Termites...

If you live in South Florida, at some point, you can expect any wood structure to be infested with termites. Statistically, after extermination, termites return every 6 to 8 years. I noticed infestation about 2 years ago and spot treated the area with success. It's been on my list to have the house tented again. Delayed with all the moving and construction projects, I finally got around setting an appointment with 'bug man' and this month being the 8th anniversary since I had my house tented, my place is on his scheduled this week.

I met with the supervisor and did a walk through going around the perimeter of the house to see if anything needed to be removed that would prevent the tent from making a proper seal. Some shrubs, loose stones on the walkway and wires leading to my radio antennas. We spent a good part of yesterday clearing out lumber that was left over from a patio slab project and filled the garbage bin, recycle bin and 2 contractor-size garbage bags.

Anything of value that hasn't already been relocated to my condo was moved last night, including guitars, drones and model helicopters! The lock box with spare key is on the doorknob so I don't have to be around (like the last time) when they come to tent the place.

After tenting, I'm told to drop ant killing granules around the perimeter of the structure as ants usually find a way in to feed on dead termites.

If it's not one bug... it's another!
Post Comment

Comments (16)

Aussie termites would give you a run for your money mate (We call them white ants)...wow
Snakes & gators & roaches & termites, oh my ! grin
Have you decided to put your house on the market or to rent it out. Either way those receipts can be tax deductible for the tent.
lovecanbereal, I worked for a furniture company who received truckloads of lumber. Once, on the usual inspection, the owner found 'wood borers' in some of the boards and rejected the entire load.
Making upholstered furniture with infected wood could have cost him his business.
Jim, I know on your visits to Florida, you've experienced all mentioned first hand.
Fay, we're leaning toward rent.
Welcome to Florida. laugh
Gives me an idea for a photo to compose - a Florida welcome sign with a water moccasin and a pine rattler hanging off of it, a big python curled around the post several times and a gator with his mouth open waiting at the bottom, while a black bear leans against it with a puma scratching his back. laugh
In the meantime this will do;

Embedded image from another site
I think it IS intentional..... on the ants part.
Those little devils probably want to conquer the earth and be the last thing standing.
devil devil devil devil devil devil devil devil devil devil devil devil devil devil devil
The red fire ant is native to the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil and it believed that they were transported in the ballasts of ships. They first arrived in the USA in Mobile Alabama in about 1940. thumbs down
I stopped by on Friday night to see what had happened.
The tent had been removed.
Special keys were inserted in the locks and do not enter signs were on all the doors.
Everything was shut tight.

It's done. I got a call from the inspector on Saturday afternoon.
They unlocked the place and tested for poisonous gas and the readings were of safe levels.

We showed up on Sunday afternoon to check a few things and pack more items to be moved out.

As expected, grass around the perimeter of the house was burned from the gas inside the tent.
Chat talk to your accountant about how long you can rent. I think you can avoid some capital gains tax if you don't rent over two years. (Last I heard on your personal home you have had to live in it two out of the last 5 years to avoid the cap gains tax) But for those two years you rent, everything is tax deductible.
Fay I'm not really sure what to do at this point. We had talked about adding a bathroom so I can rent it as a 3-bedroom 2-bath. That would also do good if I try and sell it as a 3-2
The 2nd bath is a very good investment for resale.
Post Comment - Let others know what you think about this Blog.
Meet the Author of this Blog
chatilliononline now!

chatillion

Boca Raton, Florida, USA

I have an amazing ability to sniff-out bogus profiles...
If you're half my age... Don't expect a response! [read more]

About this Blog

created May 2019
563 Views
Last Viewed: Apr 15
Last Commented: May 2019
chatillion has 1,879 other Blogs

Like this Blog?

Do you like this Blog? Why not let the Author know. Click the button to like the Blog. And your like will be added. Likes are anonymous.

Feeling Creative?