Termite Trenching

[AustinTink]

We’re having a termite trench dug around the perimeter of our home to fend off termites. The company tells us we don’t have to worry about prepping anything on the inside of the home and we can stay in the house during the treatment. I’m not sure I believe that. Has anyone has this type of treatment done and were you home during the process? The chemical they are using is Termidor.

 

[mjkacmom]

We’re having a termite trench dug around the perimeter of our home to fend off termites. The company tells us we don’t have to worry about prepping anything on the inside of the home and we can stay in the house during the treatment. I’m not sure I believe that. Has anyone has this type of treatment done and were you home during the process? The chemical they are using is Termidor.

I don’t know what we had done is called, but there are underground bait traps surrounding the house.

 

[AustinTink]

I don’t know what we had done is called, but there are underground bait traps surrounding the house.

The treatment we are doing, involves digging a trench around the entire perimeter of the house, and sinking the chemicals. It’s different than the traps.

 

[kdonnel]

We have had the perimeter treated but not with a trench. They drilled holes every 6 inches and sprayed through the holes.

There was no problem being in the home during the treatment.

 

[tvguy]

We have had the perimeter treated but not with a trench. They drilled holes every 6 inches and sprayed through the holes.

There was no problem being in the home during the treatment.

Same here. Never heard of trenching. Just drilling holes to apply pesticide, or tenting. A neighbor had their house tented because the majority of their termites were actually inside the wood, not just chewing on the outside.

 

[AustinTink]

We have had the perimeter treated but not with a trench. They drilled holes every 6 inches and sprayed through the holes.

There was no problem being in the home during the treatment.

Drilled holes in your foundation? They are not doing that. They are drilling some holes in our patio where it butts up to the foundation. But that’s it.

Otherwise, they dig a trench around the home and flood it with the pesticide. Apparently, it’s a very common procedure around here. It doesn’t require drilling except for the patio in our case.

 

[AustinTink]

Same here. Never heard of trenching. Just drilling holes to apply pesticide, or tenting. A neighbor had their house tented because the majority of their termites were actually inside the wood, not just chewing on the outside.

Trench and flood. Apparently it’s common around here. Many neighbors have had it done in our subdivision.

 

[LSUmiss]

The treatment we are doing, involves digging a trench around the entire perimeter of the house, and sinking the chemicals. It’s different than the traps.

We had that in our old house & were told we could be in the house. Think we just had to watch pets & kids around it til dry or whatever.

 

[AustinTink]

We had that in our old house & were told we could be in the house. Think we just had to watch pets & kids around it til dry or whatever.

Thanks! That’s great to hear.

 

[amcnj]

Drilled holes in your foundation? They are not doing that. They are drilling some holes in our patio where it butts up to the foundation. But that’s it.

Otherwise, they dig a trench around the home and flood it with the pesticide. Apparently, it’s a very common procedure around here. It doesn’t require drilling except for the patio in our case.

I assume they are drilling the holes in the ground along the perimeter of the foundation. Similar idea to the trench, but not as much digging.

 

[MimitoAlex]

Same here. Never heard of trenching. Just drilling holes to apply pesticide, or tenting. A neighbor had their house tented because the majority of their termites were actually inside the wood, not just chewing on the outside.

There are several types of termites most commonly found are 2 types found here in the US. Depending on where you live some areas only have one type the weather has everything to do with it, plus they really like damp areas. Here in the south we have Dry-woods and Subs, there have been areas that have Formosan as well.

There are many ways to treat. Do your homework, What type of contract did you sign.. one that includes repairs? or just re-treatment ? Should an inspection be done yearly? is there an annual renewal to keep said contract valid?

I will say this make sure that the company you have been with, has been around a while, and is licensed, not just a business license, but the techs that do the work are licensed and certified plus there is a certified operator at the company. Pest control companies have a ton of rules and regulations that must be followed, This industry has a lot of federal and state mandates, and are governed by, along with laws, that must be adhere to. the only other industry that has higher standards are Long term care facilities, Protect yourself. Your home is that largest investment and purchase most people make. You don't want to trust your home to a fly by night company, or just go with a cheaper price.


1) Drywoods which is the type that they use a tent to treat.
2) Subterranean termites live under ground and forage for wood, they are the ones that build the kinda tunnels that you can see something going up the side of the wall, they like a damp area.
There is a 3rd) - termites which is a Formosan( they have been found here in the US) they are like a super termites they can consume wood very rapidly, and can do alot of damage in a very short amount of time.

While they are trenching and treating, you will want some type of bait station place in the yard, so that they whatever company you are using, can normally check quarterly to make sure what is going on.

I worked for a pest control company.

 

[kdonnel]

Drilled holes in your foundation? They are not doing that. They are drilling some holes in our patio where it butts up to the foundation. But that’s it.

Otherwise, they dig a trench around the home and flood it with the pesticide. Apparently, it’s a very common procedure around here. It doesn’t require drilling except for the patio in our case.

Holes drilled every 6 inches in any concrete that abuts the foundation perimeter, in our case the garage, front porch, back porch, and then every six inches they drilled as well in the dirt. Once 18 inches or so down they sprayed/flooded the hole. Then filled the holes. The dirt ones with dirt, the concrete ones with concrete.

I find it odd they are going to dig a trench rather then drill and spray. The trench sounds much more intrusive and potentially damaging to anything planted around the home. But I guess if you pay attention to the annual termite inspection, you should not have anything planted within 18 inches of your home and should not use a mulch that is termite friendly.

