Termite Q&A with Reid Isper, Termite Training Director and Staff Entomologist at Massey Services
Reid Isper has been with Massey Services for three years and has seen firsthand the costly damage termites can cause. In this Q&A, he shares real-world examples, explains why termites are such a threat in Florida and beyond, and outlines what homeowners need to know to protect their biggest investment.
Q: Youโve seen homes with major termite damage. Can you give an example?
A (Reid Isper): Unfortunately, yes. Iโve seen multiple homes less than four years old that were heavily infested with Formosan termites (Coptotermes formosanus).
One house in Pensacola was only four years old but had to undergo approximately $170,000 in repairs. Another in Winter Garden was just two years old and suffered $50,000โ$60,000 in damage. In both cases, colonies had spread through multiple rooms, from kitchens to primary bedrooms.
Q: What is a termite inspection like for a homeowner whoโs never experienced one?
A: By the time I arrive, the situation is usually serious. The homeowner often knows termites are present but doesnโt understand the extent of the damage.
I work with the general manager to review where activity was first found and then inspect for additional evidence. I also explain termite biologyโhow they forage, how they enter a structure, and why infestations can be so persistent.
Sometimes termites donโt come from the ground at all. For example, we had a suspended colony in Vero Beach caused by a roof leak around a chimney. That infestation cost about $18,000 to repair and, because it was unrelated to ground contact, the damage wasnโt covered under warranty.
Q: Were the Pensacola and Winter Garden homes pretreated against termites?
A: Yes, both homes had been pretreated. Pretreatment significantly reduces the risk of termite attack, but itโs not foolproof.
In areas like Central Florida and Pensacola, homes are often built on land that was once orange groves or cow pastures already riddled with termite colonies. Builders clear the surface, but mature colonies remain underground.
Even with pretreatment, termites can find paths into homes through slab cracks or plumbing penetrations. Sometimes one house on a block gets attacked while the others remain untouchedโit depends on how the termites forage.
Q: How do customers react when you explain the cost of termite damage?
A: It depends on the coverage. If Massey pretreated the home and weโre responsible, customers are relieved weโll cover 100% of the repairs. Theyโre inconvenienced by the construction, but thankful they arenโt paying out of pocket.
When damage is only partially coveredโfor example, when wood rot accounts for most of the problemโweโll pay our share. In those cases, homeowners usually understand, but theyโre happiest when we can cover everything.
Q: In the Pensacola case with $170,000 in damage, what did the infestation look like?
A: There were multiple exit points throughout the homeโin the kitchen, living room, primary bedroom and primary bathroomโwhich told us the tubing was extensive.
When we removed the drywall and insulation, we found tubing running between the spray foam insulation and the studs, along with extensive wood decay. The termites had spread into the attic as well.
The home had to be stripped of all open-cell spray foam insulation, replaced with standard insulation, and rebuilt. The retired couple who owned the house had to move into a rental for six to eight months while repairs were completed.
That case remains one of the worst Iโve seenโin my top three.
Q: And the Winter Garden case?
A: That infestation was less severe but still significant. The termites had invaded the kitchen island and the primary bedroom.
At first, treatments didnโt fully eliminate them. It took months of inspection and spot treatments before we finally discovered the source: a hidden wall that had been added during construction. Termites were climbing the king stud into a header board and spreading into the bedroom. Once we treated the source, we were able to fully eliminate the colony.
Q: Can a single house have multiple termite colonies at once?
A: Yes. An acre of land can support seven or eight colonies on average, so a single home can absolutely be attacked by more than one. Sometimes a colony splits into two (called โbuddingโ), and other times unrelated colonies invade the same structure.
Q: What about multiple termite species in one home?
A: That happens too, though less often. Iโve seen homes with both drywood and subterranean termites at the same time.
Q: Have you seen severe termite cases outside of Florida?
A: Yes. One example was in Harlingen, Texas. A home there had extensive Formosan termite damage, including tubing that stretched from the ceiling down the walls like stalactites. Most of the activity was concentrated near the bathrooms where plumbing penetrations gave them easy entry.
Q: Have you ever had to tell a homeowner their house wasnโt worth saving?
A: No. Weโll always attempt to eliminate termites. The question is usually about liabilityโwhat portion of the damage we cover under the repair guarantee.
For example, if we install a bait system in February and termites swarm in April, any damage we uncover was there long before we installed protection. In those cases, weโll still kill the termites but may not be responsible for repairing pre-existing damage.
That said, we sometimes work with long-term customers to help offset costs, especially if they have multiple properties with us.
Q: How important is it to renew your termite coverage every year, even if you donโt see activity?
A: Annual renewal is extremely important. Florida is a termite hotspot with more than 20 species, including two invasive ones that are especially destructive.
Even if you donโt see activity today, termites could invade in the future. Drywood termites, for example, are widespread across Florida, and the invasive Cryptotermes brevis is responsible for nearly all our drywood cases.
The renewal also provides ongoing inspections. During these visits, we may catch conducive conditionsโsuch as leaks or cracksโthat make your home more vulnerable.
Many homeowners think theyโre paying for an inspection, but what theyโre really buying is the warranty. That agreement guarantees treatment and repairs if termites ever invade. The inspection is an added benefit that helps us catch problems early.
Why Choose Masseyโs Termite Control Services?
- Proven, long-lasting termite protection
- Customized treatments tailored to your home
- Effective solutions backed by science
- An unlimited guarantee that includes retreatment and repair of new damage, covering both structure and contents of your home
Ready to Protect Your Home?
Donโt wait for visible damage. By the time you see termites, significant harm may already be done.
Schedule your free termite inspection today with Massey Services. We offer flexible plans, fast response times, and our No-Nonsense, Money-Back Guarantee. Let us help you keep your home termite-freeโinside and out.