Termite Protection
 

Time to pay my Massey Termite protection bill of $164. House was protected originally and I have paid the fee each year. I get the bill and pay it and then agent comes and says I should pay another $500 for bait traps. They usually have agent visit first , but keep sending bill.

Question is .. If you have termite damage, would your home insurance cover damage in excess of deductible?

We have no damage, or evidence of termites, but think that there is some sort of issue that we are being scared into permanent payment. I know termites have been a discussion before many times but have not heard of any termite problems in the Village of Caroline. Any Caroline termite issues?

Termite or any type of vermin damage is rarely covered under a standard home owners policy....so if it does happen its at your expense to fix it.

I fully agree with you that companies (not just Massey) do use scare tactics in trying to keep you on-board. $164 as an annual fee just for an inspection seems very expensive. After you have the treatment, is the annual fee/inspection required in order to keep their guarantee in place? If you don't have a treatment, I believe these companies will do a free inspection for termites....if that's the case just call them every year for the free inspection..

I have yet to personally see or hear from anyone who has had termite damage in The Villages.

Read your termite policy very carefully. You might just discover that you re not getting what you think you are paying for........

If you are at all handy, you can periodically apply Termidor.

Termidor SC - Termidor Termite Treatment Spray - Toxicity, Label & MSDS

Our termite bond is around $150.00 per year through Deans. Included is a once a year treatment and inspection. Our bond includes repair and restoration costs should there be termite damage. I wouldn't think an extra $500 a year would be necessary. .. just my opinion.

I don't think home owners realize how simple it is to do this themselves rather than pay for not much or less by a termite company.

Do your own.
 

I second that. Dig a trench about a foot deep, or just pull the soil away from the edge of your house and pour the proper mixture of termidor and water. Let it soak into the ground at the foundation. If you have a access trap to your bathroom tub, open it and soak around the plumbing coming out of the concrete. Same with a laundry tub or kitchen sink.

I also have Dean's for about $150 per year, however, I pay it with my monthly payment to Dean's for mowing, pest spraying ect. so when it is time for the termite spraying, I don't owe any additional money.

I was surprised when we built a house here that there was no requirement to treat the ground before they put the slab in. In Louisiana that is a requirement to issue a termite certificate before financing can be approved.