DIY Termite Prevention

   / DIY Termite Prevention #22  
We've recently been considering treating our home for termites, and got our first quote last night...$1086 for the initial treatment and $75/year for follow-on treatments/protection/guarantee. A bit steep for my tastes. I came across this older thread and wondered if anyone had any more information to add.

George, what, if any, solution did you go with? Have you been happy with your choice? How expensive are the chemicals to treat an average sized house? Maybe it makes sense to bite the bullet and pay the professional?
 
   / DIY Termite Prevention #23  
do you have termites now or is it to keep them away. We just had a family member sell a house that had previous signs of termite damage but no active colonies. they had to spray and then saturate the ground around the damage to make sure there were no active colonies. A good sprayable product is biffin it. Check out do you own pest control dot net or com cant remember.
 
   / DIY Termite Prevention #24  
We don't currently have termites. We built the house ourselves 6 years ago. It's got an ICF basement and then stick framed from there up, 1.5 stories (top floor is only over half the house, 2 bedrooms and a bath). We just recently got to thinking that maybe we need to protect ourselves from termites.

Every spring we get over run with ants, which I fight off very effectively with 5% Sevin dust. I follow the trail of ants and put a little pile of dust right where they come in. They start coming in another hole a day or two later. After I get 5 or 6 piles they either give up or die. Either way, that ends that.

The ants are a nuisance, a termite infestation would be a much bigger deal. I doubt I could fight them off with my Sevin dust piles.
 
   / DIY Termite Prevention #25  
We don't currently have termites. We built the house ourselves 6 years ago. It's got an ICF basement and then stick framed from there up, 1.5 stories (top floor is only over half the house, 2 bedrooms and a bath). We just recently got to thinking that maybe we need to protect ourselves from termites.

Not sure how big of a deal this really is but one of the "problems" with ICFs is termites. Not that the termites eat foam or concrete :) but that the wee little buggers can tunnel through the foam to go up to the wall into the roof structure of the house. :eek:

Some of the ICF makers started making their foam with bug killer. Not sure how they did that though.

We too get problems with ants. :mad: I need to go spray around the house. Our wall is 2x6 with OSB, drywall, 1 inch foam board with seams taped, and brick. I foamed any space between the sill plate and the foundation. Those ants are still getting in. I assume the are getting in the brick weep holes and then getting past the wall structure. :mad:

At least I know they are not termites since I would see the termite tunnels. :thumbsup::D

Later,
Dan
 
   / DIY Termite Prevention #26  
I had the home professionally done once at a big cost. I studied the spray set up, the chemicals, the application process and I now use the Bifen XTS and the 3 point tractor sprayer.

No signs of termites, spiders, ants and it slowed down the dreaded Red Wasp.
 
   / DIY Termite Prevention #27  
I had mine done by the experts where the drilled and sprayed. They also put out bait traps. For something like $100 a year they were suppose to check the traps, but I couldn't see that they did, so I stopped that. You can buy your own bait traps and do it your self, but I suppose the experts know what to look for and see if you have any activity.
 
   / DIY Termite Prevention #28  
After reading a lot of positive reviews, I started to use Bifen I/T around the house using a hand sprayer 1 month ago. While its still early, I am very pleased so far.

Previously, we had been paying a local pest control company $30/month for treatment. For the cost of two month's treatment, I bought enough Bifen to last over a year and a hand sprayer. And quite frankly, after watching the pest control guys, I feel like I do a better job.

We still have the "bait stations" that the company monitors for termites...living in the middle of the woods, I'm too chicken to rely completely on the Bifen to keep the termites away. But we haven't seen a single insect in the house since that first application.
 
   / DIY Termite Prevention #29  
good infor on bifen. i thought termadore, what the pros use is what you want it will last 10 to 20 years. Nut in SC u must have a license to buy it. I got a buddy that can get it till i get my license this spring.
 
   / DIY Termite Prevention #30  
See your local dept of Ag and get a private applictor license for pesticides. I got mine 5 years ago and save $300 + a year on insect control. There are several chemicals you can purchase to control insects.
I use bifenthrin. good for fleas, ticks, termites etc. Costs me about $4 per application.
Well worth the time and money to get your pesticide license.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

(1) 12ft Tarter Gate (A51573)
(1) 12ft Tarter...
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 Crew Cab Pickup Truck (A50323)
2016 Chevrolet...
UNVERFERTH 330 - 19-INCH EXTENSION KIT FOR RIP-STRIP TOOLBAR PART # 63186G (A52748)
UNVERFERTH 330 -...
LED Peterbilt Sign (A50324)
LED Peterbilt Sign...
2017 Ford Fusion Sedan (A50324)
2017 Ford Fusion...
2013 PETERBILT 386 TANDEM AXLE SLEEPER TRUCK (A52576)
2013 PETERBILT 386...
 
Top