Termites

» TERMITE TRAP
by Tom Philbin
(reprinted from Readers Digest - March 2007)

» THE RIP-OFF
Myths about termites abound. In a recent survey by the University of Kentucky, 60 percent of people thought termites could take a house down in six months or less. Nothing could be further from the truth, yet con artists use this fear to pressure homeowners into quickly signing on the dotted line for unnnecessary or shoddy work that could cost up to $3,000.

» THE REALITY
By arming yourself with a few facts, you'll be able to ask informed questions and avoid a scam.

The most common termite in the United States is the subterranean, of which there are two main kinds: workers and swarmers, or winged termites. The workers hollow out the wood, while swarmers mate and create new colonies. Termites live underground and burrow through soil until they find wood or woodlike products, and water. To get into your house they'll often build moist, earthen tunnels across foundations to your home's lower frames, a clear sign of infestation.

Wood that's been damaged by termites is hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries. Be wary of exterminators showing you termites on wood piles or fences unconnected to your house: This may be a scam. You have a problem only if there's evidence of termites inside the house or close to the foundation.

Bugs flying in the home during the spring are another sign of infestation. These may be flying ants, however. Termites have a full waist, straight antennae and wings of equal length; ants have elbowed antennae, pinched waists and forewings longer than hindwings (see illustration).

There are more than 17,000 pest control companies in the United States, but bigger doesn't always mean better. You want a firm with recommendations, lots of experience and a fair price. Question the company carefully and ask that it send an experienced technician, says Michael Porter, a professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky. And if an exterminatior claims you have termites, he should show you the evidence.

Some companies charge thousands for a typical job that could be done for less than $1,000, so take notes on the exact kind of treatment and compare apples and apples when getting estimates. See at least two or three companies before hiring one.

And don't skip the guarantee. Pest control firms offer two types: "re-treatment," meaning the company will re-treat any area where termites show up again, and "repair," meaning it'll fix any damage caused by the pests. Such agreements tend to be complex and may be limited in coverage; read carefully before you sign. In either case, buy the guarantee that lasts at least five years. The relatively small annual fee (usually 10 percent of the original price) is well worth it. Even if the initial treatment was successful, termites could still be back within a year.