[gweisheipl]

I will be new to The Villages in late September. I have read many posts about Termites, but haven't seen any discussion about property owners performing the treatment themselves. I have a close friend in SW Florida that does Termite Treatment himself. Why shouldn't I do this myself? Does anyone associated with this board do it themselves. Do any of your neighbors do it themselves? Is it the fact that you can show a future buyer that the house has had annual treatments is why so many homeowners use Massey or Deans or ? Just curious.

Please advise.

Thanks,

GW

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by gweisheipl

I will be new to The Villages in late September. I have read many posts about Termites, but haven't seen any discussion about property owners performing the treatment themselves. I have a close friend in SW Florida that does Termite Treatment himself. Why shouldn't I do this myself? Does anyone associated with this board do it themselves. Do any of your neighbors do it themselves? Is it the fact that you can show a future buyer that the house has had annual treatments is why so many homeowners use Massey or Deans or ? Just curious.

Please advise.

Thanks,

GW

People don't buy it for the treatment.... they buy for the insurance.

[thelegges]

You will have a harder time if you sell your home. The owner of our preowned was using a non descript company. Sale was predicted on a known company doing inspection and writing a new policy

[rjm1cc]

I spray for my own bugs, including termites. But I also pay a company for termite protection. They inspect the home each year. The only reason I hire the company is, as noted above, the insurance.

I do not have any problems with bugs so I would recorded you do what I am doing.

[retiredguy123]

The standard treatment for subterranean termites requires that you drill holes deep into the soil and inject a strong chemical every 16 inches completely around the perimeter of your house. This provides a long lasting poison soil barrier to prevent termites from invading the house. The treatment is really not a do it yourself project and should be done by a professional, especially because the chemical is dangerous. Spraying chemicals above ground will not prevent or eliminate subterranean termites. There may be other types of above ground termites for which spraying may be effective. But, subterranean termites can live in the soil under your house and travel up and down into the house and slowing eat the wood and drywall material, and can cause major damage over a period of years. Maintaining a termite contract is worth the cost for peace of mind and for reselling your house.

[VillagerNut]

A normal homeowner cannot purchase the chemical that is required to properly treat a house for termites! It is about $650 to have a house initially treated. And then that treatment does not have to be redone for 10 years. But you do have to pay a renewal of approximately $150 per year to keep up the termite bond. Exactly what other people said it is a huge relief to have that bond if you actually do get termites that they will replace/repair any damage. Read the contract before you sign for treatment of what they will and will not replace/repair. Not all companies are equal! While we're at it yes concrete houses need to have a termite bond also! Lots of furring strips, wood studs and wood rafters to attract termites! Water damage on wood is a huge attraction to termites! So the termite bond is the second best insurance that you can have on your home right after your homeowners insurance!

[NoMoSno]

Originally Posted by VillagerNut

A normal homeowner cannot purchase the chemical that is required to properly treat a house for termites! It is about $650 to have a house initially treated. And then that treatment does not have to be redone for 10 years. But you do have to pay a renewal of approximately $150 per year to keep up the termite bond. Exactly what other people said it is a huge relief to have that bond if you actually do get termites that they will replace/repair any damage. Read the contract before you sign for treatment of what they will and will not replace/repair. Not all companies are equal! While we're at it yes concrete houses need to have a termite bond also! Lots of furring strips, wood studs and wood rafters to attract termites! Water damage on wood is a huge attraction to termites! So the termite bond is the second best insurance that you can have on your home right after your homeowners insurance!

Termidor is what my pest control company said was used for treatment. This is widely available for anyone to purchase. I chose to have them apply it tho.

[crash]

Originally Posted by VillagerNut

A normal homeowner cannot purchase the chemical that is required to properly treat a house for termites! It is about $650 to have a house initially treated. And then that treatment does not have to be redone for 10 years. But you do have to pay a renewal of approximately $150 per year to keep up the termite bond. Exactly what other people said it is a huge relief to have that bond if you actually do get termites that they will replace/repair any damage. Read the contract before you sign for treatment of what they will and will not replace/repair. Not all companies are equal! While we're at it yes concrete houses need to have a termite bond also! Lots of furring strips, wood studs and wood rafters to attract termites! Water damage on wood is a huge attraction to termites! So the termite bond is the second best insurance that you can have on your home right after your homeowners insurance!

The only thing to add is the first treatment was done by the builder and dated on your electrical panel. After 7 years a different treatment is applied outdoors and again every 10 years to keep the termite bond in effect.

Don't let people fool you termites are a large problem in Florida if no action taken. By the time a home owner sees evidence of termites there is already damage.

I was told by Massey that termites are less of a problem in the Villages because most people keep up with termite prevention.

[Dan9871]

Originally Posted by NoMoSno

Termidor is what my pest control company said was used for treatment. This is widely available for anyone to purchase. I chose to have them apply it tho.

