Anybody ever have termites?

[zanne]

We bought this house and we're in the process of renovating it. It's the family home, so it's old. Anyway, while we were having new windows installed, the window guy called us over and pointed to some rotten wood, then he said the terrible "T" word; Termites! And there they were; I'd never seen any before.
Now, here's the important part of my question. What the hell do you do about them? Can an exterminator really get rid of them, and how do they do it? Is the insecticide dangerous to pets? Do they tent the house? How much does it cost? I'm really trying to find out about it from people who've experienced it rather than from an exterminator, who's likely to give me alot of BS. Please help!

[Haole Girl]

1. In Southern California our little apartment had them...

...my roommate at the time told the Landlord and they put a tent over our whole complex. I moved out for 2 days while it was fumigated. I think it got rid of them, too, since we never saw any more "shavings" on the window sills. Good luck! :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. We have had them..........

I don't know your location, but...

If the infestation is very extensive, you will need to tent the house. It will kill them all, and anything else unfortunate enough to be caught there.

They can be spot treated if the infestation isn't too extensive.

I don't remember how much it cost to tent our house, but it wasn't cheap. However, it does work, and for quite a few years, as well...

I'm sure you will have lots of answers!

Good luck!

BTW, didn't you need a termite inspection before buying? We do, in California.....

:hi:

[zanne]

4. No termite inspections here.

It seems we had about a million inspectors coming in here and it took a hell of a long time to get everything that needed fixing fixed, but no termite inspector. We even had a guy who said we had to put little magnets on the insides of our kitchen cabinets, but no termite inspection. Dumb, huh?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. That is too bad!

Next time (if there is one!), you'll know.......... :hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

8. Bad termite infestations are rare where you are compared to CA

That and politics explains the difference in protocols I think.
However, I have friends in Southern NH who have had minor termite problems in wooded areas near streams (I know, that sounds like most of the state. :D )

[ohiosmith]

3. Had them in So. Cal. Liquid nitrogen was pumped into the affected areas

in the walls. Completed eradicated them.

[pitohui]

10. same deal here in south louisiana

it's been a decade in the same house since the treatment, and the termite dude comes out every year and looks for more, but so far so good

i've had my house blown open twice by storms since then, so i would know if i had any dry-rotted or termite-infested boards!

[City Lights]

6. Call an exterminator that specializes in termites.

We had them frequently when I lived in AZ. Our house was under warranty, so we didn't have to pay anything. The exterminator locates the trails, drills holes in the foundation accordingly (for us the drilling was outside or in the garage) and sprays the chemicals into the holes. Then the holes are filled back up and those termites die. The exterminator told us to get rid of any cardboard in the house or garage. The termites in AZ apparently like cardboard. He recommended storing everything in plastic tubs. Good luck. :hi:

[petronius]

7. We have them in our apartment - they come swarming out for 2-3 weeks

at the end of the summer and we see the shavings, but the landlord doesn't care so we don't either. We'll be long gone before the place falls down...

[Orsino]

9. A legacy of some idiots...

...who turned their two-car garage into what is now my living room. They broke the termite barrier, and so for years a large part of my floor was turning to cardboard.