[Wondering]

Originally Posted by FingerEnglish

Just moved to the Villages...Montbrook Villas....
Got a renewal request from Massey for termite protection....
Are they legit?

If your house is a block and stucco, you probably don't need the protection. If it is a "Stick" house, you probably should get it.

[ronda]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Note that, on other threads, some people think that a concrete house will protect you from termite damage. That is totally false.

Well, wood components of a concrete house are still (in theory) susceptible to termite damage, but termites don't eat concrete. So your risk exposure in a concrete house is significantly reduced. I live in a concrete house, but do my own termite protection, just in case. For me, I have decided paying a company to do the treatments is overkill (pun intended). I think they take advantage of creating a fear story.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ronda

Well, wood components of a concrete house are still (in theory) susceptible to termite damage, but termites don't eat concrete. So your risk exposure in a concrete house is significantly reduced. I live in a concrete house, but do my own termite protection, just in case. For me, I have decided paying a company to do the treatments is overkill (pun intended). I think they take advantage of creating a fear story.

I agree that there doesn't appear to be a significant termite issue in The Villages, like other areas of the country. So, it is a personal decision to have a professional contract or not.

But, I will make two points. First, termites do not typically eat the structural wood in a house. Most of the damage they cause is to the soft wood items, like door frames, window sills, drywall, carpet, etc. There is no difference between having a concrete house and a stick built house as far as potential termite presence and damage. Second, if you are treating for termites by spraying chemicals aboveground, you are doing nothing to affect subterranean termites in your house. Subterranean termite treatment requires that you create a poisoned soil barrier around the perimeter of the house. The poison chemicals are injected under the house, not on the surface. Spraying chemicals aboveground does absolutely nothing to deter subterranean termites from taking residence in the soil under your house.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Yes. Massey treats most of the new houses for termites and provides a 5-year renewable contract. You should have received a written contract at closing. To renew the contract, you need to have them inspect the house annually for termites and pay about $100. If you don't, the contract will be terminated. After 5 years, you will need to retreat the house and start a new contract. Some people let the contract be terminated because they think the risk is small.

Here one can find a map. Formosan and West Indian varieties have been found in the villages, around RioGrande, and near. Fenny. More near Sumterville. < https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?usp=sharing&mid=1YNo4MTPGEAK7O39K6GFvn6CfQR k>

[McClendons]

I did the street of dreams tour this AM. When we walked into one of the houses, two swarming termites were sitting on the wall near the front door. Yes, there are termites in the area....

[Jima72]

Originally Posted by JohnN

Massey's will indeed want to retreat at something approaching a thousand dollars, at least in my case.
We switched to Dean's instead. Dean's treats at every inspection (Massey does not , they just look around) and while they're a couple dollars more annually, nothing like a retreat would cost. Best wishes.

According to the state of florida termite treatment rules dean can only treat for termites if they see active termites or damage. Doubt they are treating your house every year for this. Maybe spraying a general insect chemical or for ants.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Jima72

According to the state of florida termite treatment rules dean can only treat for termites if they see active termites or damage. Doubt they are treating your house every year for this. Maybe spraying a general insect chemical or for ants.

I don't know what type of treatment Deans does, but it made no sense to me to only treat part of the house every year. Massey inserted a metal pipe deep underground and pumped a chemical into the soil every 16 inches around the entire perimeter of the house. I watched the guy do it. This creates a poison barrier around the house that prevent termites from moving in. The treatment is guaranteed for 10 years.