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Make sure the company offers a guarantee , understand the terms and conditions and how long the guarantee is offered.
A good reputation in the market is a good indicator of good service. Check your local Better Business Bureau or Department of Agriculture, to see if complaints have been filed against the company you have in mind.
Verify that the firm you select is a member of your state pest control association and the National Pest Control Association. Membership in the National, and state or local pest control associations is a good indicator that the company has access to modern technical information. In the area of termite control, their commitment to further education is important, particularly with the newer baits and baiting techniques on the market.
It is important to request the plan of work revealing sites of termite activity and treatment procedures. Ask for written information on chemical treatment procedures, bait station placements, repair of wood work, warranties, and copies of insecticide labels.
Compare bids before making decisions. Ask about liability insurance.
Follow-up inspections should be included in any termite treatments. Extermination contract should include annual or semi-annual inspections to verify that a treated home is not reinfested.
Many people think that a annual contract means that the pest control company re-treats your house every year. But this is not the case, unless there is evidence of termite activity in the house, annual treatments are illegal under both state and federal law.
The pest control company provides an annual termite inspection of your home in the annual contract. If you or the company find evidence of termite activity,(and you are under contract) then the company is liable for termite treatments.
In most cases, the termite treatment on your house carries a one-year guarantee from the pest control company. After the year ends, and the contract is up for renewal..it is always a question of a need to renew the contract or not.
The cost of a renewal is typically between $75 - $200, depending on the size and construction of the house.
This question is largely a matter of preference.
1.If you are planning to sell your home within a couple of years, a contract would be advisable. It will include a clearance letter for mortgage companies in the event of a sale. If termites are discovered at this time of nspection, the pest control company is liable for termite treatments. You do want to consider whether the pest control company will allow their contract to be transferred to a new homeowner or does it terminate the contract.
2.If you are not selling your home in a few years and you feel comfortable doing Home inspections, you wouldn't need the annual contract. However, upon finding evidences of termites, you would need to either do your own termite treatment or look for a termite service company at this point.
Termites are always around us, but that fact does not mean they are constantly attacking your house. It simply means that there is always a chance that termites could find their way into the house. A good monitoring tool is putting out Termite baiting System. Modern termiticides remain active in the soil for at least five years, but this is not a guarantee that termites will not invade your house.
A number of factors, including disturbance of the treated soil, can affect the chemical barrier and allow termites opportunities to enter.
If your house is infested when you have it treated, then you should assume that there could be hidden damage nearby. Make sure you maintain records and graphs of all annual inspections and any new signs of termite activity.