I have always maintained the termite retreat/repair bond on my home. I pay the $179 inspection fee yearly and when it needs to be retreated they do it that year in place of the inspection.

When you live in termite country the slogan is there are only two types of houses. Those with termites and those that will have termites.

 

[AustinTink]

There are several types of termites most commonly found are 2 types found here in the US. Depending on where you live some areas only have one type the weather has everything to do with it, plus they really like damp areas. Here in the south we have Dry-woods and Subs, there have been areas that have Formosan as well.

There are many ways to treat. Do your homework, What type of contract did you sign.. one that includes repairs? or just re-treatment ? Should an inspection be done yearly? is there an annual renewal to keep said contract valid?

I will say this make sure that the company you have been with, has been around a while, and is licensed, not just a business license, but the techs that do the work are licensed and certified plus there is a certified operator at the company. Pest control companies have a ton of rules and regulations that must be followed, This industry has a lot of federal and state mandates, and are governed by, along with laws, that must be adhere to. the only other industry that has higher standards are Long term care facilities, Protect yourself. Your home is that largest investment and purchase most people make. You don't want to trust your home to a fly by night company, or just go with a cheaper price.


1) Drywoods which is the type that they use a tent to treat.
2) Subterranean termites live under ground and forage for wood, they are the ones that build the kinda tunnels that you can see something going up the side of the wall, they like a damp area.
There is a 3rd) - termites which is a Formosan( they have been found here in the US) they are like a super termites they can consume wood very rapidly, and can do alot of damage in a very short amount of time.

While they are trenching and treating, you will want some type of bait station place in the yard, so that they whatever company you are using, can normally check quarterly to make sure what is going on.

I worked for a pest control company.

Great info! Thanks. The pest control company doing our treatment has been around for 25 years so I trust them.

Is it safe for us to be inside the house while the trench and flood treatment is being performed?

 

[tvguy]

There are many ways to treat. Do your homework, What type of contract did you sign.. one that includes repairs? or just re-treatment ? Should an inspection be done yearly? is there an annual renewal to keep said contract valid?

I will say this make sure that the company you have been with, has been around a while, and is licensed, not just a business license, but the techs that do the work are licensed and certified plus there is a certified operator at the company.

My contract included treatment and repairs with a lifetime warranty that I will never have termites and if I do they will retreat and do repairs for free.
We used Clark which does business in California and Nevada and have been in business since 1950. They got bought up by Rollins in 2019. Rollins is the second largest pest control company in the nation and has also been around since the late 1940s..

 

[MimitoAlex]

Great info! Thanks. The pest control company doing our treatment has been around for 25 years so I trust them.

Is it safe for us to be inside the house while the trench and flood treatment is being performed?

Yes its safe, just keep kiddo's out of the way, and if you go outside watch where your walking. loose dirt and all that.

 

[MimitoAlex]

My contract included treatment and repairs with a lifetime warranty that I will never have termites and if I do they will retreat and do repairs for free.
We used Clark which does business in California and Nevada and have been in business since 1950. They got bought up by Rollins in 2019. Rollins is the second largest pest control company in the nation and has also been around since the late 1940s..

I will say its pest control and termite control, I really think that thinking like this and the word never is kinda misleading, the contract states if you get them again, and depending on where you live, and your weather overall heat and moisture is a huge factor. Plus the construction of your home, and lawn, and landscaping all come into play as well as things like wood to ground, and certain type of siding. Pay your renewal, make sure to have a year inspection, is the best way to protect your home. Most contracts state that they will retreat and repair any damage when finding live activity... meaning live termites...so that is new damage, not old damage from before you signed the contract with the pest control company. As well any add on's, like home additions, pool, hot tubs, sheds, make sure to call and get this handled.

So what I'm saying is if you later down the road find damage and no live termites in that area, they are not going to pay for repairs as its old damage. If they find live termites they will retreat and repair damages in the area that live termites are found, not a total reno.

Rollins is a top notch company and stand behind their work.

 

[tvguy]

I will say its pest control and termite control, I really think that thinking like this and the word never is kinda misleading, the contract states if you get them again, and depending on where you live, and your weather overall heat and moisture is a huge factor. Plus the construction of your home, and lawn, and landscaping all come into play as well as things like wood to ground, and certain type of siding. Pay your renewal, make sure to have a year inspection, is the best way to protect your home. Most contracts state that they will retreat and repair any damage when finding live activity... meaning live termites...so that is new damage, not old damage from before you signed the contract with the pest control company. As well any add on's, like home additions, pool, hot tubs, sheds, make sure to call and get this handled.

So what I'm saying is if you later down the road find damage and no live termites in that area, they are not going to pay for repairs as its old damage. If they find live termites they will retreat and repair damages in the area that live termites are found, not a total reno.

Rollins is a top notch company and stand behind their work.

Well, they allegedly inspected everything and found no damage, and no termites. It was preventative treatment as some neighbors had termites. Hope never to find out if they will honor their warranty and word on the street is they do

 

[MimitoAlex]

Well, they allegedly inspected everything and found no damage, and no termites. It was preventative treatment as some neighbors had termites. Hope never to find out if they will honor their warranty and word on the street is they do

I am with you, I hope you never have to worry about the warranty... and they will honor their contracts and warranties.