Waterbury, Vermont - May 10, 2011
The state's bug expert has a warning about a national exterminating company.
Terminix is sending promotional letters to homes across Vermont. In the ad the company says various Vermont communities, including Waterbury and Richmond, recently suffered termite infestations. It goes on to pitch a $29 a month protection plan to get rid of the wood-eating pests.
But the company did not anticipate two problems; termites are fairly rare here, and one of the letters got to the state entomologist, Jon Turmel.
"I was pretty upset when she told me it was an ad from a pest control company that said that there were termites here in Waterbury-- that they were swarming and infesting houses," Turmel said. "I saw the worst case in Vernon back in the late 70s where they had started to eat the gym floor at the local school and I've also seen damage to homes, but not widespread around the state of Vermont."
Termites live underground and don't do well in Vermont's thick soils. The only isolated cases have been in Hardwick and Williston five years ago, and in Windsor near the Connecticut River.
Turmel notified state officials about the letter.
Terminix issued a response late Tuesday that said, "Terminix distributed a letter in recent weeks indicating that termites had swarmed in a particular area and that homeowners should consider safeguarding their property against the damage termites cause. Terminix made no claim in the letter that this year's termite infestations are on the rise. Termites do impact Vermont and New Hampshire, and on average, termite damage repairs may cost homeowners up to $8,600. We take our role as the nation's leader in pest control seriously, and we work hard to inform our customers of potential risks so that they may make informed decisions regarding their home and investment."
If you have questions about termites in Vermont you can contact Turmel's office.
Jon Turmel
State Entomologist
802-241-3545
jon.turmel@state.vt.us
Alexei Rubenstein - WCAX News
