A - Wrong. Unlike the termite’s distant cousin, the cockroach, the termite does not care how you keep your house. They just want to eat your house.

2. How often should I call for a termite inspection?

A - I tell my customers to call about every 2-4 years. Houses do not change that much over a short period of time. However, termites can swarm and attack the house. This time period gives them time to establish themselves so the infestation can be visible.

3. When is the best time of year to fumigate my house?

A - When the threat of rain and w ind is over. I get the most anxious when we have a fumigation set up and it is raining or the wind is blowing hard. I know that the home owners have a lot of preparation to do for the fumigation. It is an inconvenience to the home owner when we postpone a fumigation. However, to put my workers on the roof is dangerous. Do I risk injury to my workers and myself just for the convenience to the home owner? The worry, the worry.

4. Are the chemicals that you use safe?

A - All chemicals used by professional pest control operators have been tested for toxicity prior to EPA approval. All chemicals applied in the soil or wood are completely safe if used according to the label. Of course, all chemicals are harmful if in the wrong hands.

Customers do not want to fumigate because of the dangerous fumigant. I do chuckle because with local treatments for drywood termites, the chemical is still in the wood after treatment - albeit safely. With fumigation, the gas fumigant has dissipated and is completely not in the house a few days after the fumigation. So which is safer?

5. Do you charge for a termite inspection?

A - Now you are pushing one of my buttons. I know that there are “free” termite inspections out there. But I pride myself in fair, honest and no pressure sales pitches after my inspections. I will write a report with my findings and recommendation s. There is no obligation. I do have to crawl in the sometimes damp or dusty crawl spaces, in the hot attics, and “dirty” bathrooms all with a smile (?). Would you want someone who has already lost money as soon as they take the first step into your house? We do offer, however, a free identification - to look at one area only or to look at your pest evidence at no charge.

The fees for inspection start at $150.00 and go up from there depending on the square footage of the house. We do offer a $25.00 discount on all inspection fees paid at the time of the inspection.