What is a termite final grade treatment, and when does it happen?
Written by the Hydra Pest Control team, Arizona-licensed (license #9790)
Last reviewed:
A final grade treatment re-treats the soil around a new home's foundation after grading and landscaping have disturbed it. Arizona rules require the final grade treatment within 18 months of the original pre-treatment, once grading and construction soil disturbance are complete. The company that did the pre-treatment performs it.
What Arizona's rules require
Under R3-8-308(F)(1), the business that did the pretreatment performs the final grade treatment after all grading and construction soil disturbance are complete, within 18 months of the original pre-treatment. If it isn't done yet, the business keeps a record of why and an estimated completion time.
Under R3-8-308(F)(3), the applicator leaves a record of the final grade in an unlocked electrical or breaker box if one is available, or with the property agent. The eTARF is filed with AZDA within 30 days.
What you can do
Tell the treating company when grading and landscaping are finished. Check the breaker box for the record and keep it with your closing papers.
After the final grade, avoid disturbing soil against the foundation, and report any slab or foundation-soil disturbance to the company that treated the home (AZDA).
If paperwork is missing
Ask the builder for the company name, ask that company for its records, or call AZDA's Pest Management Division at (602) 542-4373. See who chooses the pre-treatment company.
Frequently asked
Why is a final grade needed?
Grading and landscaping disturb the treated soil around the foundation. The final grade treatment re-treats it once that work is complete.
Where do I find proof it was done?
The applicator leaves a record in an unlocked electrical or breaker box if one is available, or with the property agent (R3-8-308(F)(3)). The eTARF is filed with AZDA within 30 days.
What if I add a patio or landscaping later?
AZDA says added concrete for patios, additions, garages or carports needs the adjacent soil treated. Report soil disturbance against the foundation to the company that treated the home.
Related
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- On a new build, who chooses the termite pre-treatment company?
- Building a home in Arizona: the first 10 steps
- Does your lender require a termite pre-treatment on a new home in Arizona?
- When is termite season in Arizona?
- How do I know if I have subterranean termites?
- What are termite mud tubes?
Sources
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