Over a long period of time, a pattern of the same questions have been asked. We hope the following may clear up any questions that you may have.
WORK ORDERS
- The work order is a very important tool that helps both you and the technician.
HOA COVERAGE
Is pest control covered by the HOA?
The HOA covers the exterior of all structures and the attic area of all structures. the owner of the unit or the residing tenant is responsible for any pest control issues within the unit.
Do you service the interior for pest?
No, We offer a great interior pest service which is currently being utilized by many Waterside residents. See our services and fee schedule on the Pest Control Work Order Page ( near the bottom)
Is termite control covered by the HOA?
Yes, the HOA does cover all termite control unless an infected item (cabinets/furniture/etc) need another method for treatment, such as a termite heat treatment.
What is a wood destroying organism report (WDO) and is it covered by the HOA?
A WDO report is used during the purchase of new property or to refinance existing property. The HOA does not cover this cost.
OUR SERVICE and WHAT TO EXPECT
In General:
Our technicians do not move furniture or any other item of weight and’or size. We cannot assume the liability if items getting broken or if someone becomes injured. All areas of concern, need to have items moved out of the way so our technician can perform their service. Such as termite pellets behind a bookcase, in a closet full of clothes, pellets coming from the ceiling with furniture under it – these areas need to be cleared away as we need to get to these areas to complete our service.
As for pest control. certain areas seem to always be cluttered, such as the rear deck , especially by the A/C enclosure. The entry doors to this area are by HOA rules, to be clear of furniture, plants and any items that hinder or prevent access to that area. Also, there is to be no storage of ANY items within the A/C enclosure itself (surf boards, fishing gear. lawn chairs, trash, etc). A cluttered rear deck and/or A/C enclosure can create a harborage for rodents, this is very counter productive for everyone.
Pest Control:
Opossums.: Some people “FREAK OUT” when they see a opossum.
The many beneficial qualities of opossums include: Keeping neighborhoods clear of unwanted pests like cockroaches, rats, and mice. Reducing the Lyme disease carrying tick population, eating nearly 95% that cross their path. Resistance to snake venom, and eat venomous species.
Snakes: The only snake that you may come across here in the Waterside South community is the Black Snake.
The black snake eats mostly lizards and rodents, they do not have a good temper and picking one up is not advised. They are non-venomous and move very quickly.
I have termites, can we have my building fumigated?
The chances of that happening are slim but not impossible. For a building to be fumigated, usually the drywood termites need to be active in a minimum of 50% of the entire building. This activity is generally measure by termite swarms and/or pellet’s on a continuous basis.. Once this quota is achieved it then goes through a voting process.
2. I have termites in my cabinets/furniture, what now?
Most times, the drywood termites were in the cabinets or furniture already. From the moment they enter the wood, It generally takes no less than 3-5 years for the drywood termites to emerge from the infested wood…possibly longer. The cellulose material used to create your cabinets and furniture were usually outside on loading docks and then in shops before being made into something. During that time, the termite’s had the opportunity to infest the wood. Once the item was built, sold and then moved to you home, all the termites had to do was wait for the right moment to swarm. This happens more times than you would imagine, especially in door/floor trim that has been changed out from the original wood.
3. I have wings in my window sill, is that where they are infesting?
Drywood termites swarm in the evenings and are attracted to any light source. It is common for termites to swarm in another room and then fly into another room where there is a light source. It is often thought by tenants (not familiar with Florida termite’s) that wings in bodies in the window sill is where the termite are located. This may not be the truth, especially if several window sills have termite bodies and wings. The pellets are the goal in locating the termite issue.
Think of termite swarmer wings as a very cheap burglar alarm system “Alarm: Someone is breaking in”… This just lets you know that there is an issue but not really where. Now think of the termite pellets as an expensive alarm system “Alarm: Someone is breaking into the north front bedroom window”…This tells you exactly where the issue is. Both serve a purpose, but the pellets define the how successful the treatment will be.
4. We had termites in the hallway and you treated them, we thought that they were gone but now they are in the living room, did you chase them there due to your last treatment?
This comment is heard many times during the swarm season, and the answer is “no”. Termites are not like a cockroach, where they freely move about and can scatter elsewhere if treated improperly. Termites remain in the wood until they are ready to swarm. What you are experiencing are other termite colonies maturing at different times.
5. I have a pile of termite pellets, can I clean them up before you get here?
It is great appreciated if the drywood termite pellets are not removed. The pellets show us where the issue is. If we inspection for a drywood termite issue and all the termite evidence is removed, it can be nearly impossible to locate the Kicker hole in which they push out their pellets. Locating the kicker hole is the goal for performing a successful treatment.