Question:
“Gary, I had my house tented about two years ago. I believe it is effective for three years, so is it true that I won’t need to tent again should I sell within three years?”
Answer:
I’m not sure if you’re asking…
- Does a fumigation kill termites for 3 years?
- Is there a 3-year warranty after a fumigation?
- Do I need to get the home inspected again since I had it fumigated within 3 years?
So I’ll answer all those questions…
Does a fumigation kill termites for 3 years?
No. A fumigation only kills the termites that are there, but termites can return at any time. Note that fumigations only kill drywood (aka “swarming”) termites, not subterranean termites.
Is there a 3-year warranty after a fumigation?
My “termite guy” says the state of California requires a 2-year minimum warranty, so if you had drywood termites within that time the termite company must fumigate again at no cost. Some companies offer longer guarantees while others offer extended warranties for an annual cost.
Just be sure it covers what you think it does. Many clients have thought they were covered for drywood termites, only to find that they were covered ONLY for subterranean termites.
Do I need to get the home inspected again since I had it fumigated within 3 years?
There’s no legal requirement to get a pest control inspection or provide a clearance. However most buyers will expect one. And a pest control report is typically valid for 3-6 months.
