Termite Risk overrated?

[villagerjack]

Is the risk of Termites in The Villages overrated?

Termite Distribution - Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/termites-in-florida/termite-distribution/)

[retiredguy123]

The risk is low, but the termite treatment/insurance is a lot less expensive than homeowner's insurance, where the risk is also low.

[BrianL99]

Is the risk of Termites in The Villages overrated?

Termite Distribution - Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/termites-in-florida/termite-distribution/)


Yes.

Like every other subject in Florida, older folks are a great target for making money.

[Happydaz]

The incidence of termite infestation may be low because most people get termite treatments. I noticed there was one case in The Villages on the map. There aren’t that many points elsewhere in Florida so it could be a case of under reporting as well. The insurance is nice to have when you go to sell your home.

[golfing eagles]

Is the risk of Termites in The Villages overrated?

Termite Distribution - Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/termites-in-florida/termite-distribution/)

ALL insurance/ preventative maintenance is overrated------UNTIL it isn't

[LuvNH]

Our nice quiet street had a tented house about a year ago, made us all sit up and take notice. They only got the termites under the tent, what happened to the ones that got away?

[villagerjack]

Our nice quiet street had a tented house about a year ago, made us all sit up and take notice. They only got the termites under the tent, what happened to the ones that got away?

Address? We can call them and ask

[Two Bills]

Our nice quiet street had a tented house about a year ago, made us all sit up and take notice. They only got the termites under the tent, what happened to the ones that got away?

"They'll be Back!"

99025

[villagerjack]

ALL insurance/ preventative maintenance is overrated------UNTIL it isn't

Auto and home insurance are required by law if you have a mortgage. Life insurance is required by your wife.

[retiredguy123]

Our nice quiet street had a tented house about a year ago, made us all sit up and take notice. They only got the termites under the tent, what happened to the ones that got away?
The most common type of termites protected by treatment and a contract are called subterranean termites. Subterranean termites are not treated with a tent. So, most likely, the house you saw was being treated for wood borers or something else.

[villagerjack]

If it was treated at all. Massey has his trolls.

[Babubhat]

The premium versus cost of incident is too high to ignore

[VApeople]

I was raised in Fort Myers FL.

In eighth grade in 1958, our shop teacher said that termites were a real problem in Florida and that was why much of the new construction was concrete block stucco (CBS).

That was the kind of house we lived in at that time and that is the kind of house we live in now.

In Virginia, we and most of our neighbors had serious termite problems. In Osceola Hills where we live, there were no trees before The Villages started building houses, so there was nothing for the termites to eat, and we have not heard of any termite problems.

We paid Massey to treat around our house to hopefully prevent a termite infestation and we pay them to do a yearly check as well.

[retiredguy123]

I was raised in Fort Myers FL.

In eighth grade in 1958, our shop teacher said that termites were a real problem in Florida and that was why much of the new construction was concrete block stucco (CBS).

That was the kind of house we lived in at that time and that is the kind of house we live in now.

In Virginia, we and most of our neighbors had serious termite problems. In Osceola Hills where we live, there were no trees before The Villages started building houses, so there was nothing for the termites to eat, and we have not heard of any termite problems.

We paid Massey to treat around our house to hopefully prevent a termite infestation and we pay them to do a yearly check as well.
Your teacher did not tell you the truth. A concrete block house doesn't do anything to prevent termites from damaging a house. Most termite damage is not structural. They eat door frames, window frames, baseboards, drywall, carpeting, and other parts of the house. They rarely eat structural elements in the house. Also, concrete block will not deter termites from entering the house.

[dewilson58]

The risk is low, but the termite treatment/insurance is a lot less expensive than homeowner's insurance, where the risk is also low.

:BigApplause:

[bimmertl]

The risk is low, but the termite treatment/insurance is a lot less expensive than homeowner's insurance, where the risk is also low.

