Termites
 

Had 5 yr plan from Massey paid by developer. Paid one year renewals for last 3 years. Today my "Inspector " stopped by and did inspection. Then he informed me hat I had three options, for renewals at increased terms and prices. Did not understand the very small print and declined for the time being. He left the contracts for me to review. will call back in a few days. Our home is a CYV constructed mainly of poured concrete outer walls. We have KB apply pesticides on regular schedule to lawn and shrubs. There never (in 8 years) has been any evidence of termite infestation in the yard or house. Like to hear experience and opinions about entering into 3 year contract for nearly $400. Never had such a plan in 8 homes up north over last 50 yrs.

I would keep the termite contract, but only pay the minimum annual amount to maintain the subterranian termite contract. Massey will try to sell you additional treatments for other types of termites, but I don't think they are worth the cost. Also, you may get a better deal from Dean's. You will probably never see any termites because they cannot be exposed to daylight. But, having a contract in place is a good thing when you want to sell your house. Having a concrete house does not really protect your house from termite damage. Termites can eat your drywall, trim, carpet, and other parts of your house.

We all go through this dilemma. I personally believe that this land has been diluted with enough termite juice to kill all termites in the world. That is if you believe the description of how they prepare the land before building. So with all the discussion, when I came to my decision, I asked this forum if anyone had problems with termites or know of any person who have had problems with termites IN THE VILLAGES. At that time, several years ago, I received no affirmatives.

So what did I do? I paid for the bait system for the reason given in prior post, an insurance policy and an aid to sell if that time comes.


I wonder if Massey has ever paid a claim for damage by termites IN THE VILLAGES!

My Massey contract does not cover termite damage. It only covers retreatment in the event that termites are found. I think that the Dean's contract is similar.

Reply to your termite question
 

Your,"inspector stopped by," not sure what you have said.
There are several ways to control termites. One is termite baits. Is that what you have and what the inspector was there to check?
RE: three year contract for $400.
We used DEANS they apply termite chemical every year.
Our cost is $150 so about the same as your $400 quote for
three years.
BEWARE-if you let the policy lapse you will find it difficult to reinstate coverage ansd it will make it difficult to sell your home without termite coverage.
RE: 8 homes up north over the past 50 years.
In the old days, the chemical was CHLORDANE and properly done you only needed to do it once. Chlordane can no longer be sold so it is not an option. Also, this is Florida.
There is no winter cold to kill insects. Far as I know up north you/we only had risk of subterranean termites. Here we not only have them but there is a variety of termite that flies. Different0no not the ones you are familiar with that fly briefly to set up a new colony.

The pesticides applied to lawns and shrubs are NOT the same as the termiticides injected underground. BOTH are needed.

By law, at renewal time pest control companies can only treatvwith termite chemicals if they see termite activity. Some get around this by saying they are treating the border or foundation area of the house for ants. Termidor is still worth the extra cost for termites and “ant” treatments.

You want to be sure that you also are getting insurance to handle any damage that might be done.

You also have a lot of wood in your roof.

:shrug: Did Massey tell you that you had another option..... like switching to Deans? That is what I did when they came through our neighborhood trying to scare people (IMHO) into paying more. I called Deans before my Massey coverage expired and they did an inspection and signed me up. Been with them for several years..... no problem and no scare tactics. :ho:

My neighbor made a good point. He doesn't have termite "insurance" since virtually every house in the neighborhood is treated, so where would they come from? I have minimal insurance, and think it's a total waste of money, but for $110 a year, there is a little bit of protection there (I too live in a concrete block house, and other than the roof trusses and trim, there isn't much wood here).

Personally, I would not buy a home in the deep south without an active termite bond that would include any and all damage.

What am I not understanding?

If I am a purchaser I'll have a termite inspection. If the property doesn't have termites I'm good to go. If it does have termites the damage must be repaired.

What does the bond do for me, the purchaser?

Pays for the damage repair for 5 years if you maintain the inspections.

Termite
 

Call Superior Services Ask for Mitch
1-800-Pest Control He will explain why you need coverage. Florida is the Termite Capital of the States! They us Termidore

Most termite protection being offered lately only protects against subterranean termites! If you own a block home or poured concrete the chances of you encountering subterranean termites are slim to none. Wet wood and dry wood termites are a different animal, in a stucco or concrete home they usually attack wood trim or any wood made wet and never allowed to dry out, such as from a roof leak. Your termite policy does NOT cover wet wood or dry wood termites! READ IT!

Never heard of a single homeowner complaining about having termites. I think it’s another way of making money. Had a contract 12 years ago with Massey, the third time they came to inspect, they didn’t look at anything until I asked him....arentyou going to inspect???? I think it’s a scam!

