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Routinely, agents confess how little they know about the physical product they sell…(the house). At times, they are embarrassed that they can’t answer client’s questions regarding the physical aspects of the house.

Each publication, you will find helpful comments and pictures to help build your knowledge base. This information is not to make you a home or termite inspector. It’s to increase your core knowledge to make you even more valuable to your client.

Would you pay $5400 for this piece of driftwood? 

         

A Marin County homeowner did.  He would routinely walk the beaches and pick up driftwood to make driftwood sculptures.  He even liked the unique holes in this piece.  Those unique holes were from wood destroying beetles. 

Storing the infested driftwood in his subarea, he created a giant infestation into the house that required a fumigation that cost him $5400.00.

“Fumigations – Critical facts and secrets that can save your clients THOUSANDS! ! ”
 

(This article is longer than our normal articles but I encourage you to read it thoroughly.  The information contained will absolutely make you a more knowledgeable agent and will undoubtedly help close more real estate deals involving fumigation recommendations.) 

Recently, Randy B. from Re/Max asked the following questions of the NBI’s Answerman. 

Randy:  Is fumigation best for treating drywood termites?     

NBI’s Answerman:  Fumigation is an area that is least understood by the real estate community because it’s not a “one answer fits all” situation. 

   

Pictures of homes being fumigated:

Randy:  OK, lets start with identifying the pests that typically require a fumigation type treatment. 

NBI’s Answerman:  Drywood termites, powerpost beetles and deathwatch beetles are typically the wood destroying pests that require fumigation.   

Q:  What are the differences in these pests? 

A:  Drywood termites get their name from the fact that they can live in “dry wood”.   They don’t need an exterior moisture source.  This is the reason they are so hard to control.   

Drywood termites emerging from a board that was broken open.

Deathwatch beetles like areas that are dank and musty…high moisture content.  They infest in softwoods typically used to construct the home. 

Powder post beetles infest primarily in hardwoods such as furniture and cabinets as well as trim around doors and windows.   

Q:  Are these pests equally scattered throughout the Bay Area? 

A:  No.  Drywood termite infestations are extremely heavy in Santa Clara County.  Approximately 50% of all houses we inspect have or “had” a drywood infestation.  That percentage drops as we come north.  The percentage of infestations continues to grow year after year throughout the Bay Area.  Surprisingly we are finding a greater percentage of homes in Marin County than ever before (even along the Coast).   

Deathwatch beetle infestations are very heavy in Marin County; the Oakland/Berkeley area and the San Francisco area.  Very few infestations are found in Santa Clara County or in other hot dry areas. 

Powderpost beetles are rarely found and really have no special territories. 

Q:  Knowing there is no “one” treatment method; how does NBI decide on what to recommend?   

A:  We try to assess the extent of the infestation and the costs of eradication.   

If the infestation is localized, we will oftentimes recommend simply removing the infested wood and replacing with new.  (If you don’t like your neighbor…throw wood scraps in his yard…..JUST KIDDING’)   

If the wood is not easily removed and no “structural damage” has occurred, we will recommend a localized treatment of the infested area only.   

If the infestation is scattered throughout the home, we will be forced to recommend a “whole house” treatment…..such as a fumigation. 

Q:  Are localized treatments viable?   

A:  Absolutely.  I’m a great believer of “localized treatments” for drywood termites and beetles.  Fumigations provide a guaranteed 100% kill; however, there is no residual value.  Once you take the fumigation tent off the house, there is no further protection.  You will have killed all of the bugs in your house, but your neighbor’s bugs could soon reinfest back into your house.  Plus….fumigations are VERY expensive! !  

Most localized treatments utilize chemicals or compounds that offer long lasting protection on all of the treated wood.  Localized treatments are also substantially less expensive than a full house treatment.   

Q:  What chemicals are typically used for localized treatments? 

A:  In the early 1990’s a new borax based product revolutionized the localized treatment market.  (Remember the 20 Mule Team Borax ads?)  These compounds will kill fungus, termites AND beetles.  Tim-Bor and Bora-Care are the two brands used most by licensed companies.  (See Termite and Beetle Treatment for Under $10.00 for more information.) 

Q: Can any company perform localized treatments? 

A:  Yes…any licensed company “can” perform localized treatments; however, I’m only aware of a few that “specialize” in localized treatments.  We have found Leading Edge Termite Treatment Company (800) 471-5555 to be one of the finest localized treatment companies in the business.  They have performed well for NBI’s customers for many years.   

Q:  Are the costs to fumigate drywood termites the same as wood destroying beetles? 