HO insurance covers direct losses. Termite damage is a loss over time and not a direct loss. In addition, standard HO policies exclude coverage for any damage caused by insects.

[VApeople]

In eighth grade in 1958, our shop teacher said that termites were a real problem in Florida and that was why much of the new construction was concrete block stucco (CBS).

Your teacher did not tell you the truth.

Exactly what did my eighth grade teacher say that was untrue?

That termites are a problem in Florida?

That much of the new construction was CBS?

Please be specific!

[BrianL99]

...

[retiredguy123]

Exactly what did my eighth grade teacher say that was untrue?

That termites are a problem in Florida?

That much of the new construction was CBS?

Please be specific!
I concluded that the teacher was saying that houses were being constructed with concrete block to prevent termites from invading and damaging the house. If so, that is not true. Concrete block construction and wood stud construction have equal risk for termite invasion and damage. Using concrete block construction does not reduce your risk for termite damage.

[bowlingal]

termites eat dead wood. NOT palm trees growing ( unless they are dead ) or other growing trees. Mulch around your house could be a problem ( they love mulch), this from an exterminator that checked my house for termites just yesterday. And yes, termites are a problem here in Florida.

[Happydaz]

termites eat dead wood. NOT palm trees growing ( unless they are dead ) or other growing trees. Mulch around your house could be a problem ( they love mulch), this from an exterminator that checked my house for termites just yesterday. And yes, termites are a problem here in Florida.

Moisture is what they like. Rock mulch provides the same moist ground for termites to tunnel through.

[Normal]

Moisture is what they like. Rock mulch provides the same moist ground for termites to tunnel through.

There are termites which eat rock? Who knew? We are all goners! Lol

[Two Bills]

Be thankful you live in Florida.

Termites infest and damage approximately one out of every five houses in Australia, or anywhere between 130,000 and 180,00 Australian homes each year.

[retiredguy123]

HO insurance covers direct losses. Termite damage is a loss over time and not a direct loss. In addition, standard HO policies exclude coverage for any damage caused by insects.
I agree that homeowners insurance doesn't cover termite damage. I was just comparing two different insurance policies in terms of their overall cost versus benefit calculation.

[Wing-nut2]

In 2000, I had problem in my house. The cost to repair was over $75,000. I had insurance so the company paid for everything. These houses may be cinder block, but if you look around your walls and attic, you'll find a lot of wood. Small price to pay.

[villagerjack]

Your teacher did not tell you the truth. A concrete block house doesn't do anything to prevent termites from damaging a house. Most termite damage is not structural. They eat door frames, window frames, baseboards, drywall, carpeting, and other parts of the house. They rarely eat structural elements in the house. Also, concrete block will not deter termites from entering the house.
Y

The termites have to be there to do the damage you are suggesting but if you look at the Map the incidence of termites in The Villages is ZERO.

Been here 15 years and never heard or saw of a single case. Yet Nassey and others continue to increase the cost of their service and “insurance”

[dewilson58]

Been here 15 years and never heard or saw of a single case. Yet Nassey and others continue to increase the cost of their service and “insurance”

:shrug:

Been 40 years and my house never burnt down.

Been 40 years and I never totaled a car.

:shrug:

[villagerjack]

In 2000, I had problem in my house. The cost to repair was over $75,000. I had insurance so the company paid for everything. These houses may be cinder block, but if you look around your walls and attic, you'll find a lot of wood. Small price to pay.

You had a concrete block home in The Villages with metal studs and you had $75,000 in damages from termites before you noticed it? Where is this home located?

You could replace your entire roof with new studs 3x for $75,000.

[villagerjack]

:shrug:

Been 40 years and my house never burnt down.

Been 40 years and I never totaled a car.

:shrug:.

BUT the incidences of occurrences of home fires and car accidents is a lot more prevalent than incidents of Termites destroying homes.

Do you recall the tornados tearing through The Villages about 15 years ago ? The damage to your home and car do not have to be as extensive as a totaled car or a hone burned down fir you to have insurance.

