Pest Termit Program -- Latest Experience and Suggestions (Early: how much, houses)

[getgoing2010]

Here again for your input.

Need new service for home north of the airport for termite and pest.

I've got Terminex, Orkin and Early Bird coming out for bids.

What's your experience with these or other companies you may use?

Suggestions and companies and how much do they cost would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

[justiciability]

I've used HomeTeam (previously known as Early Bird) for 7 years and I've been thoroughly satisfied with my regular pest and termite treatment and warranty. They even let me slide when I delayed renewing my termite warranty for over 3 months. I particularly use Roland -he's very knowledgeable, professional, and friendly.

[kevcrawford]

I use Stout Pest Control for myself and all my clients. Have for 10 years. Very professional, thorough, stand behind their work, etc.

[Me007gold]

We use Romney, our neighborhood has the tubes seviced by Home Team, but we do not use them. I found Home Team to be very expensive, and took a call to the BBB to get them to leave us alone.

[TrapperL]

My sisters married family is in the termite treatment business and I had a WDI license at one time. You need to be aware that unless you have termites, the pest control company, by Texas Law, cannot just treat a house anyway. The chemicals used are considered a ground pollutant and cannot be used unless actual ACTIVE termites are found. A few companies put "traps" in the ground and come by to inspect occassionally. But unless you know or suspect that you have them, this is wasted money. Any time a termite comany comes out and treats for active termites, they are required to extend to you a renewal. That money buys you a reinspection, that's all. If they did the job right to begin with, you won't have any. If they didn't they're required to treat only where the termites are found or a spot treatment. At one time a company could do a partial treatment like around the perimeter of the structure but they no longer allow it. A full treatment means that they put chemical at the perimeter and at any penetrations. The penetrations are where pipes like plumbing pipes or electrical conduits come thru the slabs. Any adjoining slabs where the expansion joint is located is also treated. That would be typical of a patio. Sometimes this requires drilling the patio to inject chemicals. A house on posts or piers requires each post and pier to dug out to pond chemical around the post or pier. The idea here is so you have a clue what is going to happen. The chemicals cost about $125.00 a gallon in concentrate and usually makes about 100 gallons of finish chemical. That's enough to treat an 1800 sq ft house on slab. Usually the guys will use a different chemical like Timbore at the penetrations. A 1.5lb bag is enough for most houses and costs about 10 bucks. So on most houses, the cost of chemicals is going to be less than $150.00. I'm telling you this so you are aware that termite treatment is a major revenue generator. Treatments in excess of $1000.00 are common yet chemicals costs do not justify the high price. Frankly, I consider it a scam. If you have a clue, you can treat your own house. The chemicals can be found at most feed stores. The big box stores will not have them. You can do it for about the cost of chemical and the instructions on how to apply are with the chemical- it's not rocket science, I can assure you.

[WilGar]

Originally Posted by TrapperL

My sisters married family is in the termite treatment business and I had a WDI license at one time. You need to be aware that unless you have termites, the pest control company, by Texas Law, cannot just treat a house anyway. The chemicals used are considered a ground pollutant and cannot be used unless actual ACTIVE termites are found. A few companies put "traps" in the ground and come by to inspect occassionally. But unless you know or suspect that you have them, this is wasted money. Any time a termite comany comes out and treats for active termites, they are required to extend to you a renewal. That money buys you a reinspection, that's all. If they did the job right to begin with, you won't have any. If they didn't they're required to treat only where the termites are found or a spot treatment. At one time a company could do a partial treatment like around the perimeter of the structure but they no longer allow it. A full treatment means that they put chemical at the perimeter and at any penetrations. The penetrations are where pipes like plumbing pipes or electrical conduits come thru the slabs. Any adjoining slabs where the expansion joint is located is also treated. That would be typical of a patio. Sometimes this requires drilling the patio to inject chemicals. A house on posts or piers requires each post and pier to dug out to pond chemical around the post or pier. The idea here is so you have a clue what is going to happen. The chemicals cost about $125.00 a gallon in concentrate and usually makes about 100 gallons of finish chemical. That's enough to treat an 1800 sq ft house on slab. Usually the guys will use a different chemical like Timbore at the penetrations. A 1.5lb bag is enough for most houses and costs about 10 bucks. So on most houses, the cost of chemicals is going to be less than $150.00. I'm telling you this so you are aware that termite treatment is a major revenue generator. Treatments in excess of $1000.00 are common yet chemicals costs do not justify the high price. Frankly, I consider it a scam. If you have a clue, you can treat your own house. The chemicals can be found at most feed stores. The big box stores will not have them. You can do it for about the cost of chemical and the instructions on how to apply are with the chemical- it's not rocket science, I can assure you.

Thanks!

[wadebecker]

I use Trutech, and they do an amazing job. I would highly recommend Josh Massey (he's our exterminator).