Contracting With Commercial Structural Pest Control Companies

The most frequent concept for control for subterranean termites is to prevent or break the contact between the termite colony and wood. Soil treatments are usually not intended to kill termite colonies. If done properly, soil treatment creates an effective barrier against subterranean termites entering and damaging a structure. For the majority of people, termite control is not a do-it-yourself project due to the lack of the necessary equipment needed to do a thorough job.

Another concept for termite control is to feed the termites a toxicant that will perhaps eliminate the colony or at least significantly reduce the populations of the termite colony. The use of baiting systems requires an understanding of the biology of the termites and periodic monitoring of the baiting systems at appropriate intervals. Again, for most people, this is not a do-it-yourself project.

Before signing a contract with any pest control company, get treatment estimates from several different companies. Ask questions about termites, how they will treat your house, cost of treatment, yearly inspection, types of guarantees etc. After you have narrowed your selection to two or three companies, contact the better business bureau for additional information on the companies. Georgia Dept. of Agriculture.

Your guaranty should be renewable for at least five (5) years, so find out about the Termite Company you hire, it pays to ask the right questions. If you are not happy with them after the treatment, you just might be stuck with them and their guarantee for a long time.

Annual Guarantee Renewal

Once you go through the expense of having your home treated you should have the opportunity to renew your annual guarantee for additional years at a fixed yearly premium rate. If you decide to hang on to your coverage, and you probably should, you need to pay the renewal fee each year on or before your treatment anniversary date. Most termite treatments are guaranteed for a one year period with the option to renew for an additional 4 years or longer.

Bargain For A Good Price

Before you decide to drive a hard bargain on the cost of your termite job remember customers who drive a hard bargain usually get the best prices, but not always the best job. Driving too hard a bargain can be unfair to a Termite Company who in turn may be unfair to the customer by spending less on chemicals and time on the job. Companies that do not earn enough profit can find them selves in trouble. They might be forced to cut corners. The most obvious place to cut cost is to use less than the prescribed amount of chemical resulting in a treatment that does not properly protect the home and the homeowners investment. Some Termite Companies work short handed or lower their treatment standards to accommodate lower skilled technicians. A good bet would be to get a good medium priced Termite Company and ask enough questions until you understand what they are going to do and then check to see if they did it.

Something Wrong With Your Treatment?
If you suspect that the Termite Company you did business with did not do a good job or committed fraud in any way, and they will not give you satisfaction, you may go to my helpful links page and seek out the proper way to proceed to your state's Dept. of Agriculture. They will check the job, no charge, and report any violations to the Termite Company and see that they are corrected.
	If you don't have a trusted Pest Control Company, you should call 3 Companies for comparison bids.
	Most Termite Companies give free inspections with written estimates. I understand that in some areas of the country there are charges, just make sure to ask if there is a charge when you phone them.
	Don't accept a bid written on a business card. You need detailed information on guarantees, treatment procedures, payment plans etc. Later you'll want to sit down and compare apples with apples and oranges with oranges. Not just prices.
	Don't be surprised at how much prices can differ from company to company. Some companies prices are high and offer very little difference in service or guarantee.

When you call a Termite Company out to your home, here is what to expect them to do.
	Make a thorough inspection.
	Make a scale drawing of your home describing what work will be done.
	Give a written price and payment terms for treatment. Explain your guarantee.
	Give a price for the annual renewal fee (to extend your guarantee).
	Answer all of your questions.

Questions You Should Ask
	What will your company do should termites return after treatment?
	If I have a repair guarantee, do I have to pay a deductible?
	All homes don't qualify for REPAIR guarantees, ask if your's does.
	After the initial one year guarantee period, how many extra years can I renew my contract?
	How much will my annual contract renewal cost be?
	When my contract period is over do I have to retreat my house again at my expense? Is there a discount for the next treatment?
	Ask for an insurance certificate. Companies who don't have any insurance are counting on you not asking.
	If your getting a bait treatment, ask how often their inspections will be performed, and the distance apart the stations will be placed.

Can I treat My Own House?

Treating a house for subterranean termites is a job best left to professionals. Special equipment is required and Termiticides are much stronger chemicals than pesticides, and can be a danger to the environment and yourself if handled improperly.

Pick your Termite Company with care, your relationship with them could be a long one; it is almost impossible to get a Termite Company to pick up a guarantee on the other Termite Company's work.

It is a good idea to pick a Termite Company that can afford to back up the guarantee they issue you. Termite Companies are required to carry insurance. It would be a shame to have a claim that your Termite Company could not pay. It happens.

Some prices are high some are low. Each Termite Company charges what they think their services are worth. Some Termite Companies don't charge enough to do the job right and some Termite Companies charge too much. Find a good medium priced local company and check out their reputation.