Pest Control on Newly Built Home
 

We will be closing on our newly built home on July 27. I am looking into pest control, and I think I will go with Superior. They have a termite treatment package, but said the house will be treated during or after completion of construction by the builder. My question is, does anyone suggest going with Superior's termite treatment package, or wait? I guess it's just a matter of pay now or pay later... Also, has anyone had any bad experience with Superior. Thanks for any input. Love TOTV!

Under the FL building code it must be treated before a CO is issued.
There is some type of doc issued.
It is treated before the slab is poured.

Your good for 5+ years, IMO a waste of $$

Termites are safe for awhile but you have yard eaters and ants...fire and **** ones and other little critters. Massey and Dean have a lot of business chasing after them.

Soil under the slab is no longer treated. They spray after framing and sheathing is complete.

We went with Stellar yesterday after closing.
Today they came and:
installed donuts
cut the lawn
fertilized lawn and shrubs and for fungus and insects
treated weeds in lawn
pest barrier done
mowed, edged etc
Everyone we have met has been super friendly and courteous.
They are like their name says "STELLAR"

Thank you all for your responses. So many decisions to make...

Deans have our house, so far no problems

We use Dean's as well. The staff is friendly and courteous. Massey's was too much of a hard sell. Too many phone calls and "stopping by" from them trying get our business. :ohdear:

Are you sure about that, my sales rep says it is done and online it says;

Before a commercial or residential structure is built, a termite barrier is required to treat the soil prior to the pouring of concrete in the State of Florida. This treatment is a preventative measure taken to protect all new structures from Subterranean Termite infestations. This treatment is required by the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control and is recommended to be re-treated every five years around the perimeter of existing structures.

So it sounds like buying new construction you are wasting you money to have treatments until the 5th year.

You are permitted to DIY in FL, all the chemicals cost about $200.

Reasonably certain, because they discovered that the chemicals used to pre-treat the soil actually caused a release of radon.

When you do the annual contract with Massey or others for the $115 or so you are actually contracting for coverage in case you get termites within the five year period. On the fifth year they charge you more because they treat the surrounding area again.

And yes, you can do it yourself but if you get termites you pay for the repair yourself.

According Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control (850) 617-7997, I spoke to here's the story.

The builder can do under slab or boric spray, but both is the best.

They are required to place a sticker in the house usually on the elec panel (has anyone seen these?) This will have the applicators name and products used.

He also said the sales rep telling me 5 years is incorrect, it's one. less the build time. So that may be 9-10 months after you move in.

But the active ingredients are good for 5-7 years.

He suggested to get someone at the end of the first year to do treatment inspection (insurance) etc. Not as I was told 5.

His office can be called to verify the contractor is licensed and how long in biz.

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Then to put this termite issue behind me I called Massey, they do most of the pre-treatment before construction in TV.

They are also a big company in several states.

The do spray the ground before the slab is poured and spray the boric stuff.

They agreed you are covered the first full year automaticlly, and most folks that contract with them do so in their second year thu the 5th.

Therefore, if you're offered/buy a protection deal that first year - I have a bridge for sale


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That is correct. I mistated that the $115 for the first five years. The first year is free. In fact I am pretty sure that you get a piece of paper when you close that states the one year warranty.

Thanks Jimbo for getting this useful and important 411

You'll find that the $115 is per year. Don't forget to renew annually.