A:  NO!  The cost to fumigate for beetles is far greater than fumigating for drywood termites.  Methyl Bromide had been used for the fumigation of beetles until it was outlawed in California several years ago.  Now, fumigators are using Vicane at 7-8 times the concentration needed for drywood termites.  This increased concentration makes fumigating for beetles dramatically more expensive than for drywoods. 

Q:  Fumigators are reluctant to Marin County.   Are you aware of that? 

A:  Yes.  Marin County has far more restrictions on fumigators than most other counties.  Many fumigators are simply refusing to do business in Marin County.  Others are charging substantially more than what they charge in other counties. 

Q:  Do the termite inspection companies perform the fumigations? 

A:  NO!  Fumigations can only be performed by companies that hold a “Branch 1” Fumigation license.  Termite inspection companies (such as NBI) are “Branch 3 Structural Pest Inspection Companies”.   

Q:  Who do I contract with for a fumigation?  A Branch 1 Fumigator or the Branch 3 Pest Inspection company that performed the inspection? 

A:  In 1995, California laws were changed allowing homeowners to contract directly with fumigators eliminating the need to go through the Branch 3 inspection company.  The vast majorities of real estate agents don’t realize the difference between the two Branches of pest control companies and are allowing their clients to place fumigation orders with the inspection company rather than the fumigator.  It is industry standard for Branch 3 companies to place a 100% up-charge on the fumigation.  If the Fumigator quotes $2500 to the Branch 3 company, that Branch 3 company often times will charge your client $5000.00.  (I’ve witnessed upcharges in excess of $12,000.)  This is particularly disturbing when you realize that the Branch 3 company is charging thousands of dollars simply to make the phone call to the fumigator.   

Q:  WOW!   That’s incredible.  How do I find the fumigators? 

A:  That’s the tough part.   Fumigators get 90% of their business from the Branch 3 operators so they don’t advertise in the Yellow Pages.  Don’t be fooled by Yellow Page ads stating that they perform fumigations.  They may be a Branch 3 company that simply sub-contracts with a Branch 1 Fumigator.  As a customer service, NBI has published a list of the fumigators in the Bay Area on our web site at www.goNBI.com.  We’ve also provided you with a list below.     

Q:  I’ve heard about a “heat treatment” method of fumigation.   Are you familiar with that? 

A:  Yes.  The heat treatment method can be used as a “whole house”  or “localized treatment” method.  The house (or portion of the house) is heated to 160 degrees for 3 hours.  This combination has proven to kill all bugs within the treated area.   

The advantages of this method are:

  • No chemicals are used; therefore, there is no risk of residual chemicals remaining in the house.

  • There are less rules and regulations that need to be followed… especially in Marin County.

  • The heat can be applied locally; to one wall, one room; or even one unit in a condo situation.  None of these options are available with a chemical fumigation.

Q:  How does the cost compare to fumigations and who performs these treatments?

 A:  The cost is typically comparable to a fumigation; however, all of the other advantages apply.  Leading Edge Termite Treatment Company (800) 471-5555 also specializes in the heat treatment technique. 

 Randy:  The information received in this interview will save my clients a tremendous amount of money and make me even more valuable to them.    Thanks so much for this incredible information. 

NBI’s Answerman:

You are welcome!

______________________________________________________________________

List of fumigators in the San Francisco Bay Area

NOTE:  These are the ONLY Branch 1 Fumigators listed in the SF Bay Area.  All other companies advertising fumigation services are subcontracting to one of these fumigators. 

Best Care Fumigation – Fremont (510) 226-1928   510-557-0660

Cardiff Pest Control - Santa Cruz- 831-475-4214

Clark Termite - San Jose - 408-296-4888

Cost Less Fumigation - San Jose - 408-918-9100

Discount Fumigation – San Jose (408) 279-2040

Mission City Fumigation - San Jose- 408-275-1046

Terminix - Petaluma - 916-773-9557

Your Way Fumigation - San Leandro - 510-568-7776

_____________________________________________________________________

 

Termite and Beetle Treatment for Under $100.00
(This information could save your clients THOUSANDS of dollars)

No….that’s not a typo.   A homeowner can now treat his home for termites, beetles AND fungus for less than $100.00.

In the early 1990’s several companies introduced an octaborate product that swept the pest control treatment industry.  This compound promised to kill termites, beetles and fungus….”and it worked” ! !   The brand names of Tim-Bor and Bora-Care became the industry standard for localized treatments.   

The beauty of the product was that it was non-toxic to humans.  It was made from borax (remember the 20 Mule Team Borax?)   Borax is used in toothpaste.  It is odorless.  It’s a white powder that simply mixes with water.  It will soak into unpainted wood and remain there forever unless liquid moisture leaches it out (such as in decks).  Decks will require re-treatment every two – three years.   

