Pest Control (Again): Timberpro, Inc.

Timberpro, Inc. gave the lowest quotation, but our main reason for choosing them was because of their guarantee. It's part of the contract that they will repair any damage (caused by termites) incurred after they've treated the house. Here are the details:

I. SCOPE OF WORK
The service we offer aims to protect your investment in structural real estate (house or other buildings) from destructive subterranean termites and wood borers.

A. Termiticide Application on Soil - the process of drenching the soil with Fipronil termiticide formulation to create protection against subterranean termites within the immediate area of the structure. This termiticides manage termite colonies and eventually kills the whole population. To this end, this diluted Fipronil termiticide formulations are applied using our 5Hp gasoline-driven power sprayer, which can generate pressures as much as 965.3 Kpa to attain the maximum effective results.

A1. Mound Demolition - If mound exists.

A2. Cordoning Method - the process of injecting diluted termiticide formulations into the ground as close as possible to the structure, with our Soil Slab Injector.

A.2.1 Soil Slab Injection Method - a part of Cordoning Method for existing structures whose immediate surroundings are covered by concrete slabs. Holes ranging from 12.7 mm. to 25.4 mm. in diameter are bored, as close as possible to the structure, and deep enough to penetrate the slab. The liquid termiticides are injected through these perforations using our Soil Slab Injector. Treatment of existing perforated pipes/reticulation system is not included in the scope of work, because we cannot guarantee termiticide distribution through this system. If you wish to have your perforated pipes/reticulation system injected with termiticide, that will be charged separately and charges will be based on the reticulation system design. Service warranty will only be given if standard scope of work is done (Cordoning method) regardless of additional treatment of reticulation system.

B. Spot Treatment – surface application to limited areas where termites are present for immediate colony management.

II. BENEFITS & CONDITIONS

A. Free Repair / Restoration of Termite Damage

II.A.1. A written warranty certificate with a validity period of (24) months will be issued starting on the date after the initial treatment has been completed. During this period, if there are any signs of termite infestation we shall carry out re- treatment as necessary and free of charge. Additionally and most important, termite damaged portions of structural materials will be repaired by patching or retouching as necessary; or if more than 40% destroyed, it will be completely replaced, labor and materials will be free of charge, after assessment of all damaged part by our Claims Department.

II.A.2. Free repair or restoration will only be done upon approval of Claims Department after presentation of certificate of warranty with official Timberpro Inc. seal and signature of the CEO/President with the receipt number signifying full payment and others that maybe required.

II.A.3. Repair will only be done when Timberpro, Inc. authorized inspectors declares the structure to be free of live termite infestation, to make sure damage on new material will not occur.

II.A.4. Claims for termite damage should be accomplished within the warranty, with a 1 month grace period.

II.A.5. Claims for restoration of termite damaged shall not be entertained if client has unsettled balances.

B. Free Inspection
Our Pest Management Professionals will conduct regular check-ups every four months on treated premises throughout the warranty period. Any structure found to have live termite activity will be inspected every 30 days or as necessary until termite colonies has been managed. Thereafter the case will be reclassified as 'regular' and will again be inspected every four months. However, if our inspection was refused without any rational reasons for 3 consecutive months, repair or replacement of termite damage that would occur during the warranty period will be forfeited automatically.

II.B.1. The restoration warranty benefit shall not be applied to areas where treatments and inspections were constrained by the client.

II.B.2. After we have completed the initial treatment and to keep our valued customers well informed, we submit a color-coded computer aided design (CAD) drawing that shows the discovered termite and woodborer damages at the time of treatment, and the corresponding recommendations on parts that needs to be repaired or replaced for the owner’s account, as well as areas on which termiticides have been applied for termite management. All portions heavily infested and found to be damaged by termites will be recommended for your repair immediately after Timberpro, Inc. finds no visible evidence of live termite during inspection. All portions reported for replacement but was not replaced as reflected on our accomplishment report is not applicable on Section II - A. However, if it is repaired by owner and termite damage occurred within our warranty period it will be repaired by Timberpro.

