SPIKER
Elite Member
slowrev said:
I had forgotten about that, used it in high school when brazing on cars...
DIY Termite Prevention
- Thread starter N80
- Start date
- Views: 16556
I had forgotten about that, used it in high school when brazing on cars...
dooleysm
Platinum Member
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?
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?
forgeblast
Elite Member
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.
dooleysm
Platinum Member
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.
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.
dmccarty
Super Star Member
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. 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.
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. At least I know they are not termites since I would see the termite tunnels. :thumbsup:
Later,
Dan
blueriver
Super Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2007
- Messages
- 5,012
- Location
- S.E.Oklahoma
- Tractor
- JD 5520 Montana 4340 Farmall Super A Montana 5720C
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.
No signs of termites, spiders, ants and it slowed down the dreaded Red Wasp.
dodge man
Super Star Member
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.
LostInTheWoods
Platinum Member
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.
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.
clemsonfor
Super Member
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.
DaveOmak
Platinum Member
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.
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.
forgeblast
Elite Member
also in the biffin family is talstar. I use the granualar to spread around the house in the spring to keep the ants out. makes a nice barrer.
clemsonfor
Super Member
dooleysm
Platinum Member
I researched getting a private applicator's license. $32 for the study materials and they give the test free throughout the year at different locations around the state. One is in my county in March 2011. Pass that test and send the state $20 and you'll get your license.
And just by coincidence, the termite company we talked to a few weeks ago called me back today offering a lower rate. I didn't catch all of what he was offering over the phone, so he's supposed to come out tomorrow to give me his new pitch. Initially it was $1100 for a termite treatment promising to last for 15 years, and $320/year for quarterly treatments for other pests (no idea what that includes). I think his new offer was $1000 for the termite and 4 pest treatments.
And just by coincidence, the termite company we talked to a few weeks ago called me back today offering a lower rate. I didn't catch all of what he was offering over the phone, so he's supposed to come out tomorrow to give me his new pitch. Initially it was $1100 for a termite treatment promising to last for 15 years, and $320/year for quarterly treatments for other pests (no idea what that includes). I think his new offer was $1000 for the termite and 4 pest treatments.
dooleysm
Platinum Member
I met with the termite guy last night. His new offer was in fact a $1000 flat fee for the first year. That includes the termite treatment (with Termidor) and 4 'pest' treatments, which supposedly cover ants, spiders, flys, ticks, fleas, mice, roaches...everything. Follow on termite 'insurance'/inspection once a year for $75. Guaranteed lifetime rate of $200/year for the quarterly pest treatments.
I think we're going to pull the trigger on this. I fight ants every spring, we're constantly fighting mice, and flys are outrageous at our house. We have a few turkey houses neighboring our property and we keep about 30 chickens, which I think are the sources of our fly problems.
I think we're going to pull the trigger on this. I fight ants every spring, we're constantly fighting mice, and flys are outrageous at our house. We have a few turkey houses neighboring our property and we keep about 30 chickens, which I think are the sources of our fly problems.
jonyyuma
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2010
- Messages
- 2,922
- Location
- 35 miles North of Memphis,TN
- Tractor
- kubota L3000dt, ford 8n1952
Hi, I just bought the Fly jar trap at TSC this year. It has worked great for 5 bucks.. If you run out of the stinking bait, it is potent...You can put in a small piece of meat, when it rots they love it and drown. Just have the wind to your back when you dump the jar.Gets some yellow jackets too. I am amazed at how many it collects..Jy.
Has anyone recommended any product that has Permethrin as an active ingredient yet?
Permethrin acts as an insecticidal barrier against a broad range of insects such as ants, bees, fleas, aphids, beetles, ticks, roaches, and chiggers. Also used to control and prevent subterranean termite infestations in and around structures. I like use "Tengard SFR Termiticide" because of its multi-function utility.
