Termites In Tucson (Green Valley, Pima: house, buy, new construction)

[sunshinecities]

Are termites really as common as some have noted on the boards - in all areas of Tucson? We have them here in CT- but only here and there - it's not common to find them in most places - although not necessarily rare. I'd like to know what people say about the termite issue in Tucson. Thanks.

[azloafer]

I don't know what the actual law is, but in Green Valley (25 miles south of Tucson) all new construction has to have a termite barrier sprayed on the entire area where the house will be built. It is sprayed on the ground just before the concrete slab is poured. It is also sprayed out from the slab area about 18". All new construction comes with a 5 year warranty against termite damage. After the five years are up it is up to the homeowner to get their own termite warranty. I have been in my house for four years now and I have had to use the warranty and have the perimeter re-sprayed twice. Many of my neighbors have had to do the same. The termites build mud tubes and come up from the ground inside of the tubes and into the house where there is a crack. They can't be in sunlight. It has to be moist for them to work. The go in and out of the house thru the tubes so that they can get moisture from the ground and then go back to eating. A homeowner has to watch for the mud tubes along the foundation and then have the termite areas treated whenever the tubes appear. On my last house I bought a termite warranty that covered up to $25,000 of damage for $175.00 per year. They make an initial inspection and then explain about watching for the tubes. I did find them several times during the 17 years that I lived there. The areas where treated under the terms of the warranty. Several of my neighbors also had termites. One house on my block had $600.00 worth of damage done to his garage. One 2 X 4 was eaten to the extent that it fell apart near the base of the wall. I will buy another warranty when my five years is up at this house. I suspect that there must be a law requiring the initial warranty because the builders don't do anything unless it is required! I also know that when we sold our last house we had to have a termite inspection. Maybe you can do a GOOGLE to find out the exact law in Pima County.