Originally Posted By: rkuntz This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
For the folks who do their own WDI inspections, what training have you taken? I hear PSU has a course but I can’t find it. And what are your thoughts about the liability to the pest inspector? SHould I outsource this due to liability?
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Ronk,
Got some training at the inspectors school I went to. Here in NY, if you want to fill out the VA/FHA termite inspection for a client or bank, you need to have a pesticide applicators license from NY's DEC. Cornell University offers the course locally through the cooperative extension, and a private individual. I'm attending the week of Nov 4th. The course guarantees a passing grade on the state's exam. Yes, GUARANTEES a passing grade. The license costs $325 for 5 years, so that stinks. The state wants the whole 5-years worh up front. Oh well. Cost of course and exam is $500.
Chesk with your own state's DEC or Dept of State site on the internet. :cool:
-- Joe Farsetta
Illigitimi Non Carborundum
"Dont let the bastards grind you down..."
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
One other thing, regarding liability…
FREA offers a rider specifically for WDI inspections to members who insure with them. It's pretty cheap. All that is required is training and 10 WDI inspections under your belt. Not bad...:D
-- Joe Farsetta
Illigitimi Non Carborundum
"Dont let the bastards grind you down..."
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Foundation of Real Estate Appraisers. About half of their membership is by HIs. They have pretty good rates for $1mil E&O, liability, etc. $1,000 deductible, WDI and Radon riders…
Check them out. I think its www.frea.com or .org:cool:
-- Joe Farsetta
Illigitimi Non Carborundum
"Dont let the bastards grind you down..."
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Wow Joe,
That is pretty darn good insurance coverage. When I am up for renewal I think I will give them a call.
You should let Nick know about them so he can post it on the referal page for other members. I would have gotten mine there if I knew then what I know now.
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hey guys,
Am attending NY State DEC's required training for pesticide applicators. Core stuff was fascinating. The IPM (Integrated Peat Management) portion tells us to learn the lifecycles, habits, and characteristics of the insects before deciding on a treatment plan. Thursday and Friday of this week is specific to Termites, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, and Powder-Post Beetles.
FYI, there is a device just out that you can lease, which actually "looks" into walls and beams and giges you a visual on termite activity. Yup, just like ultrasound. Really cool...
Joe Farsetta 
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hey guys,
Am attending NY State DEC's required training for pesticide applicators. Core stuff was fascinating. The IPM (Integrated Pest Management) portion tells us to learn the lifecycles, habits, and characteristics of the insects before deciding on a treatment plan. Thursday and Friday of this week is specific to Termites, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, and Powder-Post Beetles. I'll have info for anyone who needs it.
FYI, there is a device just out that you can lease, which actually "looks" into walls and beams and giges you a visual on termite activity. Yup, just like ultrasound. Really cool...
Joe Farsetta 
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Joe,
You cant buy it... only lease. It's about $200 per month. You can get a 6-month, 9-month, or 12-month lease. Since termites are dormant in cold weather, the shorter leases are a good thing. Units must be re-calibrated every 45-days. Go past the 45-days, and the smarts inside shut it down. No charge for the calibration. 24-hour turn-around.
Its really cool... like untrasound for bugs. It can also find live and dead animale in walls. Only drawback is that the range of view is narrow and pretty specific.
It was a great course and I recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about wood destroying insects. It was given from the perspective of pest control. With all the pesticides being de-listed by the EPA, its important to be able to know the insect and all its habits. It provides keen insight to what an exterminator looks for on an inspection. The instructor is one of the leading pest control consultants in NY. A really good guy. A little pricey at $500 for 5 days, but worth it. BTW... he's the training rep for the instrument I described earlier. Also found out that you can detect termites with a methane sniffer. SOme PCO's use methane sniffing dogs... hot DAMN! Dog will hunt...
Joe 
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Termites actually off-gas methane. Yup… They east the cellulose for food, and produce methane. So, you sniff it out in closed areas where you suspect an infestation may exist. You can also use it to detect an active infestation versus an inactive infestation. Mud tubes are a good start. Of course, your moisture meter can also help with that…
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I am without a clue. The biology of how the termites ingest a protozoa which stays within their digestive tract and helps convert the cellulose into sugar is fascinating. The methane is a by-broduct of the digestive process. I suspect they emit trace amounts individually. With an active infestation, where many termites are involved at a specific physical location within the structure, a greater concentration of methane will be present. Like I said, I have no idea how much the termites “emit”, but it’s enough to alert a trained dog.
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jeff,
Same for NY, basically. If you get E&O insurance through FREA, a rider is available for about $350
To Joe M's question,
if you're serious... When you are takling about sub-terraneous termites, a nest can support up to a million termites. So, thousands arent the problem. They would be scurrying everywhere. The idea is to find where they are feeding. Methand off-gassing may help find an actively infested area. Multiple nests can be involved in an infestation. You'll never find the nest.
As to off-gassing, methane is sewer gas, basically. I suspect that the level you need to cause an explosion in extremely high. More off-gassing than, say, 7 or 8 guys playing cards, eating kielbasa, and drinking beer. No explosion there, but I suspect a methane sniffing dig would head for the hills!!
Joe 
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jeff,
Most of us do not have the license but have taken and passed the two exams you mentioned. They are absolutely correct when they state it is on a bank by bank basis. Mostly you will need to be licensed to do the FHA/VA loans by banks. The other banks do not seem to care. I guess if you really wanted you could get the insurance and license but it really does not seem to be creating a problem now, at least for me.
I am without a clue. The biology of how the termites ingest a protozoa which stays within their digestive tract and helps convert the cellulose into sugar is fascinating. The methane is a by-broduct of the digestive process. I suspect they emit trace amounts individually. With an active infestation, where many termites are involved at a specific physical location within the structure, a greater concentration of methane will be present. Like I said, I have no idea how much the termites “emit”, but it’s enough to alert a trained dog.