Have you ever asked Massey or others about showing g you evidence of the incidence of Termites in The Villages? I have and got no answers.

[villagerjack]

The premium versus cost of incident is too high to ignore

How many incidents ?

[airdote22]

Termites need water, ponds nearby , water leaks or over watering your lawn increases your chance of getting them.

[dewilson58]

.

BUT the incidences of occurrences of home fires and car accidents is a lot more prevalent than incidents of Termites destroying homes. .

& that's why that insurance costs more.

:ohdear:

[villagerjack]

Termites need water, ponds nearby , water leaks or over watering your lawn increases your chance of getting them.

Where did you get that information? Can you identify the places in The Villages where Termites are living. How many incidents of termites infesting homes in The Villages?

[chuckandbernice]

Termidor is the product of choice but look it the web site as to how it should be done. They nothing about injecting it into the soil. How can you be assured that the correct amount and spacing is done as best to protect you. Are you getting what you paid for? I disagree with the bait stations. Why would I want to attract them and have some bypass the stations.

[NoMoSno]

Is the risk of Termites in The Villages overrated?

Termite Distribution - Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/termites-in-florida/termite-distribution/)
It's stated on that site it is incomplete.
In fact very incomplete.
I know of multiple homes that had Subterranean termites that are not listed on that map.

[BlueStarAirlines]

Auto and home insurance are required by law if you have a mortgage.

So if one has a mortgage they are required to also have auto insurance...even if they have no auto? Hopefully that was just a poorly constructed sentence, because there is no law that requires auto insurance if one has a mortgage.......

[Babubhat]

When you try to sell the subject will come up.

[Normal]

One West Indian dry wood type termite problem in the entire Villages. Ya, there isn’t much of an urgency here.

[Michael G.]

About 3 years ago, my neighbor took me to a house that was for sale in Spruce Creek.
"Some Termite Damage" the ad said and the company selling was taking bids selling as is.

When we got there all the dry wall was pulled off the interior for the ceiling down
to expose how bad the termite damage was.

Some 2x4's in the framing were eaten in half and dangling in midair from termites. :shocked:

Do I get termite treatment at our house?
You can bet on it.

[villagerjack]

:shrug:

Been 40 years and my house never burnt down.

Been 40 years and I never totaled a car.

:shrug:

My home was hit by lightening and went on fire. Almost blew up completely as gas lines were penetrated. Luckily we were not at home.

Hundreds of homes and cars were severely damaged by the tornado which tore through The Villages about 15 years ago.

My cousin was thrown from his bed into the wall and his brand new car was totalled by the tornado.house was nearly demolished.

[villagerjack]

It's stated on that site it is incomplete.
In fact very incomplete.
I know of multiple homes that had Subterranean termites that are not listed on that map.

What are the addresses? Any way to verify that info?

There are over 60,000 homes in The Villages and you know of a few and that makes the map VERY Incomlete? I don’t think so .

[MrChip72]

Almost every risk that is brought up in TV is overblown.

[banjobob]

As with any problem ,if you fear you will be affected buy insurance. Personally I don’t feel termites are a serious issue.

[sallyg]

Yes. A great way for pest control companies to make money. "Termite control" is very expensive.

[Glowfromminnesota]

I had a brick house in South Carolina and had termites. I was washing the wood floors and the mop went through the wood. Watering the flower box on the exterior was the cause. By watering the flowers, moisture got into the house. Termites love moisture and dark spaces. Often construction workers will toss wood scraps in new construction on cement steps. My friend had termites due to this.

[VApeople]

Termites need water, ponds nearby , water leaks or over watering your lawn increases your chance of getting them.

Where did you get that information? Can you identify the places in The Villages where Termites are living. How many incidents of termites infesting homes in The Villages?

We recently had Massey check our house for termites. We live in Osceola Hills just north of Route 44.

