[Luv2travel]

I was getting ready to pay my annual bill for termite and pest control services and asked myself do I really need this service. I have never heard of a termite infestation in The Villages and the only bugs they seem to control are fire ants, which should really cost much less than they charge. Plus our house interior is all metal framing, with non-wood siding, but we do have wood framing in the exterior walls. What are the risks of not having this done. I lived in the woods of Virginia for 20 years and only had termite control out when we built the house. Any thoughts and reasons to have this service would be appreciated.

[Golfingnut]

yes

[samhass]

Do not be without this coverage!!!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

What golfingnut said!

Bill

[HMLRHT1]

It's not if it will happen but when it will happen. Learned that the hard way!

[HMLRHT1]

Florida is number 1 in the country for termites.....big risk without coverage.

[mulligan]

Saw a house in Naples-concrete block-with an infestation in the roof trusses.

[billybye]

me Depot or Lowes has do it yourself products that may be better than what the professional use and areas they spray it on.
I used to sell chemicals to companies that sold termite and bug protection - they were always lookng for a watered down product to save money.
Also most termite companies only guarantee is that they will respray if termites are found.
The better the salesman usually the worst protection applied. They will tell you their products are stronger because they are commercial grade. Baloney.

[jimbo2012]

The only time it isn't needed is on a new build for 5years.

[mulligan]

Actually, that's a stretch. Without an annual inspection and treatment, the termite bond is void.

[sjdjmd]

Do not take any chances with this, and hire a good company. We use Dean's, and they are outstanding.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Actually, that's a stretch. Without an annual inspection and treatment, the termite bond is void.

I called Massy and that's from the horses mouth on new builds??????

[mrsanborn]

If you read your warranty closely, it only provides protection against subterranean termites. Not the kind that will swarm, in other words, dry wood termites. The homes I have seen treated by Massey have had BoraCare applied from the slab to approximately four feet up. A color additive is mixed with the BoraCare since the original chemical is clear.
Of the six homes I have watched being built in my hood, not a single homesite has been treated with a ground injectable pesticide.

Think about this. You are paying $138 to $150 per year for $1 million in coverage to a company who doesn't even fake to re-apply a chemical to further protect their own warranty against a threat that is so devastating.

"BORACARE provides prevention and control of Termites, Carpenter Ants, Powderpost Beetles and Decay Fungi. Boracare can be used on all cellulosic materials including wood, plywood, particle board, paper, oriented strand board (OSB), cardboard, and wood composite structural components. Since Boracare is applied directly to the wood, it can be used in areas where environmental contamination is of concern. The active ingredient in Boracare is an inorganic salt and once in place will not decompose or volatilize out of the wood. Treatment is long lasting as long as the treated material is not exposed to rain, continuous water or ground contact"

My answer is to the original poster is no to the termite warranty unless the company is going to retreat the outside perimeter of the home since if the BoraCare was properly applied, nothing is getting in through the walls.

As far as other bug control, use Home Defense for the inside and spray Bifin I/T or the Talstar One (brand name). Both Bifin I/T and Talstar contain 7.9% bifenthrin (sp) and will kill/prevent most everything (including subterranean termites) except the bad boy spiders (Black Widow and Brown Recluse).

Just a heads up, my neighbor has a company do his bug spray at $45 per application. The chemical listed on the bill is, yup, Bifin I/T. Bifin costs approximately $35 for 32 applications (exterior) at max application rate.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Luv2travel

I was getting ready to pay my annual bill for termite and pest control services and asked myself do I really need this service.

Yes, you definitely need this service. Your home is one of the largest investments you will ever make.

[Susan G]

Originally Posted by mrsanborn

Think about this. You are paying $138 to $150 per year for $1 million in coverage to a company who doesn't even fake to re-apply a chemical to further protect their own warranty against a threat that is so devastating.

"BORACARE provides prevention and control of Termites, Carpenter Ants, Powderpost Beetles and Decay Fungi. Boracare can be used on all cellulosic materials including wood, plywood, particle board, paper, oriented strand board (OSB), cardboard, and wood composite structural components. Since Boracare is applied directly to the wood, it can be used in areas where environmental contamination is of concern. The active ingredient in Boracare is an inorganic salt and once in place will not decompose or volatilize out of the wood. Treatment is long lasting as long as the treated material is not exposed to rain, continuous water or ground contact"

My answer is to the original poster is no to the termite warranty unless the company is going to retreat the outside perimeter of the home since if the BoraCare was properly applied, nothing is getting in through the walls.

As far as other bug control, use Home Defense for the inside and spray Bifin I/T or the Talstar One (brand name). Both Bifin I/T and Talstar contain 7.9% bifenthrin (sp) and will kill/prevent most everything (including subterranean termites) except the bad boy spiders (Black Widow and Brown Recluse).

Just a heads up, my neighbor has a company do his bug spray at $45 per application. The chemical listed on the bill is, yup, Bifin I/T. Bifin costs approximately $35 for 32 applications (exterior) at max application rate.

Hello all...Actually I am moving from the 'termite capitol" for both subterranean and Formosan -- Louisiana.

No way I would be with out termite protection, that being said, I EXPECT my property to be trenched around the perimeter and the correct pesticide to be re-applied each year. (That's what we pay for, right?) Just moving in a pre-owned CYV in Tamarind Grove and property is already under contract with Massey I believe. I will be looking for company that uses Termidor or Talstar to re-treat when contract expires. Termidor is the best...don't know if pest control co's use it here. Anyone know if there are Formosan termites here? Those are the big, bad boys that swarm in the spring and do not require ground contact to survive. They have destroyed much property in the New Orleans area and are very resilient even after Hurricane Katrina flooded the area.

My vote is "YES" for a contract, but to the pest control companies, as Coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints says: "DO YOUR JOB"!!