ComplaintsforWynton's Pest Control

• Initial Complaint

  10/06/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We bought house Sept 9th 2020, had it inspected for termites cost $898. Sin months later porch and deck collapsed, had active termites they missed. Spot sprayed with with boracare.

  Business response

  08/17/2022

  August 17, 2022
  Response to Complaint#              ********
  **** * ******* ************* **** **** ****** ** *****
  
  On August 31, 2020 Wynton’s Pest Control was contacted by a local real estate agent requesting a Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDIR) on the property located at **** ********* ***** **** ****** ***********. A WDIR is required by the majority of companies providing mortgage funding and is provided to the purchaser prior to closing. Wynton’s Uses the form indicated by the State of Mississippi, Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Bureau of Plant Industry. This form can also be accessed from their website at ********************************************************************************
  That report was completed on September 3, 2020. (See copy of report attached)
  Please note at the top of said report the following obstructed or inaccessible areas are documented: 4J and the following conducive conditions are documented: 6
  Additionally, while only active Wood Borer Beetles were observed, (see graph) the report does indicate signs of precious termite infestation and no signs of any previous termite treatment.
  Section A on the back side of the WDIR explains that a WDIR is:
  THIS REPORT CERTIFIES AS TO THE PRESENCE, ABSENCE, PREVIOUS INFESTATION AND DAMAGE CAUSED BY WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS IN THE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE AREAS OF A WOODEN STRUCTURE. THIS REPORT IS MADE ON THE BASIS OF WHAT WAS VISIBLE AND AC-CESSIBLE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION (HEREAFTER DEFINED AS "THE DATE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED") FOR THE STRUCTURE(S) LISTED. DETACHED GARAGES, SHEDS. LEAN-TOS, FENCES, OR OTHER BUILDINGS ON THE PROPERTY WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THIS IN-SPECTION REPORT UNLESS SPECIFICALLY NOTED. THIS REPORT IS NOT A WARRANTY AS TO ABSENCE OF WOODI DESTROYING INSECTS, OR HIDDEN DAMAGE, OR THE PRESENCE OF ALL CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO WOOD DESTROYING INSECT INFESTATIONS. ANY EVIDENCE OF CONDITIONS SURROUNDING TOXIC MOLD. MILDEW OR FUNGUS WILL NOT BE PART OF THIS REPORT. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD HAVE A QUALIFIED EXPERT INSPECT THE BUILDING FOR ANY MOLD CONCERNS. IF VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF ACTIVE OR PREVIOUS INFESTATION OF WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS COVERED BY THIS REPORT (I.E., SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES, DRYWOOD TERMITES, RE-INFESTING WOOD BORING BEETLES, CARPENTER ANTS AND CARPENTER BEES) IS REPORTED, IT SHOULD BE ASSUMED THAT SOME DEGREE OF DAMAGE IS PRESENT. IF VISIBLE DAMAGE IS REPORTED, IT DOES NOT IMPLY THAT DAMAGE SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THIS REPORT IS NOT A STRUCTURAL DAMAGE REPORT. THE ABOVE NAMED FIRM'S INSPECTORS ARE NOT ENGINEERS OR BUILDERS, AND YOU MAY WISH TO CALL A QUALIFIED ENGINEER OR EXPERT IN THE BUILDING TRADE TO ASCERTAIN THEIR OPINION AS TO WHETHER THERE IS STRUCTURAL DAM-AGE TO THIS PROPERTY AND IF CORRECTIVE ACTION SHOULD BE PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED BUILDING EXPERT. IF COMPANY PERFORM-ING INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE CURRENT WOOD DESTROYING INSECT TREATMENT CONTRACT IN FORCE ON PROPERTY NOTED ON THIS FORM. THIS INSPECTION DOES NOT COVER ANY REPAIR OF CONDITION OR DAMAGE, OR TREATMENT OF AREA WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE AT TIME OF INSPECTION, BUT WHICH MAY BE REVEALED IN THE COURSE OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT WORK. IF CURRENT WOOD DESTROYING INSECT TREATMENT CONTRACT IS IN FORCE, WARRANTY IS BASED ON THE TERMS OF TREATMENT CONTRACT.
  Sections B, C and D contain the descriptions of the obstructed or inaccessible areas and the conducive conditions as listed at the top of the report.
  Section C includes the indicated obstructed or inaccessible areas indicated at the top of the report (4J) as:
  C. THIS REPORT IS NOT AN OPINION COVERING AREAS THAT ARE ENCLOSED OR INACCESSIBLE.
   4. ADD'L ITEMS (a) standing water (b) debris (c) firewood (d) no access or entry (e) absence of safe or stable access (t) inaccessible attic (g) Leaking roof (h)faulty plumbing (i) earth-wood contact (j) wooden decks (k) hidden expansion joints (I) less than 18 inches of clearance
  Section D includes the conducive conditions indicated at the top of the report (6) as:
  D. CONDUCIVE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF WOOD DESTROYING INSECT AND ORGANISM ACTIVITY.
   6.           WOOD TO GROUND CONTACT
  
