Monday, August 29, 2005
When To Use Tents for Termites
St. Petersburg Times reports that their county in Florida is experiencing the worst termite problem that they have seen in years. This looks like another case of warm and wet weather causing high termite activity.
What I find interesting is that it mentioned the people that do tents are booked up for months ahead of time. This makes me wonder how often tenting is used as a treatment for termites? From my research, I've noticed that tenting is really only effective for drywood termites. It's not effective for subterranean termites.
Subterranean termites make up 90% of all termite populations in the U.S. In addition, subterranean termites, unlike drywood termites, are very dependent on moisture. So when there has been a very rainy season, I would think the new termite infestations would be subterraneans. So I wonder if tenting is being oversold?
I found some research into this issue of tenting for termite control. In addition to making the point that fumigation tents are not useful for subterranean termites, it also includes several negatives about tenting. One issue is that for the gas to kill drywood termites, it has to penetrate the pours of the wood. If it can penetrate wood, it's going to penetrate the carpet, matresses, sofas, and clothing. Also there are a lot of logistical problems with tenting. There's the cost of moving yourself, your pets, plants, and food for up to 5 days. And the tenting process can damage your roof and landscape.
What I find interesting is that it mentioned the people that do tents are booked up for months ahead of time. This makes me wonder how often tenting is used as a treatment for termites? From my research, I've noticed that tenting is really only effective for drywood termites. It's not effective for subterranean termites.
Subterranean termites make up 90% of all termite populations in the U.S. In addition, subterranean termites, unlike drywood termites, are very dependent on moisture. So when there has been a very rainy season, I would think the new termite infestations would be subterraneans. So I wonder if tenting is being oversold?
I found some research into this issue of tenting for termite control. In addition to making the point that fumigation tents are not useful for subterranean termites, it also includes several negatives about tenting. One issue is that for the gas to kill drywood termites, it has to penetrate the pours of the wood. If it can penetrate wood, it's going to penetrate the carpet, matresses, sofas, and clothing. Also there are a lot of logistical problems with tenting. There's the cost of moving yourself, your pets, plants, and food for up to 5 days. And the tenting process can damage your roof and landscape.
# posted by Ken @ 6:48 AM 
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Termites and Selling Your House
How does a termite infestation affect the sale of your house? A real estate advisor from Bankrate.com provides some information in this article.
The most important thing noted was to be upfront and honest about it rather than trying to hide it.
After the house has been treated, the article mentioned that it's a good idea to get another termite inspection before the house is put on the market. The inpspection report can be combined with previous ones to be included as part of the sales package. And be sure you confirm that the exterminator's warranty can be transfered to the buyer.
In my opinion it may be better to wait until you get a potential buyer since they would want an independent termite inspection. If the initial treatment was done to get rid of the termites, and you still have follow-up visits by that termite company, another official inspection would seem redundant before the buyer requests one. I suppose it may depend on the type of service you received from the exterminator service. As the article states, this inspection is typically paid by the seller and costs between $75 and $100.
How will the termites affect the resale value? Well, it's not going to help you any in the bargaining. However, the article had this optimistic note that a past infestation doesn't necessarily increase the probability of a future one, especially if your treatment included preventive measures like the installation of protective barriers.
The most important thing noted was to be upfront and honest about it rather than trying to hide it.
After the house has been treated, the article mentioned that it's a good idea to get another termite inspection before the house is put on the market. The inpspection report can be combined with previous ones to be included as part of the sales package. And be sure you confirm that the exterminator's warranty can be transfered to the buyer.
In my opinion it may be better to wait until you get a potential buyer since they would want an independent termite inspection. If the initial treatment was done to get rid of the termites, and you still have follow-up visits by that termite company, another official inspection would seem redundant before the buyer requests one. I suppose it may depend on the type of service you received from the exterminator service. As the article states, this inspection is typically paid by the seller and costs between $75 and $100.
How will the termites affect the resale value? Well, it's not going to help you any in the bargaining. However, the article had this optimistic note that a past infestation doesn't necessarily increase the probability of a future one, especially if your treatment included preventive measures like the installation of protective barriers.
# posted by Ken @ 6:39 AM
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Typical Termite Treatment Cost
Do you feel the pest control salesman is quoting you an unreasonable price for the termite contract? And is yearly contracts really necessary? Salesmen always like to lock their customers into long term contracts. It can be useful to see the opinions on others on these issues. This is where message forums can come in handy. Of course you always have to take the info with a grain of salt. Here's a thread at ClarkHoward's forum (famous consumer advocate) which discusses these issues. Here are some of the costs quoted in the thread along with some advice:
The first post mentioned a contract that cost $1370 in 2003 with $300/year. Now for renewal it'll cost $500 and then $200 a year.
