Is it okay to buy a house with termite damage?

Question

Is it possible to eliminate the termites through certain treatments, or is this a permanent cause that will end up affecting the house as the years grow?

Answer 1

Yes, the house can be successfully treated, but this must be an ongoing preventive approach. My house had termites so I bought a protection plan. After the initial treatment, technicians check my house regularly and reapply treatments when necessary. Some parts of the US are excessively prone to termite infestation. Termites like high humidity and warm weather. There are many reliable commercial companies. Have the house inspected and get an estimate on what it will cost to have the problem abated and then to provide ongoing follow up services.

Answer 2

I am a pest management professional, and yes it is possible. I am assuming that you are talking about subterranean termites. I good application with a non-repellant termiticide professionally performed should solve your problem. Buy some granules with imidachloprid and apply them as the label states. A good professional can help you, just dont fall for the baits or Sentricon or anything. Liquid treatments prove much more effective. Next, go about repairing any damage. Also, make sure that the inspection revealed ACTIVE termites. Could just be old signs. Eventually, with an active infestation you will experiance a swarm of reproductives or alates. It takes 6 years on average for the colony to reach this stage. Dont panic or back out because of termites. As long as they are subterranean and not formosan (super termites), they are very slow. So if you do purchase, take your time and get a true professional. Ask them point blank how many gallons they will be applying. Be certain that they are following the label specs, so that the termiticide will reach the footer. You have to apply 4 gallons per 10 linear feet per foot of depth to the footer. So this should give you an idea of what to expect in their estimate of gallons. If they dont apply that and multiply for each foot of depth, then their treatment would prove ineffective. Best of luck to you and hope this helps!

Answer 3

Make it a purchase stipulation to clear up and make any and all repairs-they will have to do it anyway to sell the place

Houses survive termites, they will move on to another house

Answer 4

MOST HOUSES HAS SOME TERMITE DAMAGE,IF IT IS OLDER MAY BE MORE.
TAKE LONG NAIL AND KEEP PAUNCHING WOOD IF IS NOT EMPTY IT IS OK.
REQUIRE FROM SELLER DO TERMITE CONTROL,GET INSPECTOR
SO FAR I DID NOT HEAR THAT ANY HOUSE COLLAPSED BECAUSE OF TERMITES

Answer 5

DO NOT BUY THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!

It's a Buyers Market right now, why buy a place that is going to cost you a forture to get repaired when you can simply go buy one that is in perfect condition.

Also, most home inspectors are hired by the sellers agent because they know which inspectors "go easy" on the inspection, get your own inspector, even if you have to pay for it yourself it is well worth it in the long run....

Answer 6

It depends how bad the damage is. It could be something that's cosmetic and easily treated and/or repaired. Then again, it could be structural. You need to hire a competent engineer to do a thorough inspection.

Answer 7

Don't buy the house. You don't know what kind of structural damage is started and you may be in for hugh bills.

Answer 8

well um...lets put it this way.......if you wanna spend the rest of your life fixing holes in your home and other major or minor problems then go ahead move in , knock yourself out. BUT (theres always a BUT;)) DONT, because its not the only house on the planet. maybe you can look a little harder and this type of thing takes time and you dont wanna regret it. good luck .

Answer 9

no the termites will crawl in through your ears and eat your brain

Answer 10

Don't do it.

Your house will always have that stigma and when you go to sell it, you'll have trouble.

Plus there could also be unseen damage that is worse.

Run away.