For years, I’ve wondered why this safe product was not available to the public?  The pest control operators had complete control of its use UNTIL NOW! !  Recently, I was introduced to Termite Prufe.   A product that is nearly identical to Tim-Bor and Bora-Care. 

Now, homeowners can perform their own “preventative treatments” for fungus damage, termites or wood destroying beetles.  A one pound can of Termite Prufe is only $8.00.  Mix this product in one gallon of water and spray it onto raw wood framing using a simply garden sprayer.  One gallon will cover 150-250 sq. ft. of surface area.  In most cases, you will be able to treat the entire subarea and all other raw (unpainted) wood with less than 10 lbs of Termite Prufe.   

Adding a coloring agent to the water makes it much easier to see the areas that have been treated.  This works very well in the subarea.  (I think a beautiful NBI blue looks nice. (Ha)   

Remember…..this is a “homeowner” treatment to be used as a preventative measure or to treat an existing infestation.  This treatment would not be acceptable during a home sale transaction. 

Please inform your clients/homeowners that they can contact Answerman@goNBI.com at any time with questions they have about the product and treatment techniques. 

 


(Snippets of life from NBI)

When fishing….don’t jump into the water when the fish is bigger than you are. 

 

 My friend emailed me this picture. 

“To get it to water shallow enough to be photographed required that it be towed by motorboat.  The fish was caught on a trot line of nylon rope (500-lb test) with a steel hook and a whole chicken as bait.  “

 I would hate to see what he'd catch if he used a cow as bait! ! !

 

NBI has only two things to sell, unequalled construction knowledge and “TIME”. We understand that we will never be able to sell “TOMORROW” again. NBI would rather give your client a GIANT discount for acting fast, than not filling an open time slot.

By ordering a “Last Minute Home and Termite Inspection”, your client could save up to $300.

Our normal rates are: (Based upon homes under 2000 sq. ft.)

Home Inspection: $375.00
Termite Inspection: $210.00
Total:.. $585.00

If you fill a combination (home and termite) inspection for the day following your call; your client will have to pay only $285.00! A $300 SAVINGS!

(Example: If you call NBI on Monday and you are able to fill an open time slot we have on Tuesday, you will receive up to a $300 discount.)

If you fill one of our time slots 2 days from your call, your client will have to pay only $385.00! A $200 SAVINGS!

If you fill one of our time slots 3 days from your call, your client will only have to pay $485.00! A $100 SAVINGS!

(Note: Our condominium inspection prices are $240, $310, and $380 respectively.)

Call our office at (800) Go-NBI-NOW (800) 466-2466 for complete details. For additional information about our company, please visits us at www.goNBI.com.

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One day, while a woodcutter was cutting a branch of a tree above a river,
his ax fell into the river. When he cried out, the Lord appeared and asked,
"Why are you crying?"

The woodcutter replied that his ax had fallen into the water, and he needed the ax to make his living.

The Lord went down into the water and reappeared with a golden ax.

"Is this your ax?" the Lord asked.

The woodcutter replied, "No."

The Lord again went down and came up with a silver ax. "Is this your ax?"
the Lord asked.

Again, the woodcutter replied, "No."

The Lord went down again and came up with an iron ax. "Is this your ax?" the Lord asked.

The woodcutter replied, "Yes."

The Lord was pleased with the man's honesty and gave him all three axes to keep, and the woodcutter went home happy.

Some time later the woodcutter was walking with his wife along the
riverbank, and his wife fell into the river.

When he cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked him, "Why are you crying?"

"Oh Lord, my wife has fallen into the river!"

The Lord went down into the water and came up with Jennifer Lopez.

"Is this your wife?" the Lord asked.

"Yes," cried the woodcutter.

The Lord was furious. "You lied! That is an untruth!"

The woodcutter replied, "Oh, forgive me, my Lord.   It is a misunderstanding.  You see, if I had said 'no' to Jennifer Lopez, You would have come up with Catherine Zeta-Jones.  Then if I also said 'no' to her, You would have come up with my wife.  Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given all three to me.  Lord, I am a poor man, and am not able to take care of all three wives, so THAT'S why I said yes to Jennifer Lopez."

The moral of this story is: 

Whenever a man lies, it is for a good and honorable reason, and for the benefit of others.

That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

 

 

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Like NBI's helpful hints? Send us the email addresses of fellow agents that could benefit from these hints. Send to, Answerman@goNBI.com.

HAVE QUESTIONS or concerns regarding a potential home problem, ask NBI's AnswerMan at Answerman@goNBI.com.