This post mentioned the cost of the initial house termite treatemnt a few years ago was $400 and $200/year for continued certification. Recently, the contract was renewed the for $600.
One blamed regulation for higher costs and offered some advice. Due to current government laws limiting pesticides, full re-application is needed every 5 years. If you don't maintain the contract, it can cost thousands for a termite letter which will be necessary if you sell your home.
Some more adviced seemed reasonable: In your termite contract review what they say about termite infestation to see if they'll repair the damage or just offer a retreatement.
Finally, a long-time Florida resident thinks the yearly contracts for termite pest control is just a big money making scheme. He had a big two story house fumigated twice in 30 years costing a total of $1,500. His last house went without treatment for 5 years with no problems.
The first post mentioned a contract that cost $1370 in 2003 with $300/year. Now for renewal it'll cost $500 and then $200 a year.
This post mentioned the cost of the initial house termite treatemnt a few years ago was $400 and $200/year for continued certification. Recently, the contract was renewed the for $600.
One blamed regulation for higher costs and offered some advice. Due to current government laws limiting pesticides, full re-application is needed every 5 years. If you don't maintain the contract, it can cost thousands for a termite letter which will be necessary if you sell your home.
Some more adviced seemed reasonable: In your termite contract review what they say about termite infestation to see if they'll repair the damage or just offer a retreatement.
Finally, a long-time Florida resident thinks the yearly contracts for termite pest control is just a big money making scheme. He had a big two story house fumigated twice in 30 years costing a total of $1,500. His last house went without treatment for 5 years with no problems.
# posted by Ken @ 7:00 AM
Termites in Sioux Falls South Dakota
This is another case of wet weather bringing out the termites. This time it's in Sioux Falls South Dakota. The common termites in Sioux Falls are the subterranian termites. The article provides some useful info:
The sawdust reminds me of a previous post which mentions that drywood termites often leave behind tiny wood pellets which is the cellulous that they can't digest. This post described termite sawdust as black dust with tan-colored specs and a granular texture.
- Termites signs include soft wood, mud tubes inside or outside the home, and darkening or blistering of wood
- A typical termite pest control job costs anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000
- In the case reported in the story, sawdust was seen around the basement
- Many people wrongly assume damage is from water rather than termites
- Serious structural damage by termites is rare when caught early
The sawdust reminds me of a previous post which mentions that drywood termites often leave behind tiny wood pellets which is the cellulous that they can't digest. This post described termite sawdust as black dust with tan-colored specs and a granular texture.
# posted by Ken @ 5:54 AM
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Arizona Termites and Local Pest Control
If you live in Arizona, you probably appreciate the rain that you've received lately unless of course if you've been flooded. Unfortunately, termites like the rain also, and according to this press release from Termidor, August is the typical time that Arizona residents start to see signs of termites.
The article goes on to descibe the typical type of termite in the area, the desert subterranean termite. One especially interesting sign of these termites is the narrow, free-hanging tubes they build from ceilings or overhangs which can be as long as a foot.
Of course the press release recommends a liquid Termidor treatment. This got me thinking about Termidor. With a little research I found that they are like a franchise. Local pest control professionals have to take Termidor training to get authorized to apply Termidor treatments.
I then thought about how someone could determine if a local pest control professional was any good. Of course you can check the BBB. Also, I've found some online resources which allow consumers to give feedback on businesses that they've dealt with. As an example I looked to see what pest control companies they had in the Phoenix area. RipOffReport.com listed two companies. One of these companies had a pretty bad complaint from one customer who alleged the company's workers trashed his house. Respond.com listed several companies. Many had positive references. I always say the more information the better, especially when you're going to have sign a high-dollar contract.
The article goes on to descibe the typical type of termite in the area, the desert subterranean termite. One especially interesting sign of these termites is the narrow, free-hanging tubes they build from ceilings or overhangs which can be as long as a foot.
Of course the press release recommends a liquid Termidor treatment. This got me thinking about Termidor. With a little research I found that they are like a franchise. Local pest control professionals have to take Termidor training to get authorized to apply Termidor treatments.
I then thought about how someone could determine if a local pest control professional was any good. Of course you can check the BBB. Also, I've found some online resources which allow consumers to give feedback on businesses that they've dealt with. As an example I looked to see what pest control companies they had in the Phoenix area. RipOffReport.com listed two companies. One of these companies had a pretty bad complaint from one customer who alleged the company's workers trashed his house. Respond.com listed several companies. Many had positive references. I always say the more information the better, especially when you're going to have sign a high-dollar contract.
# posted by Ken @ 3:21 PM
