Answer
May 15, 2013 - 07:47 AM
A spot treatment for drywood termites on most homes is exactly that. The spot that was treated. Unless you know exactly what they did, what chemical they used, how much area was treated, etc, a spot could be almost nothing, or it could be an entire wall. You will never know exactly what was done, unless you saw them do it.
As far as the wording that states the treatment was effected for all "visible and accessible areas", this is a total liability disclaimer, nothing more. Visible areas usually mean areas that are visible such as exposed wall surfaces, trim, etc, without having to move anything such as furniture, even touch anything. In other words, it is worthless. This "disclaimer" relieves the company from any liability with termites inside the walls. However, this is very common in the pest and home inspection industry, as it does reduce their liability and in most cases, eliminate it. That leaves the buyer (YOU) responsible.
My opinion, is that most "legitimate" pest control companies would never "knowingly" do a spot treatment on a house for sale with Drywood termites. And unless you are buying "as is", then you should be buying a home that is 100% free and clear of wood destroying insects, and or conducive conditions that could lead to infestation or reinfestation.
With that said. I personally would not buy a house that had any evidence of drywood termites unless it had been professionally tent fumigated with Vikane and had a contract or a guarantee to go along with it.
Spot treatments for drywood termites can and do work. But usually with spot treatments, you buy time, as it is almost guaranteed that they will show up somewhere else, in another wall, another spot etc. If they do, then make sure your dream home has a contract that guarantees that you are not responsible, and ABSOLUTELY, that the seller did not take the easy or cheap way out by getting some "fly by night exterminator" to sign off by giving you a worthless receipt that absolves both of them from liability and future claims.
Just my 2 cents.
Ron
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