Termite treatment contract from previous owner (Rockville Centre, Nassau: house, home inspector, live in)

[NYCtoLI]

Hi everyone, we bought a house last year and my home inspector found signs of termite damage in one of the beams. The owner had a termite company to come in to inspect and do some treatment for termites. I did not know exactly what he did since this was all between the termite company and the previous owner. All I got was the invoice and the "Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report". The invoice showed that he installed the baits and treated some exposed wood members. The report said "Visible evidence of wood destroying insects was observed as follows: Termite tubes on sill plate in basement". Live insects were not found. And visible damage from wood destroying insects was not found either. The service was warranty for 1 year.

It is almost a year since we bought the house, and my question is should I call another termite company like terminix to come in and do a termite inspection first. If they found termites then I would call the company that the previous owner used to come in to do the warranty. Or should I just call the previous company since they might be familiar with what they did and the repeated treatment will be easy for them.

And any input about my termite problem or in general would be appreciated as well. I never had termites before. Thanks in advance!

[Kbinspections]

So, you can most likely renew the contract with the sellers company. Did they install baiting stations? If so, they should have come back to inspect them every 3 months.

Surface treating the wood for termites is allowed but ineffective.

Check their reputation.

Terminex is hit or miss. Depends on who owns the franchise.

[paperman1111]

Terminix is not franchised on Long Island. Also, the Whitmire bait stations are checked three times per year in the spring, summer, and fall (no winter) while the Sentricon stations are only checked once per year.

[VA Yankee]

Bait stations are not as effective as ground treatment with a product like Termidor but NY State eco-freaks prevent using this type of product. If you want another company to do an inspection that's fine but see if you can find a more local company, Terminex is usually not to well regarded in most places.

[thgreatalex]

We were in the same boat and opted to stay with the company used prior.

[NYCtoLI]

Thank you all for the info. The previous company installed baiting stations but never came back to inspect them. They installed many baits, like one every 8ft around the perimeter of the house and garage. They are a small company, probably a one man shop. I think I will try to get a 2nd opinion… just to be safe. Could you guys recommend, or suggest some names of termite control companies. I am in Rockville Centre (but I think anyone in Nassau would do). Thanks!

[Kbinspections]

8-10 feet is normal but typically never done properly. so that is a positive for the install. Call the small guy and get a feel. Ask if he has checked them any why not.

I do prefer Whitmire vs Sentricon.

Yes direct injection is better, quickly becoming harder to find someone willing to do it.

Did not know Terminex was not franchised on LI. If that is the case, make sure you get some of their better applicators.