Here's where I got mine:Tengard SFR One-Shot Termiticide, Tengard Insecticide - Free Shipping
Permethrin acts as an insecticidal barrier against a broad range of insects such as ants, bees, fleas, aphids, beetles, ticks, roaches, and chiggers. Also used to control and prevent subterranean termite infestations in and around structures. I like use "Tengard SFR Termiticide" because of its multi-function utility.
Here's where I got mine:Tengard SFR One-Shot Termiticide, Tengard Insecticide - Free Shipping
clemsonfor
Super Member
I smell and advertisement? First post and its on a 2 year old one, and there is a link???
newbury
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
- Messages
- 14,845
- Location
- From Vt, in Va, retiring to MS
- Tractor
- Kubota's - B7610, M4700
Reviving an aging but good thread
Well coincidentally I'm researching Permethri and other chemicals for termite and tick control (my two main pests). I've used Permethri very successfully against ticks but am looking to get something to put down outside the perimeters of my shops.
Although they are metal skinned there is a lot of wood in them there walls. I had been using roach powder but I'm thinking I need to step up the poison for termites, especially since I'm starting to store trees and lumber I cut in a couple of them.
Has anyone tried Dominion 2l, Professional Termite Control? Amazon.com : Dominion 2l, Professional Termite Control, termidor, termiticide Concentrate : Termite Killer : Patio, Lawn & Garden.
/edit - also - is it necessary to trench around the structures or just saturate the ground?
Well coincidentally I'm researching Permethri and other chemicals for termite and tick control (my two main pests). I've used Permethri very successfully against ticks but am looking to get something to put down outside the perimeters of my shops.
Although they are metal skinned there is a lot of wood in them there walls. I had been using roach powder but I'm thinking I need to step up the poison for termites, especially since I'm starting to store trees and lumber I cut in a couple of them.
Has anyone tried Dominion 2l, Professional Termite Control? Amazon.com : Dominion 2l, Professional Termite Control, termidor, termiticide Concentrate : Termite Killer : Patio, Lawn & Garden.
/edit - also - is it necessary to trench around the structures or just saturate the ground?
Last edited:
Kopierguy
Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2013
- Messages
- 29
- Location
- Lake Conroe, TX
- Tractor
- Ford 1710, Kubota L245, Kubota G1900
My daughter had her home treated for termites 5 years ago. It was professionally done. They dug a 4" trench all the way around her home and in the areas that had concrete, they drilled holes every 2 feet and used Termidor to treat the entire perimeter. They put the dirt back in the trenches and saturated it with the Termidor. They used sand grout to fill the drilled holes in the concrete. Again, that was done 5 years ago and she has not seen a roach, ant, spider or termite trail since then. I think Termidor can be purchased from companies that sell insecticides but when I checked, it was somewhat expensive but seems to be a good product.
LostInTheWoods
Platinum Member
Interesting to see this thread brought back from hibernation.
I'm still using the Bifen I/T I started using nearly 4 years ago and I am still very, very happy with the results. We spray once a month March - November and have practically zero insect problems. (We have an occasional fly get inside, but the cat finds them particularly tasty, so they don't last long). When we were having the monthly professional service at $30/month we still had issues with ants and spiders. With the Bifen I/T, we have had zero ants and we have seen two spiders in four years. We also used to have wasps that liked to build nests under the deck and behind gutters...but not since I started using Bifen. I don't go crazy with it; I just use it exactly as the instructions say. At roughly $10-15/year, its a no-brainer.
I'm still using the Bifen I/T I started using nearly 4 years ago and I am still very, very happy with the results. We spray once a month March - November and have practically zero insect problems. (We have an occasional fly get inside, but the cat finds them particularly tasty, so they don't last long). When we were having the monthly professional service at $30/month we still had issues with ants and spiders. With the Bifen I/T, we have had zero ants and we have seen two spiders in four years. We also used to have wasps that liked to build nests under the deck and behind gutters...but not since I started using Bifen. I don't go crazy with it; I just use it exactly as the instructions say. At roughly $10-15/year, its a no-brainer.