II.B.3. For structures undergoing major renovations warranty will start right after our initial treatment, all subsequent treatments needed in the structure will be done during the warranty period.

C. Free Treatment
Any time during the warranty period, the client should advise Timberpro of any changes on landscaped areas so that termiticide re-application will be done to maintain an effective cordon of termiticide around the structure. Such application would be free of charge during the warranty period. However, if treatment to additional soil is not done due to client's failure to inform Timberpro, this may cause forfeiture of the replacement warranty benefit.

II.C.1. Please advice Timberpro Inc. in cases where there are major renovations, such as new structures made that will affect the measurement of the original treated structure/area within the warranty period. Also, there will be a survey/estimate that will be conducted on additional areas and will be charged accordingly, this will maintain proper management and prevention of termite colony attack on the structure. New furniture added inside the structure needs to be inspected to make sure there is no structural pest such as termites or woodborers.

II.C.2. In cases where an existing structure will be demolished, benefits and warranty will be forfeited automatically. An Assessment/survey will be conducted base on the new floor plan for a new proposal/contract.

III. QUOTATION

For the above-specified scope of work to be carried out on the areas as per attached Survey Plan:

TOTAL AREA: 78.40 sq. mts.

TOTAL COST: Php 19,650

Window Shopping: Pest Control (Again)

One of the door jambs was eaten by termites. When we first hired Mapecon to do pest control, we thought we could just have the place treated once a year. But when they returned the following year, Mapecon informed us that one of the wooden door jambs was already hollow. We then signed up for quarterly maintenance as we didn't want any further damage to our house.

We're not sure who is to blame - was it us for not having done the regular maintenance schedule sooner or Mapecon for not getting it right the first time? To be fair, they did not guarantee complete eradication of termites which is why they were pushing for the quarterly maintenance schedule. Though some people I know only had pest control done once and that was it.

Either way, we've decided to try a different supplier. The following pest control companies require a two year contract and their rate for one year is similar to that of Mapecon, but they will only treat for termites. Mapecon did termites AND common household pests (e.g. ants, cockroaches, etc.) for roughly the same yearly fee.

Entom Pest Control
Rate: Php 22,100

Pest Away Corporation
Rate: Php 28,000

Timberpro, Inc.
Rate: Php 19,650

Pest Control: Mapecon

We've decided to go with Mapecon since not only are they the cheapest option, they also claim to be "economical, highly technical, indigenous, safe to human health and plants, environment friendly and proven effective in our 49 years of expertise in pest control business."

Here's their full quotation:

A. SOIL TREATMENT (ST) - To prevent subterranean termites from damaging your home/building, we treat the soil around by cordoning, trenching or injection methods using MAPECON’s effective F3D Insect Growth Regulator. F3D IGR contains not only time-tested persistent termiticides but also MAPECON’s patented household IGR concentrate (Pat. 16556) and organic lignin material (Pat. 13155) which long-lastingly bonds the F3D IGR with the soil creating an uninhabitable environment for subterranean termites.

Frequency : General Treatment

B. WOOD DRENCHING (WD) - With this service, we treat all infested parts of the building/or homes, concentrating on floors, walls, cracks, ceilings and crevices, by direct spraying of F3D IGR to control surface infestations and help minimize further infestation. F3D IGR mixed in either kerosene, turpentine, varnish, diesel oil can be used as wood preservative. F3D IGR is effective against wood rot.

Frequency : General Treatment

C. TERMITE ABATEMENT MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (TAMP) - If your home is termite–infested, there’s nothing like a regular termite check-up. During this monthly or quarterly visits, our licensed technician inspects all crevices, surfaces corners, and places conducive to termite attack. He treats any signs of infestation by dusting or trophallaxis method, wood injection, residual spraying or other similar techniques using MAPECON F3 Powder and/or F3D IGR when needed. Regular TAMP inspections and treatments minimize the possibility of an infestation by dry and damp wood termites as well as by subterranean termites.

