Termites, whose cost?

Question

Lets say there is a property.  A six-plex.  And there is some termite damage,and needs to be tented and fumigated.  I know that I as the landlord is responsible for the cost of the fumigation, but that takes a couple of days.  So the tenants will need to find a place to stay for one night.  Is it my responsibility to pay for their hotel cost?

N/A N/A · Answer

tc, what type of method does termidor use?  If that is the case, perhaps that's what I should do.

Many homes get tented here.  Usually it takes a total of two days.  The first day they tent up the place and fumigate it, the next day they take down the tent and air out the building.  It is a big hassle.  You do need to make sure all food is out of the home.  I'm not sure about other things such as bedding, if they need to be washed.

It might make more sense to wait until it is vacant.  But what a hassle that will be too, to lose several months of rent.  Because their lease runs out at different months.  And then to have to find new tenants.  So, now it really doesn't make sense.  Perhaps a night at the hotel wouldn't be so bad.

Any other thoughts?

Jim Gordon · Answer

In Ohio yes it would be. You are accepting their money for a place to stay. You need to provide them a place to stay.

Richard F. · Answer

Also, the tenting method uses a gas which permeates everything- books and papers, plastic, and much more! It will also kill plants and any other critters running around the building. While certainly there may be several different compounds from various manufacturers, the one my guy uses completely dissipates during the airing out process. You do not need to wash anything afterwards (according to the manufacturer). Although I am unaware of the facts, I would expect that REI's explosive incident was the result of somebody not following procedure by putting out all gas pilots or other sources of ignition. The gas itself must have ignited somehow, as the pressure of the gas once it is released is very minimal, and the structure would have all windows/doors open equalizing pressure throughout.

My only reservation about any of these is the simple fact that not too long ago, asbestos, and any number of weed control and pest control products and much more was considered "completely safe". We won't be sure about the new compounds in my lifetime!

Richard F. · Answer

The standard practice may be different in your locale, but in my experience if you need to tent the building, you need to put the tenants up in other, REASONABLE accommodation. You also need to give ample advance notice, recommending they use up their groceries so they do not have to remove or throw out much, and a qualified pest control person will meet with the tenants prior to tenting to explain the process and answer questions.

There are different treatments, depending on the type of termite. Around here, many homes use a Sentricon type of bait station located about every 10 feet around the perimeter, that require monthly monitoring (for a nice fee, of course). Others have used the Thermador product and it's predecessors drilling around either interior or exterior of the foundation. For major infestations however, tenting is the only answer.

IMHO, the key is to find a pest control person that is knowledgeable and that you feel you can trust (after all, they will need complete access to all areas for tenting...they open all drawers, cabinets,etc. of course you CAN insist on being present for most of this). I prefer a well educated local company vs. "the big boys". You will be using them for other types of pest control in the future, so it is good to get to know them.

You definitely do not want to postpone treatment very long, as they chew up an amazing amount of wood in short time. OTOH, if you only have evidence of current activity in a couple easily accessible places, you can do spot treatments easily  with a can of Termout from the hardware store. A proper inspection is the only way to really know how serious the problem is.

N/A N/A · Answer

Beach bum
Well, it seems I'm in your neck of the woods.  And a lot of what you said has cleared up many questions.  I guess the best option for me is to call a company and have them check it out.  Perhaps all I do need is some termout.  Which I have used before, to treat wood.  At this time, I do not know how bad of an infestation it really is.  But at least you have given me some options.

But if it does turn out that I do need to get it tented, I guess a bunch of economy hotel rooms will do.  Yikes, it'll cost a several hundred.  Just gotta make sure they stay out of the minibar.  Well, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Any suggestions as to what company to use, since I am also located in honolulu?

Thanks to all of you for your help.  I wonder if there is a way to prevent this from happening again.  Any preventive stategies, so I don't have to dish out so much money again.  Any ideas on that?

Oh those little buggers!

N/A N/A · Answer

Yes, unfortunatly, I have the flying kind.  These are the type that eat the inside of your home, all the wood that is not treated, including the rafts and floors.  So, because these are inside the home, it does need to be tented, from what I know.

REI.  I live in Hawaii.  We have a huge termite problem here.

Account Closed · Answer

Mac,

You said they tent properties around here. Where is here?

I am used to SFR being being tented in Northern CA. They blew one up one day when they left the gas on (natural gas I believe). The gas built up and then leveled the house.

You really want to avoid all the units going vacant. It will cripple your cash flow and drive down the value. The building really only has value when there is cash coming in.

Frank Adams · Answer

You need to find out what kind of termites you have! I've seen people tent for the subterranean ones, which is useless. Drilling and pumping if the method for subterranean, tenting is for the flying kind.

all cash

Tom C · Answer

Companies that use Termidor, will drill holes along the foundation in your basement about every 12" and pump the chemical down into the ground, they sometimes also do the block. They the spray all the termite damaged areas and then pump the outside foundation with it too. Termidor is a fairly new product that the termites eat and take back to the colony with them, it then kills the other termites. Their is no smell and no risk to people to be around it. I used Grace exterminating. Not sure if you have one around you or not. They are much cheaper then the big guys and do a great job. BTW: Using this method gets rid of all of those traps that you see on the outside of the house.

Do some research on it.. http://www.termidorhome.com/

N/A N/A · Answer

Oh and thanks for all the replies!  :D