Treating/Maintaining Termites

Without breaking the budget, whats the best way to manage them?

about 2 years ago, our tenant reported termites, we sent in an inspector to do a treatment,

2 years later, theyre back,

weve been quoted all sorts of services from barriers to bait etc. etc.

happy to pay for a service, but dont want to get ripped off,
got the usual upfront expensive service quotes with 12 month followup services

 

I had a similar situation. We were quoted roughly $600 to exterminate, or $2,000 for a full barrier, which included extermination. I doubt there's really a huge amount of difference in the work between the two services..... but it is what it is.

We went ahead with the cheap option, the house will be a development site in the next 5 years so trying to keep costs down.
Anyway, a year later we found obvious evidence of termites still chewing up the house, so we made a complaint to the pest controller. Sure, the $600 didn't come with any warranty- but we argued they were never eradicated. Ended up getting a $600 discount on a full barrier. That's warranted for peace of mind.

Hate to say it, but as far as termite barriers are concerned- the only way to get peace of mind is to be ripped off. Pay for a full barrier (circa-$2200) and get the annual checks done (Circa-$240 p.a.).

 

Barrier and annual checks. Usually about $1650 here, depending on the size of the house.

Lots of people cheap out on it then wonder why they don't get results. Same as everything i guess.

 

Perth - I had termites go up the laundry/kitchen door frame. They were in the Jarrah roof frame on inspection.

It’s a pretty average home. Got two quotes $4000, and $900.

Chose the $900 quote which involved drilling in the tiles of bathroom and laundry and 5 yrs of callback if they came back. Had one more infestation from front patio he retreated. No problems since. Been about 5yrs.

Usually there is a water leak - in this case it was HWS. Get a leak detector to check property.

Also had two other termite attacks on other properties - rusted down pipe leak, bath waste leak.

Apparently fireplaces and wet spaces can be a hot spot for termite entry.

Add- apperently also chemicals used round 1965 will now be broken down and homes need new barrier.

 

They may not have been the same termites. There can often be several nests in the vicinity but not all will necessarily be eating your house. At the time of the extermination, the initial nest may have been killed. But at any time termites from another nest can discover your house.

That’s why regular inspections are important.

 

That sounds pretty cheap for peace of mind. Compared to the alternative.