Termite afficionados?
 

I'd like some friendly anti-termite advice. Location is So. Cal.

Recent inspections discovered dry wood termites in a couple areas of the home.

However, there were also a couple of places indicating subterranean termites. These are more voracious eaters and harder (more expensive) to eradicate or control.

The primary area is under a bathroom vanity. 6 or 7 mud access tubes discovered. Since access is difficult, one estimate suggested drilling and injecting just outside the bathroom (exterior, next to foundation). They also suggested tenting the house.

The other estimate suggested pulling the vanity, then drilling and injecting directly into the mud tube axis. In addition, they want to drill and inject around the entire perimeter with non-repellent chemicals, treat the dry wood areas with "orange foam" and no tenting.

What do those with termite experience suggest? I'd like to hear from the non-biased points of view. Cost is about the same for both, $3000 vs $2700, respectively. Too high, just right or too low (ha)?

Thanks,
Sherwood

Price is about right; but they should guarantee the work for a period of 5 years and the treatments should be effective for 25 years. The guarantee should be in writing.

As for the method, I would make sure a perimeter/entire house job was done for that price and I know you have to vacate for a few days.

Interesting how the most efficient chemicals (for termites, etc. ) end up on banned lists.

When we built our home in 1987-88 the local "termite guy" was a man in his late 60's that had been in the pest control business for about 40 years. He came to spray our foundation (before the slab was poured). Mentioned the BEST product for termite protection was Cloridane (sp?). But said it was recently banned? He had about a 30 gallon container left and asked if I wanted it. "Yes."

I guess I got the last of it in this region.

No idea what replaced it.

Chlorodane was great stuff. My Dad used to buy it at the hardware store and spray it himself. No termite/bug problems ever.

Get the good stuff from Mexico.....

The seem to always swarm around our house with the Santa Ana's, we just had out house treated with bromide and we've had a few sub subterranean spots as well.

Termites are expensive - that's the most useful information I have I think.

mugwump..

I thought this thread was going to be about eating bugs.

"Chlorodane was great stuff. "

Great carcinogen too. This guy I knew said he once sprayed his garage with this stuff to kill spiders. He never saw another bug in his garage..... ever.

I believe scientists discovered that chlordane, once used as a fumigant for termites, migrates from below ground to above ground after a few years. That end up inthe interior of most homes.

Sherwood