  And at the bottom of the report, under Additional Comments, it is also clearly conveyed:
  Additional Comments (If additional pages are needed for comments, note number of pages added in comments and attach). . Wynton's Pest Control is not responsible for insects and/or damage in areas that are inaccessible for inspection or where conducive conditions exist.
  On September 8, 2020 a Wood Borer Beetle treatment was ordered on the property and that treatment was provided on September 9, 2020. (See attached Appointment Record)
  At no time was a termite treatment requested or provided.
  At no time was any warranty offered or implied.
  While we can understand that this individual is upset, concerned, and frustrated that they experienced a termite infestation and damage after purchasing this property, Wynton’s Pest Control is not liable in any way for these adverse events.
  
  The following information from ************************************************************* might also be helpful in understanding the significance of not treating a property in Mississippi when previous infestation but no previous treatment has been noted.  This is the information shared verbally with property owners or those agents ordering a WDIR at the time it  is provided.
  Buildings that are not properly protected from termites will eventually be damaged by termites. The best way to protect your home or building from termites is to be sure it has been preventively treated for termites and that the termite treatment is current and nothing has happened to compromise its effectiveness. Termite control is not a do-it-yourself job! If you want the job done right, it is important to contract with a licensed pest control company to apply termite treatments.
  Termites are a fact of life in Mississippi. Eastern subterranean termites occur throughout the state and non-native Formosan termites now occur in 25 counties and continue to spread. Buildings that are not properly protected from termites will eventually be damaged by termites. Wood and wood-framed buildings are especially susceptible to termites, but even buildings made of masonry and/or metal are subject to attack. Termites can still invade such buildings and damage items such as wooden floors or molding, cabinets and other built-in wooden furniture, as well as sheetrock walls, books, and other paper products stored in the building. Termite damage can be costly to repair, very costly in some cases, and repairs can be disruptive to day-to-day living.
  The best way to protect your home or building from termites is to be sure it is has been preventively treated for termites and that the termite treatment is current and nothing has happened to compromise the effectiveness of the treatment. New buildings, as well as additions to existing buildings, must be properly pre-treated at the time of construction. Because termite treatments degrade over time, existing buildings must also be periodically re-treated, with the interval between treatments depending on the type of treatment used. Some liquid termiticide treatments can last 12 years or longer. However, liquid termite treatments can also fail sooner due to conducive conditions or other factors that compromise the effectiveness of the treatment, resulting in an active termite infestation. Bait treatments can provide control indefinitely as long as the service contract is kept in force and bait stations are properly maintained, but bait stations must be monitored at least yearly, or more often depending on treatment, and replenished as necessary.
  Active termite infestations occur for a variety of reasons: because the building was not properly treated to begin with, because the termite treatment has degraded over time, or because of conducive conditions that allowed termites to invade the building. If you think your home or building is infested with termites, the first step is to contact a pest control company to arrange for an inspection. If you already have a termite control contract in force with a particular company, this is the company you should call first. The purpose of the inspection is to confirm the infestation and, if necessary, to arrange to have the building treated. Time is important here, but don’t be in such a rush to get the building treated that you make mistakes. You don’t want to wait many months before getting the building treated, but it is usually ok to take a little time, as long as a month or two if necessary, to gather information and get bids from several companies before deciding what to do. The amount of wood eaten by the average termite colony on a daily basis is relatively small; it is the fact that they are active 365 days of the year that causes their damage to add up.
  As a property owner, you should become familiar with the more common signs of termite infestation so you can detect infestations early and control them before they have caused excessive damage. If you have a termite control contract with a pest control company and keep your contract in force by paying the annual renewal fee, the company will conduct an annual termite inspection for no additional charge. If you do not have a termite control contract, most pest control companies will also conduct termite inspections upon request.
  
  Termite control is not a do-it-yourself project! Whether you need a preventive termite treatment or a remedial treatment to eliminate an active termite infestation, it is important to contract with a licensed pest control company to apply the treatment. Pest control companies employ trained technicians who know how to properly apply termite treatments and they have the tools and materials necessary to do the job right. Pest control companies that provide termite control services are closely regulated by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and must meet or exceed rigid minimum standards for quality and service.

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