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The Kitchen Table

Termites = tenting?

17 years ago

Anyone have experience with termites eating their homes?

The termite inspection people recommend tenting our house, which I do NOT want to do. I don't want to pack up all my food, medications, cosmetics, etc. I don't want the expense of a couple nights in a hotel. I don't want my bushes mashed. And most of all, I don't want poison injected into my house.

They can spot treat, but it costs almost as much as tenting and is not as effective.

Anyone else face this dilemma?

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Comments (7)

yborgal
17 years ago
Yes, and we tented. We had to do all of the things you mentioned above. A pain to do, but more thorough than spot treating. Around here...Tampa, FL...it's quite common to see the tents throughout different neighborhoods.
lynn_d
17 years ago
We were not tented, it wasn't even an option. The exterminator drilled into our foundation every foot or so and injected the liquid. It creates a barrior so the termites cannot go back to the hive each night. I guess that might be the difference in living in the north and having full basements?
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yborgal
17 years ago
Lynn, the South has 2 kinds of termites...Subterranean and Dry Wood. We tent for Dry Wood termites and use the drilling/chemical treatment for the Subterranean termites.

Unfortunately, we had both in our last home. It was much cheaper to drill & treat than to tent.
Jamie_MS
17 years ago
I had termites last year and did the drilling/chemical treatment. Tenting wasn't even suggested.
lynn_d
17 years ago
Thanks for that explanation,Mona!
mtnwomanbc
17 years ago
I've been listening to radio ads here in the SF bay area for orange oil termite treatment...maybe they offer it in your area?

Evidently, no tenting, packing up, and it's supposed to be "generally regarded as safe" around children and pets.
curlysue
17 years ago
You are absolutely right Mona. I work for an exterminating compamy. We never tent. We are in Kentucky so the only termites we have are subterranean for now. I don't know what they charge to tent, but a chemical treatment on an average size home in out area is about $1200 to $1500. No treatment is cheap, but as we tell our customers, your house is you single largest investment, you want to protect it.

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