Found signs of termites on 1 of our beams - recommendations?

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4ffae5f82e248-.jpg

Hello, can someone recommend someone to treat and help prevent future termites?  The house is in South Slope.  What should I ask the exterminators?  How much does treatment cost?  What kind of gurantee should they offer?
Thank you.

guikazoid

in Exterminator 12 years and 10 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

concernedcitizenofgowanus | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4939 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4928 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178918"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(25) "concernedcitizenofgowanus"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BHjp/L9bJf57j4ouBO4Y/wdSytXVku/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(25) "concernedcitizenofgowanus"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "gowanusmay@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(40) "/forums/users/concernedcitizenofgowanus/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:37:06"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(25) "concernedcitizenofgowanus"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178918)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Empire came to my house and all he did was push some contractor on me. He said his work would be cheap but the amount of money I would spend on a contractor would be the expensive part. He didn’t even walk around or knock on a piece of wood or anything. He looked at it, said “contractor” and walked away.  Kingsway guy was very nice and thorough. Explained the subterranean route and took the time to educate me on the issue. Felt very comfortable with him. He is charging $1,500 which comes with a 2 year warantee and then I can continue service yearly for $195.  Had Pest Control come in. Said for $850 he can treat the wood internally. I’m getting a few more people in until Friday, when I make the decision.

FishieFishie | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4938 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4937 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "6738"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "FishieFishie"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BCYjPuENea9aEoDZhYkb9yfEFTV.P20"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "fishiefishie"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "fishietoss86@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "/forums/users/fishiefishie/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:18:44"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "FishieFishie"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6738)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I haven’t had to dela with termiites in NYC (thank god), but I have elsewhere.  So I can’t recommend specific exterminators, but I want to urge it you to treat it with the utmost seriousness.  Have at least four companies in, and don’t choose on the basis of price.  Learn as much as you can.  Ask specifically not only what they do, but also what chemicals they use. If the situation is like mine, I’d avoid anything trendy like bait stations. I believe that Termidor is still considered the best.  Also investigate Boracare for treating the wood.

Bond | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4934 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4940 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "10545"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "Bond"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bp3RFao3u7M5Jg6R5xu1G6CW6fjBM6/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "bond"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(13) "BDW13@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/bond/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:14:46"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "Bond"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(10545)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It’s hard to tell for sure where that tunnel is stretching to, but it it’s the ground, then you probably have a gound infestation and soil treatment alone will work.  If it’s stretching from one beam to another, you could have a beam infestation and then soil perimeter treatment alone won’t work.  If you have a beam infestation, then you have another problem in that they will only colonize a beam that stays damp, they need the moisture. Also, to avoid dehydration and predators, they don’t like going out in the open, so often a beam that looks sound can be completely eaten away inside.  Take a sharp awl or knife and start stabbing beams trying to ascertain the extent of the damage.  Whatever exterminator you get should be able to figure out where the moisture source is and that will determine treatment.  The colony won’t be far from a moisture supply.

nyflicka | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4939 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4941 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1421"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "nyflicka"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B2YjJ8zWFyg.7pxXkts90LaQjtpIaK."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "nyflicka"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "nyflicka1@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(18) "/forums/users/mmm/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "nyflicka"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1421)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Just adding my 2 cents but we have used Kingsway in the past and were very happy with them. But we never had termites it was just for inspections & “check-ups”. Good luck.

widthom | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4938 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4942 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "47157"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "widthom"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BxKuRAx4mycAlIxJ1WhBzIaCtWQ4971"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "widthom"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "widthom@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(40) "http://theresacityinmymind.blogspot.com/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:16:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "Cipster"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(47157)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I literally just went through this with the main beam in my basement. (Also South Slope.)  Like me, you have subterranean termites and those are the mud tubes they use to travel. I got estimates from Empire, Essential and Kingsway.  Three very different prices.  All suggested outside treatment (drill and pump) and treating the actual beams.  Some suggested drill and pump in the cellar as well.  Different companies offer different warrantees – 1 year or 2 year so be sure to ask.  Try to get your neighbors on board as well – to eliminate entry from the sides.  Good luck.