[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Most of the houses in TV are now over ten years old, and not everyone will have continued their termite protection, yet out of the tens of thousands on TOTV no-one came back to say that they have had termites here.

If even one person on TOTV who had not renewed the termite protection had subsequently had termites I suspect that they would have immediately posted to tell us not to drop the protection.

Either way, I have continued it to keep Mrs Fox happy. I just hope she drops that idea to dig elephant traps in the garden to protect the vegetables, because I'm fairly sure there are no pachyderms in the area.

Of the 100,000 in the villages, a couple dozen frequent here. Not a representative sample.

It almost sounds like you are saying that Termite protection is a scam. If so, by all means don't protect your house.

[sdeikenberry]

When we purchased here in 2013 Massey called on us because the previous owners used them. I was not impressed with their high prices and high sales pressure. I looked around, liked Florida Pest, and have been with them ever since. I have termite protection with them also. I live just south of Spanish Springs and am aware of at least three homes in our immidiate neighborhood that have had either flying or ground termites in the past five years. Most times you don't know you have them until significant damage has occurred. So yeah, I want the insurance.

[Dlbonivich]

Termites are extremely prevalent in Florida. TV has not experienced many out breaks because the homes are relatively new. Homes in the historic section have experienced problems. In the old days builders could use napalm chemicals to treat the ground before building. That has changed. Much weaker chemicals now. Read about termites and you will find that Florida is the perfect breeding ground for them. 2 kinds of termites. Dry wood treated with tenting. No preventative for the and Subterranean which is what they are trying to prevent. Do what makes you feel comfortable with. I have lived in Florida for about 24 years and I will take the treatment and insurance. I had termites in my block home before. I do not want the damage or hassle.

[Larchap49]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

It's always been a mystery to me. When I lived in Georgia, it would be unthinkable to not treat for termites. If you laid a board on the grass in your back yard, within a month or so, you could turn it over and see thousands of termites. But, the risk seems to be lower in Florida. It is standard to treat the soil under new houses. The Massey new house treatment contract expires after 5 years and they need to retreat and renew it. Actual termite statistics would be unreliable because most houses have been treated. Also, the cost for termite treatment is a lot less than homeowners insurance, and I don't see a lot of homeowners insurance claims either. I paid $400 to retreat and renew my termite contract, and it can be renewed for less than $100 per year for 10 years. Some people pay that much for one year of homeowners insurance, and they don't treat or inspect anything.

If you are a DIY person,, You can purchase Termidor (it's what the professionals use). On Amazon, its rated for ten years but in testing lasted more than twenty years. Do some research, even if you pay a company to do it I think this is at the top of the best treatment list. I treated my foundation right after purchase and I do all points of access, door sills, window sills, eaves etc. yearly. Also used it on last house in a termite prone area for 15 years. By not paying a Massey type business I don't have the Insurance protection but am confident I don't need it.

[DALEPQ]

Thanks to "Artic Fox" there was a reference to a prior thread from "Babubhat" that the
U.Florida/IFAS provided a map of Termite infestations in FL.
Very informative and shows very few in T.V.
Suggest checking that map.
Thanks for that info.

[bilcon]

Better safe than sorry. I have seen the results of termite damage in a friend's home in Florida. I would not have liked to spent what he did for repairs. Massey redid my treatment and gave me a new contract for the same amount as my former 10 year agreement.

[Petersweeney]

Massy would try to sell snow to Eskimos….

[MartinSE]

One other consideration, I would never purchase a house that did not have a record of continuous termite protection. I expect I am not alone. So, there may be some issues with selling your house if you don't have termite protection and insurance.

[rogerk]

Well worth theoney for the insurance. Sure you can find less expensive alternatives, but few if any offer complete repair of any damages caused by termites. In MHO, it's a no-brainer.

[Toddy]

Originally Posted by DALEPQ

Recently met with Massey about Termite service, they were quite convincing about their
service, haven't done anything with them yet.
Would like to know if there are any actual statistics on Termite infections for homes in T.V. Not who is getting service, but actual infestations. From what I have heard there are
very few, but don't have any statistics. I do know that properties are treated prior to construction.
Thanks for any info.

Been here over 15 years and never had trouble with termites. I know I had a trained termite sniffing dog go over the house and outside years ago.

[JIMQ3100]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

When I renewed my termite contract last year, I went with Massey. But, I also contacted Dean's. Massey provided a 10 year guaranteed renewable contract and locked in the annual renewal price for the first 5 years ($400 to treat and $79 per year for 5 years, with a possible increase after year 5). Dean's would not provide any guaranteed contract except for one year. They said that they will come out and retreat every year, but they would not provide an annual renewal price, and they would not even guarantee that they would renew the contract for an additional year. It was strictly on a year-to-year basis. That was totally unacceptable to me. Massey and Dean's are apples to oranges regarding termite treatment.

Do you mind giving the name/number of your sales rep, for some reason I am getting a much higher quote almost double

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by JIMQ3100

Do you mind giving the name/number of your sales rep, for some reason I am getting a much higher quote almost double

The price is going to depend on the size of your house, and I think it also depends on whether or not you have other Massey services. My Massey contract was done by a guy named John about a year ago.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by DALEPQ

Recently met with Massey about Termite service, they were quite convincing about their
service, haven't done anything with them yet.
Would like to know if there are any actual statistics on Termite infections for homes in T.V. Not who is getting service, but actual infestations. From what I have heard there are
very few, but don't have any statistics. I do know that properties are treated prior to construction.
Thanks for any info.

Yeah, of course, their spiel is good and is quite convincing. They are well-indoctrinated and could probably sell you ice in the winter.
The termite statistics in this area do not warrant their service.

Put the cost of their monthly service in a piggy bank and you will come out way far ahead!
And regarding pest control . . . Don't do anything for a month (or even longer) and you will see you do not need a pest control service.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

One other consideration, I would never purchase a house that did not have a record of continuous termite protection. I expect I am not alone. So, there may be some issues with selling your house if you don't have termite protection and insurance.

You would never buy a house that did NOT have continuous termite protection? Absurd and ridiculous!

That is NOT an issue with anyone selling their house.

How many people do you know who have had an issue with termites?
Yeah. That's what I thought!

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

You would never buy a house that did NOT have continuous termite protection? Absurd and ridiculous!

That is NOT an issue with anyone selling their house.

How many people do you know who have had an issue with termites?
Yeah. That's what I thought!

Thank you for the insult. I stated what I would do and not do and you insult me.

Mortgage companies will not approve a mortgage unless a proof the structure is termite free.

So, termites are a issue for selling your house. The mortgage company is willing to finance a house that has been inspected and said to be termite free. I simply take that another step, I won't buy a house that has not been continuously protected. I am sorry that causes you so much anger you must insult and ridicule me for having a different opinion than you.

* Termites are estimated to infect 1 in 10 houses in Florida, not all infected houses are damaged severely.

* Termites damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year.

* U.S. residents spend an estimated $5 billion annually to control termites and repair termite damage.

* According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. residents spend at least $1 billion on Formosan termite control and repairs each year. Some experts estimate the number is closer to $2 billion.

* Each year, termites and similar pests cause an estimated $30 billion in damage to crops and man-made structures in the U.S.

* A homeowner who discovers termite damage will spend an average of $3,000 to repair the damage.