Speaking of bugs... let's talk TERMITES! (new house, neighborhood, buying)

[waterbabies]

Our new house will be finished in a few months and it's been highly recommended that we get a bond(?)/contract with a termite service. I guess they come out to the house to inspect/spray once or twice a year and if any damage is found, they are liable, correct? Of course, pending the contract is current (to the tune of $2000/year, or so we were told).

What is your opinion and/or experience re: this?
Which comapany would you recommend?
Anyone ever had problems with termites?

Termites are not common at all where we're moving from, so this is totally new to us. Apparently, they're pretty damaging, but don't work very quickly, so if we're vigilant about it, hopefully it won't be a problem?

[saturnfan]

Formosan termites are rare here but common when we lived in New Orleans.

These fly into the attic and eat their way down to the ground. By the time you see the tunnels, they've eaten the wall. Homes are tented and soaked in poison gas.

Google formosan termites for a scare. They endangered much of the French Quarter.

[VickiR]

Termites are very common in this area.

When buying new construction, the builder has already had the land treated. You will get documentation at closing to prove that the termite company has done this. You will also get a year's warranty.

At the end of the year, this company will call you to determine if you want to continue your policy with them. The price will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $125 to $175 per year. You should continue, as there are termites in this area.

However, some companies charge you to INSPECT yearly but what you want is a WARRANTY that if they inspect and find damage, they are responsible for repairs and re treatment.

Vicki

[leighbhe]

As vicki said, you will get that termite treatment from your builder. At the end of our year, the company they used was more expensive than the pest company we were using, so shop around. Our pest company sprays and inspects for termites once a year, and it s 89 a year.

Leigh

[sacredgrooves]

your initial soil treatment will be good for 3-4 years (provided it wasnt destroyed during grading, which is rare, but happens) As long as you have your house inspected once a year, there are no worries. Spot treatments are cheap if they even have time to make it to the wood. I HIGHLY recommend a local company as opposed to larger companies such as Orkin, Terminix, and Economy. The large companies are masters of the upsell, and where alot of termite inspectors get their start(inexperienced).
Smaller local companies tend to give better customer service and are far more experienced inspectors.
If you or anyone needs a good company, there are two that I see alot as a building inspector that do a tremendous job. I am not vested in their business in anyway, just impressed with their work. Feel free to PM me for their info.

[waterbabies]

Thanks everyone... guess it's not as expensive as I'd thought, that's good!
I will be in touch, sacredgrooves, as you'll be doing our house inspections. :0)

[sacredgrooves]

Originally Posted by waterbabies

Thanks everyone... guess it's not as expensive as I'd thought, that's good!
I will be in touch, sacredgrooves, as you'll be doing our house inspections. :0)

I am looking forward to it