[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by tommy steam

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.

Yes, Massey is a large company and there is no doubt in my mind that they are using scare tactics to put the fear of God in the residents of The Villages.

Let's not lose sight of the fact that the person with whom you are dealing is on a commission. They don't deviate; they say the same thing to everyone. However, if you read each comment you can tell that they have created a monster. Everyone's comment is a cliff hanger. No one seems to know what to do and is scared to death of not renewing their contract because of what the potential results could be, according to the salesman.

I will tell you that the possibility of all these terrible things happening are pretty much non-existent if your house is relatively new. Could you have termites? Possibly, but probably not. At some point, just about every house in Florida will get termites but we talking about years down the road. Termites are easily treated and if you need treatment, it is far less expensive to treat the problem when it happens than to have and pay for a monthly/annual treatment ongoing for all those years.

I have never lived in an area where just about every household is sprayed and/or treated with pesticides of one form or another on a monthly basis and if one bug is spotted, then more often. I fear that one day (when we are all history), the entire Villages could become a contaminated site because of these indiscriminate treatments.

It would appear that the spraying of houses and lawns is a cancer which is spread by companies such as Massey, Stellar, Dean, etc. and the cancer has a trickle down effect from one neighbor to another.

I originally moved to Florida in 1983. I have never had any kind of insect contract. Over all those years, I may have had two or three problems where I called a company to get a situation under control. Yes -- two or three times since 1983. Yes, I would see an occasional bug here or there but it was no big deal. A couple of bugs doesn't warrant an annual contract with any company!

So what am I saying? Forget the annual contract, forget the expensive renewal because THAT is the only way they will do business, and find a reputable privately owned pest control person who is in business for himself when and if you have a problem. Go to Angie's List and read the reviews if you are unsure, but there are more fish in the ocean than these big guys. Those salesmen and big kahuna companies don't care about you; they care about their pocketbook. Period! Don't fall victum to their scare tactics.
__________________

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

So what am I saying? Forget the annual contract, forget the expensive renewal because THAT is the only way they will do business, and find a reputable privately owned pest control person who is in business for himself when and if you have a problem. Go to Angie's List and read the reviews if you are unsure, but there are more fish in the ocean than these big guys. Those salesmen and big kahuna companies don't care about you; they care about their pocketbook. Period! Don't fall victum to their scare tactics.
__________________

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.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Yes, Massey is a large company and there is no doubt in my mind that they are using scare tactics to put the fear of God in the residents of The Villages.
__________________

Is there a reason you super size your text?

Just wondering.

[jimbo2012]

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.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by rayschic

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

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.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Is there a reason you super size your text?

Just wondering.

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

[Bogie Shooter]

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

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

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.

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

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by gomoho

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





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



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

[gomoho]

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.

[twinklesweep]

Originally Posted by rayschic

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

Originally Posted by Parker

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.

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!

[gomoho]

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.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by gomoho

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.

I have been a Realtor/agent since 1984. Every house that I ever sold HAD to have a termite inspection if a mortgage was involved and that was the majority of them. Most of the houses that had a termite issue could be spot treated. If the infestation was too large, the house would be tented. 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.

If someone is that concerned that they might have a termite issue, have an inspection every couple of years. It is never too late to treat the problem and years would have to go by for the problem to be grandiose.

Pest control companies are not stupid. In this area they bundle their service with other things so that you think you are getting a deal. They also realize that older people are gullible and suseptible to what they suggest. Just like you said, having the service helps you sleep at night. Trust me -- these companies prey on the elderly and that is exactly what they love to hear.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

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

Is bold a problem for you???

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Is there a reason you super size your text?

Just wondering.

Even if all fonts are the same size, different style fonts vary in size. In response to your question -- I didn't super-size it and no, there is no reason.