How Often Should I Get My House Inspected for Termites
When to get Termite Inspections
Owning a home is a major achievement in life. It means you have a property that will eventually give you a monetary reward, but you can’t get too excited about this type of purchase in the beginning.
You have to make sure a home is everything it is cracked up to be. You need to be careful and make sure you follow certain maintenance and inspection processes before you buy and even during the time you live there.
One of the most critical elements to keeping the home safe, or to buy a home that is worth the investment, is to perform periodic termite inspection. Home inspections have a purpose; to ensure you make a good investment.
A good inspection will show you where structural damage is, but more importantly, it will check for termite infestation. A single termite colony can cause you to lose your home due to structural damage.
What are Termites?
These are insects, and they are known as the silent destroyers. These insects are winged but they are so small that they often go unnoticed until they have started to cause damage. The termite is one of the oldest insects on earth, and what makes it so harmful to home is that the insect feeds on wood and wood-like plants. Once one termite gets into a house, it forms a colony, and they often infest houses and damage the house’s wood structure.
How to Inspect for Termites
The easiest way to know if you have termites is to see them. You just have to look in the damp dark areas of your home, behind the wall paneling and in places where wood is used. You might also see swarms of termites around wood, especially after it rains. At this point, you should call in termite specialists to eliminate the problem.
Things You Can Do to Inspect Your Home
- Look for pests around wet areas
- Check around windows
- Inspect for swarms of flying insects
- Look for tiny particles of debris (wood)
What Is Termite Control?
The best way to get rid of termites is to prevent them, but if you do see signs of infestation, get the house fumigated for termites. This process usually requires several termite control visits and can take several days to complete.
The process also requires you to leave your home during and after the extermination process. That being said, this type of treatment will remove the nest, no matter where it is. Unfortunately, termite extermination can be expensive, especially when it is required throughout the whole house.
However, if there is only a minor infestation, the cost is substantially less. Keep in mind that the best way to prevent damage and the need for full termite control is to do periodic termite inspections.
Professional Termite Inspection
Professional termite inspections play a significant role in keeping building structures safe. Most home inspections include termite inspections, but you should still ask if it is not specified. When a professional comes to inspect your home and finds that it is clean of termites, this does not mean the house is forever free of termites. You will need to call in a professional termite inspector regularly to check the home.
Prevent Termites
The following are a few simple practices you can do to prevent a termite infestation:
- Perform visual inspections regularly
- Call for an inspection before buying a home
- Perform regular termite inspections
What Happens During a Termite Inspection?
The inspector will check the exterior and interior of the house. He will check the attic and any crawl space as well. This inspection takes about 45 minutes and will review the findings with you. At this point, he will go over treatment options and preventive measures you can take.
The Things an Inspector will Do
- Professionals inspect the interior and exterior of the house
- Check all wood structures
- Check hidden areas
- He will make a professional recommendation
How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost?
- Getting the Best Price
- Get more than one quote
- Ask for an upfront quote
- Get an extermination quote in writing.
Bottom Line
