Need some advice guys...

[paydepst]

Just thought I would throw this out there and see what some of the other folk in the forum are doing. The wife and I noticed termites on a fence that separates our driveway from the one next to us today. After calling the exterminator to let them know about it (we are under contract to Orkin), they quickly told me that it might not be covered. I thought this was odd as I was under the impression our contract covered the house, outbuildings, etc. Our contract with our previous exterminator did at our old house. In getting the contract out I noticed that it said it was a "retreatment only" contract and they do not repair damage even if it occurs after their treatment! I can't believe I didn't notice this before. My question is what am I paying these people for? Covering repairs is a vital part of the bond as far as I am concerned. Couple that with the fact that I have had no end of trouble getting these people out to do their annual inspections the past two years. I'm not sure I trust them and I'm not sure I wouldn't be better off essaying the treatment myself using one of the bait/monitor systems on the market. I'm planning on getting a spray (Termite Prufe) for the ones on the fence and killing them myself as I'm almost certain it isn't going to be covered--not without a huge bill anyway.

Put succintly, I haven't been happy with these people and now that feeling has increased tenfold. I would just switch but termite prevention /eradication is one of the costliest rackets going out there apparently with everyone wanting a huge amount of money upfront and promising to do precious little in the way of support. Has it always been this way?

Thoughts please?

 

[SRock]

I had a friend of the family that had a similar issue. They lived on a family property previously owned for years. Along the way the discovered that one of their barns overlapped public land by a few inches. This was never an issue to the state, but when the discovered termites they were denied service because they "could have been infested from the neighboring property".

I wouldn't trust them and if you can handle the fence on your own, go for it.

 

[tsmba]

I watched my folks use Orkin for years. They didn't have termites (thank God!) but they did get carpenter ants.
At the time, Orkin offered a treatment guarantee that if you paid for their carpenter ant service, you have a lifetime coverage against recurrence, as long as you continued with the regular monthly contract.
Over the years, many of those guarantees disappeared. I'm sure arguments could be made about contracts, etc. My point is that, over time, they offered less service (for higher costs) and did away with some of their old promises. Newer "execs" act as though they've never heard of those old guarantees.
As an observer over a period of years, I've been unimpressed!

 

[Gruder]

Seems like I read somewhere that it's far more cost effective to buy the outdoor sentries/bait yourself and have good piece of mind. I've no personal experience in the matter, though. Good luck!

 

[BD1970]

I watched my folks use Orkin for years. They didn't have termites (thank God!) but they did get carpenter ants.
At the time, Orkin offered a treatment guarantee that if you paid for their carpenter ant service, you have a lifetime coverage against recurrence, as long as you continued with the regular monthly contract.
Over the years, many of those guarantees disappeared. I'm sure arguments could be made about contracts, etc. My point is that, over time, they offered less service (for higher costs) and did away with some of their old promises. Newer "execs" act as though they've never heard of those old guarantees.
As an observer over a period of years, I've been unimpressed!

I'll agree with this. These lifetime guarantees on termite damage are about useful as prepaid burial insurance policies are for teenagers.

 

[Monkeydad]

If the damage is extensive enough, I'd look into the homeowner's insurance policy to see if it is covered.

Do not make an inquiry unless you intend to file a claim though, some companies count asking a question as a "mark" against you and can lead to raising your rates in the future.

 

[Thebigspendur]

In general when you have an exterminator come over and have a contract its for general type stuff. termites are usually an exception.

If you have a termite infestation its a big job to get rid of them. years ago when I was a kid we had that problem and as I recall the came out and drilled holes on the foundation and filled the holes with whatever killer they used at the time. Once they are in the structure of the house normal remedies won't work.

 

[paydepst]

Well once again Orkin was scheduled to come by and look at my fence and once again they failed to show without so much as having the courtesy to call and let me know they weren't coming.

The termites are in my untreated fence. I sprayed them with some stuff I bought the other day so I'm hoping I will be all right there/ My main problem is getting Orkin to honour their annual inspections and keep appointments. I'm through with them and I wholeheartedly recommend everyone avoid them like the plague!

Anyone have any recommendations as to what to look for in a GOOD exterminator?