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hello all,
I am shopping for my first EM pinball machine.
One of the biggest risk is to bring a pinball that is infested with termites and bring that into your home.
With that said, I am in FL, and based on your experience have you ever encounter that issue when purchased a pinball?
What are the best way to determine if the machine is infested with termites even after the seller clean and vacuum the cabinet well?
Quoted from ForceFlow:If there are small holes in the wood, or if the wood is spongy.
Personally, I wouldn't touch a game suspected of a termite infestation with a 10 foot pole. First, the game is likely seriously compromised, and second, I don't want to risk bringing them into the house.
yes, that is what to want to make sure i can detect that even if the cabinet may look clean 
Quoted from Isochronic_Frost:3 out of 4 pins I’ve purchased from Florida have had termite problems. You’re unfortunately in one of the seemingly worst states for that.
Are you central or panhandle? Panhandle pins seem to fair even WORSE than the ones from the rest of the state.
Be careful, you can pay a place that fumigates furniture to take care of your pin. I wouldn’t be that scared by it. If you kill the nest and let it sit in a plastic bag for about 2-3 months you will definitely know if you got it or not!
oh wow, I am in South Florida. So even if I leave it in plastic bag for 3 months, that doesn't necessary kill the termites? I'll assume they will consume the woods and get their water from moisture in the air?
Quoted from bluespin:Florida collectors usually take pins that are new to them to a pest control place. They place it in a large oven and heat it up. Termites are killed by the extreme heat, including larvae that haven’t hatched yet.
I know a collector in Florida with a lot of pins in dry storage (not climate controlled), and he’s offered to sell some of them to me. Hard pass.
So when we are talking about extreme heat, what temperature are we talking about?
how about seal it completely in plastic bag and leave it for a few days in sun. I am sure the temperature will get between 150 -200 in FL during summer time?
Also when mentioned the collector in FL, are saying his pinballs might be infested with termites?
Last, I am sure there must a way to visually detect if is already infested with termites? Can you suggest some way to find out even if the owner cleaned the cabine?
Quoted from Manimal:Seriously? Not being snarky at all, but I never knew this was a thing with pinball games from the SE. I know termites are bad there, but I had no idea people actually treat the pins they buy. I guess you learn something new every day.
We have termites here in the midwest, and they do a lot of damage, but houses are typically only treated when bought and sold or if there is known damage. Some folks treat year-round, especially if they are in wetter areas, but I have never heard of treating a pinball machine before placing it in a house.
LOL, me either. But I am buying my first EM pinball and an expert told me to check for termites. Before he was saying that, most likely the last thing in my mind was termites in pinball, but now he scared the s*** out me
I guess must a way to visually inspect and detect if is infested with termites even if the seller clean it really good to hid any evidence .
So here is the question. I know FL games have high possibility of termites, but is it possible to determine that while I am checking it?
Let say, the game has termites and the seller vacuumed and cleaned it very well (not treat it) to sell the game. We are just assuming that.
Now what can I do as an inexperience guy to determine if the game has termites within the wood? most some evidence still exist?
I hate to just pass on the game thinking just because is from FL it has termites
Quoted from Manimal:Probably one of the most interesting threads I have read on Pinside in a while that wasn't authored by Vid.
I am new to these stuff as well. It make sense that a 45 years old machine might be infested with something. You never know where it has been during these many years.
Good news is that I found a place near my house to do what it calls "vault fumigation" and cost is $120. So if I buy it, I will do all the necessary inspection on the site, and if I don't see any evidence, I will seal it in a plastic bag, deliver it to the fumigation place and have them treat it. $120 is well worth it to have a peace of mind.
Of course if I find any evidences of infestation, I simply won't buy it. But if I buy it, I will treat if no matter what.
Quoted from Isochronic_Frost:A telltale sign is pinholes in the wood. Look for them. I’ll find my old Meteor pictures and send as an example
Oh please send. Would love to see.
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