Termite Protection/Re-Treatment after 5-7 years
 

Background: My house is 7 years old and was originally treated for termite protection during construction by Massey. That was supposed to last for 5 years, but, they found very few problems until the 7 year mark. I have paid the $99 annual termite protection fee that gets me an inspection and coverage/treatment should there be an infestation.

Ok, fast forward to today.... Massey says at 7 years I have to re-treat or risk not being renewed next year. I could just renew this year without re-treating and see if they hold true to their threat to dump me next year.

They have two treatment options... one is drill around the perimeter and inject liquid; other is to drill holes and install bait traps. Both options cost $499 (but this years 99 renewal is waived).

The liquid option is guaranteed for 10 years then has to be redone, but, I still have to do $99 annual renewal/inspection starting next year.

The bait option costs a $149 each year but is guaranteed 'forever'. So, the two options net out to about the same cost.

The rep cited a handful of termite infestation cases working their way down through Lynnhaven area to Sunset Pointe as these houses age. Still, not a huge problem.

So, for some of you that live say, in Glenbrook, Hacienda or other places 10 years or older...what is Massey telling you now? What did they offer/threaten you with 2-3 years ago?

Part of me thinks they are using scare tactics to force you to spend on re-treatment.

On the other hand, do many of you opt for a re-treatment after xx years for peace of mind?

Massey, overall, has been responsive, effective, and efficient in my lawn weed/feed, pest control, etc needs so I have no real issues with the company's performance.

Our home in Hadley hit the 5 year mark and we were told we needed to retreat. You could forgo the retreat and pay the $99 which would only get you an annual inspection - if problems arose you are on your own. Having had a $25000. termite hit at another newer home in Jacksonville Florida I paid the $499 for retreat and can now sleep at night knowing if those pesky little rascals start eating my house I am insured and have coverage for the damage. It all depends on your personal comfort zone. I will pay $99 for the next 4 years for an inspection and to keep the policy in place.

Massey is a large company in several southern states , they have been around for more than 50 years. I would think they wouldn't use scare tactics to get you to renew. I had a bating system put in in ny and it cost me 2800 dollars and a yearly fee of over 300 to keep it in effect. Peace of mind is a good thing.

Just curious, does Massey perform a decent inspection, or a cursory look around for their $99 fee?i

E flyer.... The inspection seems to be reasonably thorough...they do the full exterior perimeter, all interior walls and peek into the attic. Takes a half hour. The 99 fee is for the inspection and "insurance" to cover the cost of any treatment/repairs resulting from a termite infestation at any time of the year.

However the $99 fee only gets you an inspection if you have not retreated according to their recommendations.

I'm on my 7nth year also, and was told the same thing. For peace of mind, I am going to do it. Since living here (2006), I haven't heard of any neighbors having termites? Does anyone know if any of their neighbors had termites, and what area?

Gomo... Up to year 7 when they 'require' a retreat, the $99 fee gets you the inspection plus treatment/repair for an infestation.

After year 7, sounds like they are saying they won't even offer the $99 annual inspection/protection unless you do a re-treat. That's why I'm asking folks in 10+ year old villages what Massey is telling them. Do they still offer $99 annual protection?

From an economics standpoint, I can't imagine Massey will cancel all these $99/year customers who don't re-treat in order to avoid paying treatment/repair claims from the small handful that experience an infestation.

I am leaning to getting it done just for the peace of mind. But, it is enlightening to hear what others think and what they've been told.

I agree!
It's simple. If they continue to treat the home, they stand behind the service.

As young newlyweds, we bought our first home (up North, pre-owned), not knowing there was a large termite colony in the home's addition (a large den and art studio). The day we moved in, my (then) husband plunked down his easy chair and plopped himself in it with gusto. A three foot chunk of ceiling tiles fell on his head and around his shoulders- LOADED with wriggling termite larvae.
I don't think he has recovered- yet.
(We won't even talk about my having to gather them up into a garbage can until we could get someone out to the house the NEXT day.) OR the cost for removal of the addition- and the glorious 90 year old pear tree outside. Neither could be salvaged.

Yep. Peace of mind is a beautiful thing.

Villages07, I am in exactly the same situation. Our house is 8 yrs old, and Massey's been telling us we need to retreat for a few years now. We've been having the same debate in our house, so I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Last Wed we had our 5 yr treatment done and this one will last for 7 yrs using Florida Pest Control applying Premise. They dug a trench all the way around base of home including screened lanai with pool and applied the Premise. Took around 3hrs as well as inspection including attic. Cost us $259.

Once your "treatment period" is over and they tell you it is time to renew you can keep paying the $99 annual fee, but all it will get you is an inspection - not protection. If you get an infestation once the "treatment period" is over you are on your own - your insurance policy is up. Read the fine print.

Seriously.........................
 

It boils down to 0.41 cents a day.........................................
Termite Infestation Probability Map For The USA, Australia & The World

Any new comments? We just received a letter from Massey and I am wondering if there are alternatives.

We switched from Massey to Deans. It costs more for the annual inspection but they retreat every year and you never pay for the full retreatment again.
It's $125 every year because we have them for Pest Control also. Their usual charge is $150 per year.


