Continue Sentricon annual termite service contract?

[David]

We recently moved into a new house where the previous owner had
installed (two months prior to selling) a Sentricon termite system by
Arrow Exterminating. They apparently paid around $900 for the system.

We are currently facing the renewal of the annual contract which runs
around $340. This covers repairs and retreats.

My question: is it really worth renewing this service, or should we
look for a typical retreat service contract for about one-third the
cost?

And does anyone know whether or not, if we cancel with Arrow, they
will come and remove the Sentricon system already in place -- or do
they leave it and simply no longer cover for any damages, etc.? In
other words, could I possibly go with another (cheaper) termite
service company for the annual contract, but keep the system already
installed?

Thanks in advance!

[Lar]

In article <***@posting.google.com>,
***@newenergyassoc.com says...
:) My question: is it really worth renewing this service, or should we
:) look for a typical retreat service contract for about one-third the
:) cost?
:)
:) And does anyone know whether or not, if we cancel with Arrow, they
:) will come and remove the Sentricon system already in place -- or do
:) they leave it and simply no longer cover for any damages, etc.? In
:) other words, could I possibly go with another (cheaper) termite
:) service company for the annual contract, but keep the system already
:) installed?
:)
:)
Two different issues to consider.

As far as the baiting I would pay to have the home treated with Termidor
within 5 years you probably will make up what you would of paid out with the
$340 renewal. The house will be better protected than what it now is...many
times over.
With the renewal covering damages, it may be a case where the money saved
will out weigh the amount that would be put out for any such repairs. I don't
offer a damage warranty, but my initial costs avg $1400 cheaper and renewals
are run $250-$300 cheaper than the company that does offer the damage repair.
If I remember right the average damage repair cost was well under $300. For
what it's worth they previous owner got a good price on the bait installation
price, maybe due to the time of year, but my personal opinion is they paid
$900 too much. :)

[Bob]

In my opinion, dump the bait and get some real protection with Termidor
or even Premise. Hell water is just about as good as Sentricon.
Bob

GOD BLESS THE USA
Member of IPCO- International Pest Control Operators
Public message board- http://www.ipconetwork.org/fmb/cboard.mv

[Harry Rowe]

Post by David
We recently moved into a new house where the previous owner had
installed (two months prior to selling) a Sentricon termite system by
Arrow Exterminating. They apparently paid around $900 for the system.

This means to me there is a current ground infestation. Does Arrow
show activity at any of the baiting stations?

Post by David
We are currently facing the renewal of the annual contract which runs
around $340. This covers repairs and retreats.

I'm confused. The installation for $900 (which is about right for an average
house. It depends on how many linear feet was involved) should also
cover 1 year of service. Isn't there ~ 9 months left on the contract??

$340 is about average for 1 year of checks and baiting if necessary. Once
a home is colony free a vendor typically checks only 4 times/year. If
there is new activity then they would bait monthly.

Post by David
My question: is it really worth renewing this service, or should we
look for a typical retreat service contract for about one-third the
cost?

It takes at least 12 months to eliminate a colony. The Sentricon system
is VERY effective. I would continue with it. Don't let anyone tell you
otherwise. The baiting system is actually sterilizing the colony. There is
no need to do any other treatment as long as there is no interior
infestation.

Post by David
And does anyone know whether or not, if we cancel with Arrow, they
will come and remove the Sentricon system already in place -- or do
they leave it and simply no longer cover for any damages, etc.? In
other words, could I possibly go with another (cheaper) termite
service company for the annual contract, but keep the system already
installed?

You own the system. They would not pull the stations out of the
ground. You can easily pull them out in the Spring when they are
no longer needed.

After the contract period expires you can certainly shop around.
Many vendors install and service Sentricon.

I have used Sentricon on one of my homes and it really
works. There has been no activity for 5 years after treatment.

Regards,

Harry

[Lar]

In article <Wl00c.25092$***@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net>,
***@mindspring.com says...
:) It takes at least 12 months to eliminate a colony. The Sentricon system
:) is VERY effective. I would continue with it. Don't let anyone tell you
:) otherwise. The baiting system is actually sterilizing the colony. There is
:) no need to do any other treatment as long as there is no interior
:) infestation.
:)
:)
I guess the effectiveness can be perceived differently under different parts
of the country where termite pressure may be different. In the Dallas area I
have yet to see a baiting system go five years without termites being found
on the structure...not just in the baits, but tubes on the home. The problem
with baits is you are relying on the nature of the termite. It doesn't
sterilize the termite but effects the chitin when they molt and kills them.
You are waiting for the workers, who do most of the damage and bring food to
the colony, to die out so that a colony of several hundred thousand, will
have no food base and will slowly die out. The reason the large companies,
even many smaller ones now, use baits..it generates termite throughout the
year that was never there before. You can check into parts of the country
like the NE where even Terminix, who made Sentricon a household name, is now
abandoning it where it has played out it's customer base and charging their
existing bait customers more money to now go with Termidor...the same ploy
they did when baits came out and had a charge for an "upgrade" to the
baits....for what it's worth it can take 18 months to control a
colony..termites do not share with other termites so if a colony shows up
(most areas have 7-14 established colonies per acre) the new group sure won't
be in the baits for awhile. The benefit of Termidor is you are relying on the
nature of the termites. The reason most exterminators are moving to Termidor
is that it effects the termite immediately and then in turn they spread it
through out the colony to get control 6 times faster than the baits.

[Bob]

Harry maybe you can keep up your systems and get results. I wish I had a
buck for every sentri-con tube I was paid to pull out. Many of witch
were never hit and many that never appeared to have been checked. Maybe
these guys gave it a black eye. I've done some baiting and it is not
good enough for my customers.
Bob

GOD BLESS THE USA
Member of IPCO- International Pest Control Operators
Public message board- http://www.ipconetwork.org/fmb/cboard.mv

[PCOpug]

Do you have any paperwork on where the "infestation" and, or damage is on
the structure?

Does Arrow?

The Sentricon system at minimum should be in and monthly monitored for two
years.

The Sentricon stations are property of Dow Chemical.

Arrow is providing service.

If a homeowner cancells, ie., does not renew, then, the stations are sent
back to Dow.

[Gamma]

Post by PCOpug
If a homeowner cancells, ie., does not renew, then, the stations are sent
back to Dow

false


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