I’ve lived in Florida most of my life, and have seen what termites can do!
I cringe when I see trellises up against a home’s outdoor wall. Yes they’re so very beautiful and I admire the flowers, but struggle with myself whether or not to knock on the door and tell my neighbor that they are openly inviting termites into their attics!!
HELP - tell or mind my own business??
Would you want me knocking on your door?
PS. Even if you have a concrete home, there can be small settling cracks and expansion joints that termites can enter and even enlarge the tiny concrete cracks. ������

Massey thinks they have a monopoly here in TV and can charge what they want. I had them when I first arrived. But they misdiagnosed a problem I had. I contacted the company that did my pre-purchase inspection (on the recommendation of Properties of The Villages) and signed with them. Have been very pleased. Call Integrity Home Services, 1600 N. Croft Avenue, Inverness, Fl 34453. Tel: (352) 344 3370

Termite Map from UF
 

This is a map of termites located in FL. You can click on the colored dots and get an exact location. Termite distribution in Florida (updated 6-8-2018) - Google My Maps

We purchased our preowned home lat Fall. Last week I signed up with Massey. Honestly, I got no pressure from their rep, and he actually recommended the basic policy. He did show me a picture on his phone of a courtyard villa south of 466A that had damage. The owner was told that she did not need the policy since she had block construction.
I have seen the damage that termites can do. Our country club in PA had extensive damage to a new addition after only a few years. They sued the pest control company, won, and the inspector got fired.

Call Truly Nolen for second opinion

My neighbor did not have a termite cntract. A concrete house only 3 yrs old. He found termites when they swarmed from the wall behind his refrig adjacent to the garage and had a lot of damage there. He has had to have the bait traps buried around the perimeter now. In florida its not IF you have termites but WHEN. I HAVE A GREAT CONTRACT WITH SUPERIOR. They did a ditch around the house for treatment for a one time price, then will redo it free every 5 yrs . I also have a shrub, plant, bug contract with it quarterly, can call them anytime if note any critters. $395/ yr.

Thanks for posting. I didn't see any markers here in TV. Did I miss something?

It is a myth that having a concrete house offers protection against termites. Termites live underground and enter the house through small cracks in the foundation. They usually eat soft wood like window sills, doors, trim, and also drywall and carpet. A concrete house is just as vulnerable to termite damage as a frame house.

I believe there is one reported in or near the Rio Grande section of the Villages. It is a purple triangle on the map. Scroll down the map to south FL and see all the dots down there. WOW! Thanks to the poster who posted the interactive map.

BTW, when our home was built in 2012, the interior wood was treated for termites. We noted this as we were at the job site everyday to watch the build. The wood was treated about 3 or 4 feet high from where it met the concrete slab. We do keep up with our annual termite policy from Deans.

Absolutely correct. Not to mention all the furring strips between the block and drywall.

I saw the same photo 2 years ago.

Wellll...I had Termite Damage...
 

Even though my home had been treated for termites, the company missed drilling behind my front concrete steps. That’s where they entered. I had to have the whole front wall of my home removed and all the wood replaced. Thankfully I had termite insurance and it was covered. I now have Dean’s Termite Service.

From experience I can tell you that Termidor is the only product that absolutely works for killing subterranean termites. Bate stations do not kill termites they just show evidence that you have termites.

I still can't figure out why TV doesn't specify metal studs for new home construction if termites are such a HUGE threat (I know it doesn't eliminate the threat but it sure obviates it, IMHO).
The Benefits of Metal Studs - 6 Reasons for Choosing Steel Over Wood

I'm sure there could be other, very good reasons for using wood, however. I'm not suggesting it's a scam. Also, I'm not sure what they're using in the newer areas.

The Big Debate: Metal Studs vs Wood Studs | Home Remodeling Contractors | Sebring Design Build

FWIW I dropped my coverage at the time they wanted $400 - $500 for the renewal inspection and policy (at the 4 or 5 year point, I think). That was about 3 - 4 years ago. I walk the perimeter and look for any termite tunnels on the slab periodically but I can't say I've lost any sleep over the issue!

This is, of course, not a recommendation for anyone; it's what I do. YMMV :)

P.S. Could a permanent resident drop by my house while I'm here in Pittsburgh and see if it has been eaten yet? LOL :pray:

FredF

If you have cracks in your foundation, you could have a problem with ants and termites at some future time. You can inspect your home yourself, and there are over the counter pesticides that you can use to prevent pests from getting into your house. If you have roots from trees or large shrubs growing under your foundation, you may have problems with ants or termites at some future time. Do not plant too close to the house! Palm roots can travel 50 feet out from the trunk. There is your pathway into the house. Use No Pest Strips in your crawl spaces. It will kill any flying ants or termites during the swarming stage when they are looking for a way into your house via loose soffits and vents.

My home (4 years old) has metal studs for non-load bearing walls and wood studs for load bearing walls. The wood studs are sprayed up to 3-4 feet. You can buy Termidor and periodically refresh the boundary of your home. Inspecting for termites is not rocket science.

My view on the termite "bait" system .. For the transplanted northerners reading, it's like the yellow beetle bags used to "catch" annoying flying beetles in the summer.,. They attract all the beetles from all over the neighborhood and make you feel good since your bag is full ..

The bait system is supposed to be more environmentally friendly because you don't need to treat the entire perimeter of the house. You only treat the soil near the bait traps where you find termites. But, you need to continually monitor the bait traps and treat as needed. I would rather treat the entire perimeter and be totally protected.

I changed to Dean for my termite coverage. They also do lawn and spray for bugs. Reasonable price. But it is the technician
you get who applies the chemicals that makes the real difference.