Termite Prevention
Do you guys pay for termite inspections/bait? All of the rentals I have show signs of previous termite damage, but no active termites. I looked into setting out the bait/traps myself and monitoring, but it seems like a lot of time involved for not much cheaper than paying someone to do it. Of course "monitoring" would be a yearly expense that never ends....
Thoughts?
- Real Estate Investor / Joint Venture Specialist.
- Crown Point , Indiana
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How extensive is the termite damage? Have you opened up walls?
Depends on the house, one house I had to completely replace the sill....it was dust, I'm not sure how the roof did not start to sag. Another it is about 3 feet up the wall, 6 feet wide, not very extensive, the wood is still solid. The other houses I have not pulled back drywall but I can see where they have had previous termite treatments.
I have had houses treated. All of the experts tell me if a house was treated with chemicals more than say 20-30 years ago it is unlikely you will ever have termites again because of the chemical that was used.
I guess they are talking about Chlordane. It was banned 1988. It can persist for at least 25-35 years. So I never repeat treatments on previously treated properties. I have never seen a termite problem return.
I guess in another 5-10 years that might change.
Also I think that 25-35 years might be in soil. Prior to 1983 it was also put on wood products in the house. That could last much longer.
I've never paid for termite prevention/monitoring (only treatment of active infestations on houses I've purchased). For prevention, I usually just take basic (free) precautionary measures (i.e. eliminating direct wood to ground contact, eliminating any leaks or standing water, etc) to help reduce the chances of getting them.