The Massey person said the termite problem is much worse in the newer areas south of 44 because those villages have more water around them.

[ldj1938]

We used to live in Lighthouse Point, FL and one day hundreds of termites came up through our concrete garage floor followed by geckos for a picnic. They had eaten the frame of the outside door to the garage and two legs of a saw horse that were touching the ground. They left the paint! Followed by the bug guy drilling holes in the floor and pumping gallons of bug killer.

[villagerjack]

I had a brick house in South Carolina and had termites. I was washing the wood floors and the mop went through the wood. Watering the flower box on the exterior was the cause. By watering the flowers, moisture got into the house. Termites love moisture and dark spaces. Often construction workers will toss wood scraps in new construction on cement steps. My friend had termites due to this.

Yes Termites do exist but there is no evidence of termites in The Villages.

If you are more comfortable buying Termute Insurance then you are free to do so.

I had the insurance since I purchased in 2007 and renewed it for $85 a year and this year Massey said if I wanted to renew it would cost a significant amount to respray.

I did a little investigating and decided it was not worth this cost because there is hard evidence from a respected source that there are no termites in The Villages.

I do not make decisions on the basis of some individuals who claim otherwise but is unwilling to provide the evidence.

[villagerjack]

We used to live in Lighthouse Point, FL and one day hundreds of termites came up through our concrete garage floor followed by geckos for a picnic. They had eaten the frame of the outside door to the garage and two legs of a saw horse that were touching the ground. They left the paint! Followed by the bug guy drilling holes in the floor and pumping gallons of bug killer.

The same Map on the original post which shows no evidence of Termites in The Villages shows that Termites are very prevalent in Lighthouse Point.

I am surprised that the termite damage was not noticed until your garage door disappeared and they ate your sawhorse. It would take years for termites to do that amount of damage.

Also if you hired a pest control company that poured gallons of poisonous insect killer into your home you probably hired the wrong firm. In some States spraying for termites is prohibited beyond the original treatment.

[villagerjack]

We recently had Massey check our house for termites. We live in Osceola Hills just north of Route 44.

The Massey person said the termite problem is much worse in the newer areas south of 44 because those villages have more water around them.u

Did he show you any evidence or did you take his word? After all he does sell the product he wants others to buy.

People in the older areas are getting more educated about Termite risk and are making decisions based on trusted independent information.

It’s your money and you can go either way.

[jimkerr]

Is the risk of Termites in The Villages overrated?

Termite Distribution - Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/termites-in-florida/termite-distribution/)

No! Anyone telling you that you don’t need it is full of it. Termites are a problem in the south. We had a neighbor a few streets down that had to tent their house for termites.

[ChrisTee]

Yes Termites do exist but there is no evidence of termites in The Villages.

If you are more comfortable buying Termute Insurance then you are free to do so.

I had the insurance since I purchased in 2007 and renewed it for $85 a year and this year Massey said if I wanted to renew it would cost a significant amount to respray.

I did a little investigating and decided it was not worth this cost because there is hard evidence from a respected source that there are no termites in The Villages.

I do not make decisions on the basis of some individuals who claim otherwise but is unwilling to provide the evidence.

Spot on!!
If others want to pay big bucks for someone to spray termidor or some other bug spray around their home they're free to do so. I choose to spray my home myself for under $15/year. Termite Bond? I suggest to carefully read the contract before buying a bond, and if needed have an attorney read it for you .... you may be surprised to find that it isn't the coverage you thought you were buying. When I ran the numbers there was almost NO way that I'd come out ahead with a service + bond, so I self insure. Close friend who's an entomologist / professor told me he'd never buy a termite bond. I'm comfortable pocketing thousands of $$ and self insuring. You may not be - then pay for a bond - but it may not be coverage you thought.

[villagerjack]

No! Anyone telling you that you don’t need it is full of it. Termites are a problem in the south. We had a neighbor a few streets down that had to tent their house for termites.

Please provide real evidence