true at all. We're having a house built right now and although there are some metal studs in it, the vast majority of it is wood.

[mulligan]

What type of treatment do you do on your perimeter?

NOTE: I just did my entire perimeter(dug around foundation myself) 6"x6" and applied Taurus SC(Amazon). I paid under $100, when Massey's wanted $400(plus annual fees).

The problem with a DIY, is you don't get the damage repair bond . Also for resale, I would not consider a home that did not have a current inspection and an active repair bond.

[DonnaNi4os]

I think the termite threat is over blown, I have talked to many friends and neighbors and no one knows of any termite issues and most do not have the termite treatments.

I live in a concrete house with steel rod supports. Talk to some of my neighbors who have decided that they didn’t need termite protection. I guarantee that you will change your mind.

[vintageogauge]

What type of treatment do you do on your perimeter?

NOTE: I just did my entire perimeter(dug around foundation myself) 6"x6" and applied Taurus SC(Amazon). I paid under $100, when Massey's wanted $400(plus annual fees).

I used to use Termidor now I use Bayer. $49.00 gives me enough for 4 applications, I do two a year.

[vintageogauge]

I live in a concrete house with steel rod supports. Talk to some of my neighbors who have decided that they didn’t need termite protection. I guarantee that you will change your mind.

If your neighbors live in TV anywhere south of 466 I would like to talk to them, I have asked on here multiple times if anyone has a proven case of subterranean termites south of 466 and not one person can come up with a case. I don't mean rumors, I mean actual subterranean termite cases.

[Barborv]

I decided to put the bait (canisters) system around the house. I use Massey and you can negotiate a price. With the liquid treatment, it needs to be done every 10 years. With the canisters, its one and done. With both ways, you still need the termite yearly insurance plan. Also the cost of the canisters was only about $100 bucks more. Plus I'm not a big fan of treated the soil with pesticides. I have 3 dogs. Figured it would be safer for them and saves money in the long run.

[vintageogauge]

Where do you purchase your chemical to do the treatment?

Starr's or Amazon

[vintageogauge]

The problem with a DIY, is you don't get the damage repair bond . Also for resale, I would not consider a home that did not have a current inspection and an active repair bond.

Buyers are allowed to have a termite inspection, if there are signs of termites I'm sure they will walk repair bond or not. If there are no signs of termites very few will walk because there is no warranty on the home, they can easily get it after they close. The will all take on new customers because it is so profitable for them.

[Shadow8IA]

We have friends that had to replace an entire wall in their house from termites.


In my observation there is only a very small probability of termites in TV, but because the developer so carefully prepares the soil including drenching it for termites, personally I like the warranty Dean’s gives. To me it’s a bit like car insurance, I hope never to have to use it but I pay for it every year.

[vintageogauge]

We have friends that had to replace an entire wall in their house from termites.

What village did your friends live in, what type of termites where they and when did it happen?

[tvbound]

Has anyone ever noticed any houses between 466 and 466A, getting the 'whole house tent' treatment for termites? If so, do you recall which village(s)?

[retiredguy123]

Has anyone ever noticed any houses between 466 and 466A, getting the 'whole house tent' treatment for termites? If so, do you recall which village(s)?
The whole house tent treatment would not be for subterranean termites, which is the most common type, and the only kind that the builder routinely treats for in new houses.

[hamsfc59]

My Massey guy does go into the attic. But, having lived in South Florida for 28 years, it was not uncommon to occasionally see a tented house. I've never seen a tented house in TV, leading me to believe termites are not a problem here. But, like many of us, as we age, we are willing to spend for peace of mind even if it's not the best investment.

[Pairadocs]

Agreed. Massey termite inspection is a joke. As far as the inspection of the ground stations, those were examined if they could find them. Missed some if mine when he came out. Lowes and HD sell do it yourself kits for ground stations.

We've used them for years, just got new set for perimeter last week. Honestly, have always wondered if it is even worth it, but about $49 for an entire kit, so, we just do it ! Who knows ! ?