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Before you choose a termite management company please read this page it could save you thousands.Make sure you read why the previous treatments failed and look at how we solved these problems. Remember experience is vital in termite control.
Case History # 1
The Problem. A couple buying a house in Thornlands engages Company A to carry out a pest inspection. Company A gives the house the all clear no termites and no termite damage or workings. Two days after moving in to the house the new owners discover in a very visible spot a termite damaged floor board. A quick further check around revels more damage. The new Owners contact Company A and are simply told “you can’t sue us we have disclaimers”. So Osborne’s Pest Management Services are engaged to carry out a further inspection. After spending in excess of four hours going over the house and property the following conclusion was made. No active termites were present but extensive and severe damage existed to the structure. Who ever did the inspection must have had his eyes shut the entire time, some of the damage was so evident any one could have found it.
The BSA. After discussions with Company A went no where the Building Services Authority was involved, what an exercise in futility this was to prove to be. The BSA confirmed that Company A was totally in the wrong and should have detected the damage and warned the purchaser. However the BSA had no legislative authority to order rectification. The property owners would have to take legal action against Company A themselves. This brings the question if the BSA has no jurisdiction in this matter than why are pest managers forced to be licensed. After no action from the BSA an engineer was engaged to determine the extent of the damage. To repair the damage it would cost $211,000.00 to demolish and rebuild the house would cost $204,000.00.
The Solution. This matter was settled out of court for a substancial figure by the insurance company. This is after 3very long years that has been extremely stressful for the couple and every one involved. We are glad justice has prevailed and a big thank you to the insurance company for the payout. Company A is in liquidation, but is still trading without a BSA license and insurance. The government needs to act on rogues in this industry which vastly out number the good operators. The couple and indeed the consumer must beware that they are at the mercy of a very dodgy industry and it is buyer beware.
Case History # 2
The Problem. Retired couple purchasing a home in Birkdale has company A (yes same company A as case 1) carry out a pre purchase inspection, and are told every thing is ok, the house had an external perimeter treatment by company R only 10 months earlier. One week after moving in they discover not only termite damage but active termites. The damage was extensive, to large sections of bottom plate and a few studs. Company A doesn’t want to know and company R says it’s not their problem their contract was with the previous owner.
What Went Wrong? Basically the treatment was all wrong. An external perimeter should be an unbroken and continuous vertical barrier. Where there is cement you have to cut and remove the cement so you can dig a trench. Company R simply drilled and injected the cement thus applying a horizontal barrier. The termites simply moved in under the barrier. They also failed to properly identify the entry point and break up the mud tunnel the termites used to gain entry with, which is a must if you are to successfully stop the infestation.
The BSA. Again a total waste of time and effort in contacting them, their attitude “not interested”. The government really needs to have a look at the BSA and dismantle it and start from scratch.
The Solution. This was the easy part, we cut a 400 mm strip out of all the concrete abutting the house and dug a trench all the way around. Placed a reticulation pipe in the trench and flooded and backfilled the trench with Termidor. New soil was placed into the trench as to avoid contamination from the other products previously used. Twelve months on the house is free from termites and protected by a $100,000.00 Timbersure timber replacement warranty. Total cost of repairs and treatment in excess of $18,000.00.
Case History # 3
The Problem. Company A (yes it is getting repetitive) carried out an inspection at Wellington Point and located live termites in the structure. The house had only been treated about 18 months earlier by Company A, they drilled and injected around the perimeter. Their solution to the problem was to drill and inject around the perimeter again despite the fact this had not previously worked and the fact the termites were coming out of cracks and joins inside the slab.
What Went Wrong? Company A obviously does not understand how termites work or how to treat termites properly. The slab was non monolithic, meaning it was not one slab it was two slabs joined and also had significant cracks. Company A to start with drilled the external cement instead of cutting and removing it to allow proper treatment of this area. However the termites were still coming up inside.
The Solution. We simply drilled the internal joins and cracks to treat these areas and put a baiting system around the house. Now over 12 months later the house is free of termites.
