To ensure that the damages caused by termites are prevented or kept to a minimum, a regular inspection process is essential. But what do these inspections consist of, and what can you expect when you hire a pro to perform one? Let’s find out.
What draws termites to the home
Termites mostly eat cellulose, and cellulose is found in wood and wood-derived materials. This means that they will be after the walls, decks, beams, floorboards and everything else that’s wooden inside the home.
Once termites infest a home, there are very few measures that you can implement effectively without the help of a pro. To make matters even worse, termite show very few signs when they infest a piece of wood. They just quietly eat away at it for months, before the wood starts to show any damage.
The inspection process
Regular termite inspections can help you detect an infestation early on before much of the damage is done and the cost of repairs skyrockets. There are some signs that you can look for yourself if you suspect there is an infestation, signs such as the presence of frass (termite waste), mud tubes, and swarmers, but for a more thorough inspection, you will need to call a pest control specialist.
A professional will look for indentations in the drywood, door and window frames, and wall facings in the home. They may also tap on wood to see if it sounds hollow, and they will also look for the regular signs such as frass and mud tunnels. It is a straightforward process that can go on for 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the size of your home, and the accessibility to various areas of the building.
When do you need a termite inspection?
To keep repair costs as low as possible, you should schedule an annual inspection process, especially if you live in an area with large termite populations. The specific season or time of year that you choose to schedule this inspection does not really matter, because termite colonies remain heavily active throughout the year.
If you suspect that you have a termite infestation, or if you are interested in setting up an annual termite inspection schedule, contact us today. We can answer any questions you may have about pricing, methodology and any other information you need.
