Doc Summary
A termite renewal is for a client who is under contract. Clients have either a treatment warranty or a damage warranty from both Native and Formosan subterranean termites. These termites are attracted to moisture, and we need to inspect for those conditions as well as actual termites. This inspection can involve you getting dirty and being on your hands and knees. Every termite renewal gets a tunneling ant treatment (TAT) with liquid and inspection. Use the MOBILE and put in your conditions correctly with pictures, locations, and recommendations. Two trips around the home for the service. Trip 1 = inspection and paperwork/mobile. Trip 2 = TAT treatment.
Client Greeting and Interview #
BRING SWEEP DOWN BROOM TO ANY RESIDENTIAL DOOR. Greet the client and ask questions related to termites, moisture conditions, and conditions that could void contracts. Good examples include: “Have you seen any termite activity?” “Have you had any leaks inside?” “Have you poured any concrete additions, disturbed the dirt within six inches of your foundation, or bleached your property in the last year?”
Past conducive conditions: If you see past termite claims or conducive conditions in the MOBILE APP, please be sure to pay special attention to these areas and if the client is aware of them.
Inspection #
The two most important inspection tools are a flashlight and probing tool. Inspect UP AND DOWN. High and low. Inspect the entire outside of the structure for termite evidence and conducive conditions. Other areas inspected could include old stumps near the home, cracks on the foundation, etc. Inspect for other threats that you can bring to the customers’ attention that Arrow may be able to educate and cross-sell from. Any area that has activity or is very conducive to termites should be inspected on the inside of the structure as well if the inside is available. Inspect any outbuildings on the property that may be included, or you may be able to add-on to the property’s policy. Look for stucco to ground contact, dirt above grade, and leaky balconies.
Monitoring Station Inspection #
Place an Arrow station or sign near the entrance of the home for branding purposes. You can place others by areas of high traffic near the structure where the client will see them. Example: Corner of the garage or near the garbage cans. They should be installed flush to the ground where tripping cannot occur, or lawnmowers can clip them.
TAT Treatment #
Know your label and safety! Do not apply around standing water sources. If more than ¼ of the structure has standing water against the slab, you must reschedule the service. This is a “tunneling ant treatment” around the exterior perimeter and is required on every renewal. If management allows, granules may be used only in specific circumstances. Rod holes should be every 2-4 inches and angled down and towards the slab. Any conducive area or area that has been disturbed should be treated heavier. Areas with cracks, wood to ground contact, dirt above grade, around stucco columns, and in joint cracks should be treated. 8-12 gallons should be used on average for a 2,500 sq. ft. structure. Visible ant mounds in the yard should be treated.
Activity Found #
If termite activity is found, you need to contact your scheduler and supervisor ASAP. THIS IS A SERVICE YOU CANNOT DROP THE BALL ON AND WE NEED TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THE CLIENT. The office will send the “termite claim process” form and schedule a supervisor to go out. Note down moisture and conducive conditions around that area. After this, trench or drill ten feet in both directions and treat with a Fipronil product at 4 gallons per ten linear feet. Be sure that a follow-up is set. Do not answer any questions regarding damage or warranties. Management reviews the file and treatment paperwork.
Break in barrier = Warranty Issue. If the soil area against the structure is disturbed or washed, Arrow must retreat that area at 4 gallons per ten linear feet according to label. Document area and treatment accurately. In most cases, this is included under the warranty. Concrete additions (joints) against the main foundation need to be pre-treated if possible (this is a charge). If not, Arrow must drill the added joint and treat at 4 gallons per ten linear feet. Arrow will charge for pre and post construction additions.
Raised Structure Inspections #
Raised structures = more conducive to termite infestations. Call Supervisor. Make sure you crawl under the entire structure with a good light. If you are unable to crawl the house due to standing water, you need to reschedule and note the standing water. If you are unable to inspect due to a small inaccessible crawl space, then you must document that and do a broadcast treatment under the structure as well as rod treat the perimeter piers and chain walls. Pier structures are often more conducive to termite activity. Also inspect powder post beetles. Try to upsell borate treatments such as termite, wood rot, and PPB prevention.
Spray foam insulation = document!! This voids damage warranties.
Treatment #
Inspect under the whole structure and develop a crawl path and treatment strategy. Check your safety equipment and flashlight. Pull your hose to the furthest point and rod in the soil around the piers and chain walls and work your way backwards so you are not crawling through chemical/product. Usually, 15-25 gallons of chemical is used on this type of construction. Use a non-repellant. If there is a chain wall, also rod on the interior and exterior of it. Have an extra uniform, set of accessible clothes that can get dirty, or a crawl suit. Not having a crawl suit is no excuse to do a poor inspection. Always be prepared to get dirty with termite work.
When to use granules on rainy day renewals: when no conducive conditions exist, and a soil/rod TAT treatment is not needed. If there are conducive conditions, do not use a granule. Although the inspection is the most important part of the renewal, we want to deliver a quality and consistent service.
Paperwork #
Performed with mobile app, flashlight, and probing tool on trip #1 with inspection. Review the previous history of the home. Termite conducive conditions – Fill out completely. Be sure to label areas of concern and label pictures properly. A minimum of four pictures on each main corner of the home should be there. See termite renewal mobile paperwork video for mobile instructions!
Cross-Selling/Marketing Tips #
If the homeowner does not have pest control, be sure they know about our $20 pest special. Identify accounts with your trainer that have termite service, but no pest control and offer the $20 special to a client.