Case History # 4
The Problem. Company B (who is also an active member of AEPMA, and a director who sat on the AEPMA committee) had its BSA license suspended for a month in 2006, and ignored this suspension and kept trading. On complaining to the BSA (this complaint was made through the minister) and AEPMA I was told by both organizations that there was no problem. This is despite Company B totally ignoring the law and still trading by doing termite work.
What Went Wrong? With the BSA it is a simple fact of no body wanting to do any work and get off their backsides and do their job. With AEPMA it is just a simple case of their double standards, in their eyes their members can do no wrong they have no interest in the consumer just protecting their members.
The Solution. In my opinion the state government needs to dismantle the BSA and start from scratch. The BSA is totally ineffective and a total waste of tax payers money. As for AEPMA another Pest Management association is required with real teeth to keep its members honest, this association is currently in the pipeline and will hopefully replace AEPMA sometime in 2008 to 2009. Remember this is my opinion.
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Case History # 5
The Problem. A couple had their home treated by Company C in 2004. Company C’s owner had previously been a president for AEPMA. After the first twelve months the termites returned. And again and again and again. The couple basically had termites the entire time. In March 2008 they saw my web site and decide to get a second opinion. What I saw was disgusting.
What Went Wrong? The house was about 90 lineal metres all the way around, of with approximately 65 lineal metres were paved. Loose pavers not cemented in. Company C in their wisdom or lack of it drilled the pavers. No attempt was made to locate the entry point, none what so ever. Which means the mud trail entering the house was never broken and treated thus the termites were never stopped.
AEPMA. Yes I have a real problem with this lot. They were aware of this persons ethics and not only did they allow him to stay in their little boys club they made him president. What a joke unfortunately the public are the butt of this joke. The public employ AEPMA members believing they are going to get some one who is honest and must follow strict ethic’s and what they get is sometimes not the case. And when the public complain they simply get fobbed off and the runaround and all the excuses under the sun. Not all AEPMA members are this way some are very honest and trustworthy but an equal share are not. It is still buyer beware. AEPMA membership is no guarantee of workmanship.
The Solution. This is one of the easiest jobs I have ever had to fix. We simply lifted the pavers dug a trench all the way around the house to the required depths, located the entry point, installed a reticulation pipe, flooded and backfilled the trenches with Termidor and clean soil, had the pavers re-laid and the house for the first time in many years is free of termites. Not difficult just straight forward honest work. Termite control is not rocket science locate the entry point put in a good barrier or properly monitor your baiting system and guess what. You have a structure free of termites and a very happy customer.
Case History # 6
The Problem. Single lady in inner brisbane suburb had her house treated by a large National company in 2006. She has constantly found termites in her house every since causing more damage.
What Went Wrong? This is possibly the worst treatment I have witnessed. Not only did they drill and inject the external cement they only applied a horizontial barrier to the exsposed soil areas. No colony elimination was attempted. This entire treatment was next to useless. The Solution. At this point negotiations are still on going as to what this company will repair. Case History # 7
The Problem. A couple bought a house in a far northern suburb just outside Brisbane. They bought after their pest Inspection gave them the all clear. While changing a light bulb Mr X went to grab an exsposed beam on his ceiling. Much to his horror it fell apart in his hands. he called the pest Inspector back who upon doing another inspection found about 10 beams to the cathederal ceiling eaten. Mr X decided to engage Osborne's Pest Management Services for a second opinion. After inspecting the house we discovered 17 affected beams very severe damage.
What Went Wrong. The Pest Inspector simply did not look up. Why? You tell me to lazy to lift his head i dont know. Just a bad inspection. No active termites were located in the house this was all existing damage. The Solution. The insurance companies solution was not very nice, they correctly claimed the inspector did not comply with the Australian Standard and walked away. The pest Inspector had to pay out of his own pocket. Which I will give him credit he did so quickly. We then carried out a full chemical barrier and now no termite problems. |