Even though it can be purchased in many places online, like Amazon, the Termidor web site says that only professionals can purchase or use it.

There are even directions online about how to apply it.... though they are prefaced with "for professionals only". The directions are way beyond anything I, as a home owner, have had to do to apply insecticide from a hardware store.

There are lots of things like Termidor that are "for professionals only" that you can purchase online, but Termidor actually seems to be dangerous to work with unless you know how to handle it.


This is from the Termidor web site...

"Where can I buy Termidor?

Termidor cannot be directly purchased or applied by homeowners. Only licensed pest control professionals who have taken Termidor Certification Training are authorized to purchase and apply Termidor. "

Termidor for Termites Frequently Asked Questions

The labels on their products say it can only be purchased or used by pest control professionals, including the ones sold on Amazon.

Here is a label Termidor (BASF) submitted to the EPA for product approval.

https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem...9-20050819.pdf

Also Termidor seems to have a number of different products. Some need to be reapplied every 6 months and others last for 10 years or more without a re-application.

[mtdjed]

I agree that the original house was treated by a contractor when it was new. However, my house is now in it's 11th year and under contract with the original provider (Massey) for termite protection. There has never been a new or 2nd treatment other than adding Bait traps (which are said to have some sort of poison that would be taken back to a nest if an infection occurred). That cost me $500 and the only reason I got it was because of the Insurance Placebo.

I would point out that Massey started calling for me to get this after 7 years but also sent an annual bill stating that upon payment warranty was extended. After 3 years they decided to force the issue.

I watched every annual inspection. No treatment. Agent walked perimeter of house looking for evidence of mud tubes from ground. None found. Checked attic from walkup steps. Never checked eaves or vents for flying termites which they got me to pay extra for protection.)Walked inside of house looking for same flashlight in hand. Checked all cabinets especially around plumbing and electrical holes for evidence of tubes or termite wings. 20 minutes later got my clean bill of health (No Termites). No spraying or granules dropped to fortify original treatment.

I am convinced that they are content with my annual payment and countless others as well as their 7 year itch for $500. If I find termites, they will be happy to come and treat to kill and repair any damage. So being somewhat of a neatnik, they probably wouldn't get stuck with a big bill. Perhaps their inspection are to check how neat we are and to then judge whether we would be more likely to allow a problem to exist.

[rubicon]

Massey does my lawn and my pest control the results have been good. my termite protection included treatment of the attic and plugs place all around my home and periodic refilled.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by VillagerNut

A normal homeowner cannot purchase the chemical that is required to properly treat a home!

False! the chemical brand name Is Taurus SC. Available to anyone who reads this. A five year supply is 78.00. The termite bond is useless, I read the contract. Since I am in the business of writing, awarding and administering contracts I feel qualified to state this unequivocally. I can drive a truck through the contact's disclaimers.

I have no doubt that anyone who purchases my home will not inquire about a bond, and will not require it as a condition of sale, further I have no doubt my application of termitcide is superior to the under paid, under valued, rushed technician that applies the same product.

Contrary to what has been stated here, the annual treatments do not involve drilling in the ground around the home's foundation. Also important to note, prior to homes located in your village it was farm or ranch land. There were few food sources for termites, they are not a naturally occurring home predator. You are just keeping them out, Not fighting an invasion. The Taurus SC that you apply to the home and perimeter by sprayer will remain in the soil for 10 years. Essentially, you are refreshing the original application each time you spray. As a side benefit Taurus SC is a excellent and killer.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Contrary to what has been stated here, the annual treatments do not involve drilling in the ground around the home's foundation.

I'm curious. What does the annual treatment consist of?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I'm curious. What does the annual treatment consist of?

There is no annual treatment, only an inspection. The perimeter soil treatment should last for 10 years or longer.

[Wiotte]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

False! the chemical brand name Is Taurus SC. Available to anyone who reads this. A five year supply is 78.00. The termite bond is useless, I read the contract. Since I am in the business of writing, awarding and administering contracts I feel qualified to state this unequivocally. I can drive a truck through the contact's disclaimers.

I have no doubt that anyone who purchases my home will not inquire about a bond, and will not require it as a condition of sale, further I have no doubt my application of termitcide is superior to the under paid, under valued, rushed technician that applies the same product.

Contrary to what has been stated here, the annual treatments do not involve drilling in the ground around the home's foundation. Also important to note, prior to homes located in your village it was farm or ranch land. There were few food sources for termites, they are not a naturally occurring home predator. You are just keeping them out, Not fighting an invasion. The Taurus SC that you apply to the home and perimeter by sprayer will remain in the soil for 10 years. Essentially, you are refreshing the original application each time you spray. As a side benefit Taurus SC is a excellent and killer.

I can guarantee you that anyone buying your home including the agent selling your home WILL inquire about a termite bond. You may disagree, buyers and agents will not.


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