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We have termites! Drywood termites in our house structure, wood. I've learned I have two options:
1. tent the house, leave for a few days (costly, inconvenient), professional company uses a toxic spray to kill all, very effective, huge hassle
2. use a product called XT-2000, done by professionals, it is actually orange oil, they pump it into effected areas of your structure; I can't find reliable studies (i.e., unbiased/objective) on effectiveness.
Either would cost us over $2000! Anyone have any experience with this kind of thing?
Tenting is the most effective method. Consider buying insurance with the service. Termites will likely be back soon and the insurance generally includes a free annual inspection.
I see them swarm from the ground around my house every year, during the first sunny day after the 1st rain of the fall. Drywood termites are the slower eaters of the two, but they can still do some damage. Subterranean are the real gluttons.
If you know that the infestation is limited to a small area, there are injection sprays that you can get at Lowe's/HD that have a small hose attached with a needle that goes through the wallboard.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
DonnieBrook N Hampshire/Florida
(United States) (Zone 5a)
Anything but using the leading national company that has an entire complaint website in just about every state. We and others around us had a horrible experience with them. They set out bait traps around the perimeter of the house, but didn't add the bait for the first year, during which time the damage continued. I don't think they would have ever added it, except for our flipping out after being told by the technician that he hadn't put bait in the traps yet. They charged us $2,500 to do essentially nothing. When we complained, they gave us an additional year of worthless treatment. We have since had to spend thousands of dollars to replace sills in our house.
I'd tent and read the guarantee very carefully with any company. Forget the bait systems!!!
I had them once in a house I bought. YES in MICHIGAN!! I never even thought to get a termite inspection 'cause I had never heard of them this far north. The "injecting into the soil" is the way to go!! termites are moisture lovers. So injecting the soil kills and repels others from coming in. But it does NOT last forever!!
At some point the termite poisons get weakened in the soil and they will return( lots of rain etc.)
You must be vigilant and keep a note and inspection on going every 30 days. You or your DH must check. Do also get a guarantee. they never are sure how heavy to "DOSE" the soil or how much rain YOUR area will get. All contributors to how soon they will return!! And return they will because if you have them YOU CAN BET so DO YOUR NEIGHBORS!! and so does your neighborhood! After iI had mine I went walking down the block and i could see new boards on garages at the base, new or repaired lower structures of homes(signs of new siding, new wood, etc.,) And of course i am not sure if they all swarm but oh Yeah that will tell you for sure if they are back!!!
Julie
I hope so too! But as I said the termites are REPELLED, some killed but not all. As long as they sense/smell some Orange oil they probably won't be back but...when the scent is gone they will probably return. So keep a look out!!
Julie
Good! It sounds as if you have it under control!!
It freaked me out in Michigan we are not used to them here. I went on line and learned More than I ever wanted to know. Read books and lots of "insect" information pages from the University extension agencies all over America! It really helped me Understand them and how they live and tunnel.
Good luck,
Julie
I had them at a rental house I lived in 12-13 years ago in Indiana--they were all over the garage, and then there was a back room that had these beautiful cherry wood floors, and I remember one spring they were swarming and I saw them all over that room. Very gross! I would have been more freaked out though if I'd owned the house!
Well that is exactly how i got a house with termites...I bought it for a rental. I had it treated and put it on the market with full disclosurer. I knew i would find a realtor who would sell it and sell it did. i just was too freaked out to deal with it.!!
Julie
