Termites-Part II

Ok so, a few blogs ago I told you that we have termites. Since then I've had 3 different pest control companies out. All 3 agree-drywood termites. Major infestation.
Company #1 says they'll do the job for $1100.00. We'll have to move out, lock, stock, and barrel, for 3 days. This includes food, medicines, the cats, and THEIR foods and meds. They will then come and re-inspect our house in one year, free of charge. IF we sign up for their termite protection plan. Said plan costs $225 per year. Why doesn't 'free' sound 'free' here? If the ONLY way they'll come and inspect for 'free' is if you join their plan, then it isn't FREE! Nope, we're NOT using them!

Company #2 came yesterday. They promise to beat the competition's price. Guy was really nice, explained everything, and told us that they guarantee their work for 4 years, and free inspections at NO additional charge. He gave us a price of $1150.00, but once we told him what company #1's price was, he dropped it $100. Still all the same hassle with moving everyone and most things out, but we liked what he had to say better.

Both companies stress that there can/will be structural damage to the roof and any other outdoor components, like trellises, carports, etc...NOT very comforting thoughts! Especially considering the fact that there are damaged boards on the porch that will need replacing once all the bugs are gone. Who can afford additional damages on top of everything else?? No THANKS!

Still one company left, and he came today....our hero!

Company #3 is Xtermite. They use all natural products, so you don't have to leave. It's human and animal-friendly. They use orange oil and boric acid. They also only focus on the parts that they physically SEE are infested. Our bugs are pretty much contained to our porch. So of course they'd treat the porch with the orange oil, which penetrates everything and even defies gravity, and then for the rest of the house they'd use the boric acid. I think that might be more of a deterrent, but at any rate, the $1300 pricetag is WELL worth the overall stress-free procedure that enables not only Jim and I, but our cats, to stay in the comfort of our own home. And the only residual smell is that of oranges. I can live with that. I like citrus smells.

Needless to say, Xtermite gets our business.

For those 'catless' friends of ours, moving cats is NOT easy. Not by a long shot. They are OCD bigtime, and have only been out of the house long enough for a car ride to the vet. They were NOT happy. Oh what a nightmare it would have been to have to move them into a hotel room or a rented trailer/rv for even a few days. Nope, don't even wanna THINK about how that might've turned out!


**Just a footnote here: all 3 companies told us that by the time you discover that you may have termites, in all actuality, you've already had them for 5 or 6 years. That's how long it takes them to build up their colonies.

So, all's well that ends well, and soon we will be 'bug free'!

Blessings~