Convert to Save with Deans Services

The only problem with your argument is when you realize you have termites it's too late - the damage has been done. Believe me I was in a newer home and ended up with a $25k repair bill. Termites are a reality and the small cost these companies charge for annual inspection and treatment every 5 years helps me sleep at night.

Is there a reason you super size your text?

Just wondering.

I think it's just marketing, I spoke to guy working for Massy spaying a new build, he said the stuff they use lasts at least 5 years, likely 7.

He went on to say it's not rocket science to check on your own for tell tale signs at the foundation. Google it and you can get photos of what to look for.

He said the biggest thing home owners & landscapers do is put mulch or bedding right up to the foundation, it should be pulled back 6-8 inches.

That un-invites them

I had my inspection done at the 11 month mark, I said your too early come back next month, he said it wouldn't happen in a month to change any signs of their presence.

He walked around the house never came in or checked the attic. Kinda a joke.

I'll check my foundation a few times a year while gardening, save $500-700 dollars of the years, then maybe treat it.

You can buy the same stuff they use online for under $75.

Yes, we switched to Dean's from Massey. Massey wanted us to pay not only for the perimeter retreat, but another $350 for preventative attic treatment. I called Dean's, based on recommendations here, and they quoted me the same cost Rayschic mentions above. They also stated attic treatments weren't necessary here in central Florida away from coastal areas. And lastly, they have specially trained termite seeking dogs to inspect your home. The dogs sniff around the whole house, and because the dogs aren't in it for the money, I trust them!

Glad we switched.

.............. and use the BOLD application?

To be seen and heard.......................................

You left out the most important part of the retreat and annual inspection - the insurance policy that comes with that. So if the little buggers have eaten up your house before you notice the damage the insurance will pay for the repairs. By the time our swarmers showed up to indicate a problem an entire wall and balcony were in the process of being destroyed

Well A normal colony eats about 1 pound of wood a year.

That's about 6 inches of a 2x4

So It sounds like is your case it was undetected for years.

It is also important to keep moisture away from the foundation rain gutters for instance help that condition tremendously.

You can see mud tubes leading to and up the foundation no training required

http://info.spencerpest.com/Portals/...esized-600.jpg

http://www.amcoranger.com/wordpress/...0w-300x224.jpg

here you can see grass upto the foundation leading up under the siding

http://www.thrasherpestcontrol.com/w...be-300x225.jpg

So just take a walk around your house if they are there, they are visible.

When we had our issue in 99 there was a big deal about the stucco on a house going to the ground - so we paid a bunch of money to have the stucco cut from the bottom of the house. The termite issue was discovered after that and not revealed by this procedure. Interestingly the bulk of the damage was done on the 2nd floor of the home. In our last home we had swarmers on the 2nd floor of our condo - they were coming from the neighbor's attic - this is way bigger than the common man should handle. I don't even think most termite control people would find this stuff, but I for one am grateful to have in insurance policy in place to cover the damage if and when it is found.

Dean's ...
 

When I came here, my house was with Massey. Until the year expired, I looked over the offerings and immediately switched to Dean's. (At one time they advertised on TOTV, and Dean or a company rep would take the time to make himself available through the website to answer questions. I pay the $150 because I don't have pest control (or pests, by and large), in contrast to Massey who wanted $125. I guess I came after they changed their rates.

The OP might want to consider a switch to Dean's. If the pup finds the house clean, Dean's immediately begins annual treatment, not just inspection, and there is never a huge re-treatment bill somewhere down the pike. And the pups are cute as heck, for what that's worth!

FYI - the way dogs are able to detect termites is by smelling their flatulence!!! No kidding - termites fart and dogs can smell it - pretty strange.

Thank you for your information. I tend to agree with you. The letter I received from Massey is confusing and IMO intended to scare homeowners I do not like that company anyway. It is the only service I have with them after I bought a package shortly after I bought 7 years ago. Ca n I ask you what you personally do about termite protection?

you are using Georgia style, the above is super-sized to 4

this is Georgia default size

this is Georgia default size in bold

this is Georgia size 4 in bold

Just pointing it out its harder to read and it appears you don't realize you're selecting those fonts sizes.

Just trying help

[QUOTE=Bonanza;834386][B][FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="4"]I Whomever it was that charged you $25,000 took you to the cleaners. In all those years, even with tenting the entire house, the fee was never more than about $5,000.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear - the $25k was the amount of damage done before the termites were detected. We had only been in the house
for a year when the problem was detected. Yes we had a termite inspection, but it was not detected. That is why I so strongly believe in having coverage to protect yourself against the unknown.

[quote=gomoho;834434]I think folks are pointing out that perhaps you may have a case against the company that did the inspection because that amount of damage could not have been done within one year.

Does Massey automatically show up and do the follow up annual $99 inspection, or do they call and see if you want it done?

Does Home Depot or Lowes sell termite killer, liquid or powder?

[quote=villagerjack;834439]Thank you, but the reference I referred to was about tenting the house - not the damage I was referring to.

You indicate only $99/ per year. They want $141.00 from me!

They wanted $110 from us.

Guess they charge everybody different, because we all stupid and like to pay more than our neighbor

It's $99 if you also have other services provided by them - bundling - we all know about that.