[cathell62]

You definitely need protection. There is no coverage under a home owners policy and termites love concrete as well as wood.

If you had it keep it up as most companies give you a guarantee if there is damage. If you're going new, you'll pay more for the initial since they have to test and treat.

Dean's was the original on my house and I kept them. Massey would be another. For this protection, stick with the major companies. Mom and pop's are ok for most things, but for this, I would make sure I used a National company.

[Annie66]

The termite insecticide (Termidore) should be injected around the foundation. If the area you live in has hard packed clay beneath the surface, the insecticide will not penetrate very deeply and it will be much less effective. Injecting the insecticide every 12-18 inches, which reputable companies do, solves most of that problem. Secondly, the insecticide has a limited life. Most pest control companies will tell you the effective life span is 7 years, so if you're at 10 years, you're probably well overdue for retreatment.

[big guy]

If, when we bought in TV, the owner said, 'I have been treating for termites for XX years', we would have paid for a termite inspection anyway, unless he/she showed me his or her pesticde applicators license. We have Massey and the yearly inspection is only $99 and if there are termites and there has to be treatment, there is no other charge. When we bought this house there had been no yearly termite inspections so there had to be treatment to satisfy the bank and title company. We had to pay the $400 for treatment. When I look back we should have asked the former owner to pay that except we got such a good deal on the house.

[Judy n Ron]

Here in FL, it's not a question of IF termites will try to strike, it's when. This is my 3rd home in Central Florida in 30 years and I have had a few small infestations appear in my 2 homes in Orlando. It's not worth NOT having the protection. Keep the bond and retreat as necessary. Ron

[jimbo2012]

I think the annual contracts are a scam, they are only insurance, not protection

I had a certified guy do an inspection last year found nothing said every 3 years is fine.

You can also get get some fresh air and walk around your house look at the foundation for signs

[joseppe]

Wondering about termite control in cinder block homes. Many also use metal 'studs' internally. Virtually all roofing, however are wood studs. Not much wood for the little buggers to eat.

I had 'termite bond' for 2 years. They did nothing except take the money for the 'bond'. No inspections, no treatment that I know of.

[neilbcox]

What do the termites eat? My home has a concrete slab, cinder block walls, metal studs! Do termites eat Sheetrock?

[Stu from NYC]

Been wondering about this.
Our home is about 10 years old and we just moved in about 2 months ago.
Home was treated upon construction and is stucco.

As part of home inspection we had termite inspection and all good.

I am ok with spending about $ 600 for treatment (Massey) which is good for as long as we live here but they want us to spend $ 150 per year for inspection to make sure that the treatment actually worked.

Seems like a scam to me but apparently many people think it is worthwhile.

[jimbo2012]

not a scam, just waste of $$

[DeafDeaf]

If any buyer buys a home with a mortgage, the lender requires an official termite inspection, which may cost a thousand dollars or more, including the preventive treatment and the inspector's liability insurance.

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

I agree. Renew your policy so you are covered in case you need it. Besides termites don't go away after 10 years or ever. Cheap insurance for the guarantee alone. Pay it like you pay your other insurances.

[Ann Sim]

I have lived in Fl. for 50 yrs..South Fla., Ft. Lauderdale, & 11yrs. now in the VILLAGES.. All of my homes were built with Block Stucco..never did I have any termites or treatment ..Is that called LUCK ?

[Quixote]

Compared to other insurances we pay, termite protection insurance is relatively inexpensive AND includes annual treatment for termites. It's my understanding that this is especially important after a home is ten years old, as by then the termite resistance chemicals that have been applied to the raw lumber before construction is pretty much worn off. If I were to do it myself, I'd still be paying for the chemicals AND I wouldn't have the insurance coverage that's included in the annual fee. To me it's one less thing to be concerned with....

[rrb48310]

Originally Posted by TandHSTAR@AOL.com

I agree. Renew your policy so you are covered in case you need it. Besides termites don't go away after 10 years or ever. Cheap insurance for the guarantee alone. Pay it like you pay your other insurances.

Or don’t, the termites that turn away from my treated home may head on over to your untreated home. It could be a defensive move.

[erojohn]

I replaced mine several Years ago. It was injected 9 years prior. Massey suggested.$$ redoing as it was approaching 10 years. So I bit. Not sorry I did. 150 per year inspects and provides the insurance. I did both subterranean and I believe formosian. We have a CYV so not a lot of places to get in. Our tech guy said there has been som activity in bonnybrooke. He said the most actively was patio villas and designers. Reason stated more ingress areas.