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Wednesday, October 11, 2000 Termites eat their
way to the top With all of the havoc that fires, storms and earthquakes wreak, it's the quiet, near-invisible termite that causes more damage to homes than all these natural disasters combined. But two-thirds of respondents to a recent survey don't even realize it. National figures estimate that termites cause $2 billion in damage to 1.5 million homes each year. But according to a recent survey, only 33 percent of respondents named termites as the cause of the greatest damage to homes. And unlike health insurance for medical conditions, termites are not covered by homeowners' policies, a fact that escapes nearly one-fourth of those surveyed. Less than 13 percent even considered termites a major threat. "The fact that termites affect so many homes and cause so much damage each year should be something that makes homeowners sit up and take notice," says George Rambo, entomologist and president of George Rambo Consulting Services. "These silent invaders may go undetected for years causing thousands of dollars in damage. If not treated promptly, termites can literally eat away at one of your largest personal investments. Since insurance policies don't cover termite damage, that hits homeowners directly in the wallet." Fighting termites isn't an easy task, and many frustrated homeowners still fear that even after treatment, termites will return. Most survey respondents (58 percent) who haven't had a termite treatment believe their homes are already protected from termites an assumption that could have costly consequences. A termite only needs a 1/64-inch untreated crevice to enter your home and begin feeding. "Repellants that have been used over the last several years have only added to the prevalence and strong-hold termites now have in the U.S.," adds Dr. Byron Reid, research product manager at Bayer Corporation. "When you discover these pests in your home, you want immediate results you want them to die fast. Bait systems could take several months to kill the termite colony, but a termiticide like Premise, available only through licensed, pest management professionals, will kill the bugs on contact. That could save the homeowner a lot of money in the long run." In fact, according to the Bayer Premise survey, 72 percent of homeowners who have had a termite problem in the past went straight to a PMP. So what's the best advice when it comes to fighting these persistent pests? Just as everyone should see a doctor each year for a check-up, it's wise to have an annual termite inspection for your home. "Most PMPs will offer free initial termite inspections. PMPs can also provide annual inspections, giving you piece of mind and a head start should termites be discovered," adds Rambo. "He or she also is in the best position to guide you to the most effective treatment." Other survey findings include: Homeowners in the South are almost twice as likely as those in the midwest to identify termites as the leading cause of monetary damage to homes. One in three homeowners in the South, where termites are most prevalent, believe their homeowners' policy covers termite damage. Women are 50 percent more likely than men to try and treat termites themselves. Forty-one percent of women are concerned about recent regulatory announcements regarding pesticide use around the home, while only 30 percent of men share the same concern. For more information, talk to your PMP or visit www.nobugs.com.
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