Why You Can’t Afford Not to Get a Termite Inspection

Termites are more common than you may realize, although they are not easily detected. That’s why it’s vital for homeowners to get termite inspections from a reputable professional. An inspection will ensure that your home remains termite-free.

Types of Termites

Termites are found in four basic types. They include:

• Drywood
• Dampwood
• Subterranean
• Formosan

Each type of termite thrives in a different kind of climate. You may feel safe from termites if you live in an area that has a cold climate, but in actuality, your home can still be at risk of harboring an infestation.

Termites eat seven days each week, at a rate of 24 hours per day. They can cause major damage to your house and to any surrounding structures. That’s just one reason termite inspections are integral to the structure and safety of your home.

Termite Signs in Your Home

The easiest signal that you have termites is when you see them for yourself. When searching for termites, you will need to search the dampest areas in your home. They are generally found near wood. Swarms of termites may also be found near windows and other areas after a rain. If you find them here, contact a pest control company to get rid of them.

Termites also create mud tunnels in areas where wood is not available to eat. If they are feeding on a wooden beam and then run into concrete, mud tunnels will be created and followed until another food source is found. These mud tunnels are often seen in foundations, if they appear at all. Tunnels are about as wide as a pencil and they are a definitive sign of termites.

Damage to wood is a common sign of termites. It may not be easily detected since the termites usually destroy inner parts of wood and markings are not always left outside. It isn’t necessary for your wood to look damaged. If the damage is severe, it may only show as blistering or darkening of the outside of the wood.

You can poke your home’s woodwork with screwdrivers to check for crumbling, if you are looking for evidence of termites. If the wood shows damage signs or crumbles, call a pest control company.

How Often Do You Need Termite Inspections Conducted in Your House?

Inspections for termites are a vitally important way to ensure that your home is safe and properly maintained. Home inspections often include termite inspections. If you have a home inspector who does not offer a termite inspection, contact a pest control company yourself.

Termite inspections should always be conducted before you purchase a home. Once this first inspection is complete, it does not mean that you will never have a termite problem in the future. Routine inspections will be able to assure you that your home is still free of termite infestations. You will also learn important information on preventing an infestation.

Contact a pest control expert to inspect your home once each year, so that it can be checked for termites or termite damage that you may not have noticed. Your inspector will check your home inside and out, including crawlspaces. Your professional may inspect your attic, as well.

Termite inspections don’t involve a lot of time. It depends on your home’s size, but usually takes about a half hour, or a bit longer. Once your inspector is finished, he will share his findings with you, and discuss necessary treatments or preventative measures you should take. Having regular inspections will ensure that your house is termite safe, until your next inspection.