Pest Control / Warranty (North: insurance, work, new home)

[MilesBFree]

We are looking for a good pest control company. The house is only 2 years old and a termite treatment was applied when it was built.

I talked to one big-name company, but this does not seem to work at all the way I pictured from the TV commercials. I was figuring that they would send a guy out with a sprayer, and he (or she) would go around squirting the foundation of the house or something similar. That's it.

The one company I had out so far spent most of the time discussing how much termite insurance would cost. I tried to ask how much a treatment would cost to keep the bugs out and how often this was needed, but then he told me how much it would cost per month for the insurance which would include an initial treatment. Then he spent a lot of time discussing their initial termite treatment (supposed to be good for 10+ years). Finally I got out of him that the initial treatment would cost over $2,200 if I just wanted that but not the monthly insurance payment.

I finally pried out of him that for the TV-ad type pest treatment it would cost about $70 every other month for a visit and to have a guy spray. This seemed like what I was trying to get to, but I think the guy cost himself a sale as now I am suspicious.

I checked the options from the company that was supposed to have done it originally, and it looks like they offer a similar insurance deal, albeit at a lower monthly rate. Haven't called them yet to see what the real scoop is, but after re-reading their letter asking me to re-up, I am guessing they will be similar.

This seems like another one of those things that just shouldn't cost as much as it does. Is this one of those sorts of scams to prey on the gullible (and/or people who have just moved here from parts North or West)?

If a reputable company already applied a termite treatment, why would I want another, if these are supposed to last for 10 years? Just to get the warranty?

Is the warranty really worth it at around $200 a month? I am thinking that I could get a lot of termite damage repaired for the amount it would cost me over the next 5 years... (Do any of the insurance companies offer a rider to include this on your homeowner's policy?)

Is the termite problem all that it is cracked up to be? Or is it just FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) tactics?

I am thinking a monthly or every other month spraying would make a lot of sense, but not thousands of dollars worth of insurance?

Any thoughts or opinions?

[groove1]

New home termite treatments typically last for 5-7 years.

Termite problem is serious in the south.

[south.charlotte&union]

As groove said, termites are a big problem here. If the soil was treated when the house was built, you should be able to maintain the insurance from the company who initially did the soil treatment -- I think ours runs about $140 per year. They come out each year to inspect. If you ever get termites, as long as you are still covered by the termite bond, the company will treat and repair the damage. (This termite bond covers not only the treatment but also the damage.) As any one of my clients can tell you, at the closing table I remind them that IMO this is the best $130 you can spend each year. Termites can be very destructive -- quickly.

We also have Terminix come out and spray quarterly for spiders, etc. They only spray outside unless we notice bugs inside and then they spray inside as well. It's about $85 a quarter.

[kellyandmike]

We use Mantis Pest Control. They come out every other month and spray the foundation and surrounding area for bugs, they put down snake-away, and spray the insides under cabinets, entry areas like dryer vents, etc...

We have had good luck with them. We pay $65 every other month. (That should not include the snake away but the sales rep sold it to us that way so they honored the price for over a year now.)

Tell them I sent you if you decide to go with them and I might get a discount on my next treatment. I can DM you my name if you might do that.

[PegSC]

What is snake away?