Frequency : General Treatment & Quarterly Maintenance

D. GENERAL PEST ABATEMENT MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (GPAMP) - For effective control and/or prevention of all flying and crawling urban pests such as mosquitoes, houseflies, cockroaches, among others inside and immediately outside of the premises, a GPAMP service is hereby recommended to be done GPAMP service may come in the form of either spraying, misting, painting or brushing on infested surface areas with our exclusively formulated MAPECON Household Insecticide (HI). GPAMP treatment is for effective control of disease transmitting both flying and crawling and household, commercial pests such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies, etc.

This is accomplished by spraying or misting of MAPECON Sysnergized Household Insecticide Concentrate (HI) on pests and pest-infested and/or susceptible areas. Mapecon HI Concentrate dilution rate is 20 cc HI conc. to one (1) liter of water or kerosene. This solution, while maximizing its effectivity, has both flush out and knockdown effect. HI concentrate is 75% - 80% cheaper than other brands in the market and 120%-130% cheaper than other imported products such as Resigen. For residual control of roaches in cabinets, MAPECON NORO, a pelleted roach bait and its powder form MAPECON Power may be used. On surfaces where the cockroaches and other crawling insects pass and breed, spraying or brushing with MAPECON HI IGR concentrate may also be done.

Frequency : Free on General Treatment Only

E. RAT ABATEMENT MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (RAMP) - This covers the control of all species of rodents either by the installation of exclusive MAPECON Patented products. Most effective for this is MAPECON Encapsulated Zinc Phosphide concentrate (EZP). One EZP teabag mixed with one (1) cup leftover foods and wrapped like candies, will make 8 to 10 baits or ready to use baits. This bait will be placed in strategic and inconspicuous areas in your building/home.

Frequency : Free on General Treatment Only

Cost:
Php 15,800 - Total cost for one year contract with one general treatment and quarterly service maintenance. (VAT inclusive)

TERMS: Less 5% discount or Php 15,010 payable in full upon signing of the contract.

*For non-full payment

Php 11,000 - Payable upon 1st service and remaining balance of Php 4,800 is payable every quarterly service at Php 1,200.

_____

We have yet to decide though whether to do this quarterly considering the house is mostly made of concrete and the only wooden structures are the cabinets, baseboards and cornices.

Window Shopping: Pest Control

We have yet to live in the house, but some creatures have moved in already. Recently, we opened a window to find an ant colony living in the cavity of the frame... But the ones that have really taken over are the spiders, lizards and a few cockroaches.

So we called a few pest control companies to inspect the house (surveys are free of charge) and give us an idea if this project will be within our budget.

Mapecon

Telephone Number: 525 0434
Email: mapecon_marketing@yahoo.com

Scope of Work:
1. Soil Treatment
2. Wood Drenching
3. Termite Abatement Maintenance Program
4. General Pest Abatement Maintenance Program
5. Rat Abatement Maintenance Program

Cost:
Php 15,800 - Total cost for one year contract with one general treatment and quarterly service maintenance. (VAT inclusive)

TERMS: Less 5% discount or Php 15,010 payable in full upon signing of the contract.

*For non-full payment

Php 11,000 - Payable upon 1st service and remaining balance of Php 4,800 is payable every quarterly service at Php 1,200.

International Fumigation

Telephone Number: 0916 540 9530
Email: i_f_s_i@yahoo.com

Scope of Work:
1. Subterranean Termite Control Treatment Service

Cost:
Php 13,500 - First comprehensive treatment for entire residence wooden structure, and soil treatment.

Php 2,500/quarter - For quarterly maintenance treatment service.

Rentokil

Telephone Number: 0917 803 7771
Email: markjayson.canaveras@rentokil.com

Scope of Work:
1. Strategic Sub-Slab Termiticide Application
2. Spraying for the Control of Termites
3. Spraying and Misting for Cockroaches and Ants

Cost:
Php 21,960 - One time treatment only (VAT inclusive)