If we tent house for termites. (mobile home, inspection, kitchen cabinets)

[1freespirit]

Aloha:

We will be coming to secure our winter home on the Big Island in about 6 weeks. If we decide to have the place tented for termites just to be safe - not sure if it even has them.

Does anyone know approximate cost for lets say a 1,400 sq. ft. area (includes lanai's).

Does it cost per sq. ft.?

Any recommendations or a good company that does this service?

Is tenting the only way to get rid of them or are there other ways? Maybe one we could do to prevent?

Also:

How long is it suppose to last meaning how long does it keep the termites away? Is it something that needs to be done yearly, bi-yearly, once every 5 years etc.?

Is there anything else one should do after tenting to help keep the possible threat for the little wood eaters from returning?

The house was tented at one time but I am not sure how long ago. I am thinking later part of 2006, but not sure.

Thanks so much!

[cynmkolohe]

I'm going to DM you with a link for the company we used for our house just over two years ago. The website should answer most of your questions...

(Our two-year warranty just expired, so we will be contacting them again when we decide to get tented again...)

[1freespirit]

Thank you received the link!

[KonaKat]

Kimaesha, there is really no regular pest control for termites. There is tenting and there is spot treatment to my knowledge.

To the OP, tenting usually is done about every 5 years so if yours was done in 2006 it's going to be time to at least have an inspection. Have them advise you also on what you can do to minimize your chances such as keeping shrubbery trimmed so it doesn't touch the house etc. We have been getting quotes for tenting that are less than 1/2 what was being charged during "the boom" 5 or 6 years ago.

[MadRussian]

Originally Posted by KonaKat

We have been getting quotes for tenting that are less than 1/2 what was being charged during "the boom" 5 or 6 years ago.

So, what's number? Is it big secret?

[HankDfrmSD]

I would not tent until I had moved in and gone through a full year's cycle, to see how bad the problem was.

Tenting kills "dry-wood" termites. Your house may or may not have them, and you can only really tell by living there for a while, and looking closely.

Even if you have dry-wood termites, they will not do major damage in a short time. You can wait. I have owned a house on Oahu for 44 years now, and it has had termites on and off for lots of those years. I've had it tented a few times, but they come back.

It depends on what your house is made of. If it was made from "treated" wood, you are probably ok. They will not eat treated wood, or redwood (which my house was made from). But there are always parts of the house that are not "treated", like kitchen cabinets, etc.

Ground termites are a different matter. They will eat you down to the ground in a few months or so.

Hank

[eureka1]

Boy, you're bringing back memories. I haven't seen a house tented since I left Hawaii.

[marcia fellows]

we live in a mobile home and we get the flying termites. is tenting a good idea and how long does it last? or is there another method?

[winkosmosis]

I've seen some houses with these tents. Does it not leave toxic residue in the house?

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

I've seen some houses with these tents. Does it not leave toxic residue in the house?

No. It's a gas.