Question:
“Do I have to fumigate my house for termites in order to sell it?”
Answer:
Almost never.
I’ll explain when you do have to fumigate, but first let me correct three myths about termite fumigations:
Myth #1: “You’re legally required to fumigate when you sell.”
Over the years, many of my clients have thought this. There’s no such law.
Myth #2: “Banks require a fumigation or they won’t make a loan.”
This isn’t true either. There are some instances where this is “sort of” true, which I’ll explain to you in a moment.
Myth #3: “You can only get rid of termites by fumigating.”
You only fumigate for DRYWOOD termites. And there are alternative treatments that work in some cases: spot treatment, heating, freezing, electrocution, and possibly a certain oil. Additionally, “subterranean” termites come up from the ground and are never treated by fumigating. Instead, you inject termicide in the ground and destroy their “mud tubes.” So it’s rare that only a fumigation will do the trick.
So when DO you have to fumigate, or at least do one of the alternative treatments?
- Buyers usually expect a pest control (aka termite) clearance. So if you have drywood termites, plan to fumigate or do an alternative treatment.
- VA loans require a full pest control / termite clearance. So if your buyer is getting a VA loan, you must get rid of any drywood termites. By the way, the buyer is allowed to pay for this, though that rarely happens.
- If your contract with your buyer calls for a pest control clearance, your lender will insist on it, even if your buyer is willing to take a credit.
That was easy! Well, maybe not…
