Here are some of the common signs of termite infestation you should look out for:
Because the evidence of termite damage cannot usually be seen by the naked eye or the untrained eye, you probably will want to employ the expertise of a professional to check for any evidence of termites and/or termite damage.
Usually, people find out they have termites when they go to buy or sell a home. Most realtors – at least responsible ones will insist on a termite inspection prior to the closing. They will call in an experienced pest control company to perform the inspection and then report on the condition of the home.
You should consult with several different companies before obtaining and inspection and get price estimates before you choose a company. If you are getting a termite inspection for a home sale or purchase, the realtor will be able to suggest some firms, but you don’t have to stick with the one that they want you to use.
Get several different price estimates and ask questions about credentials. The company and its inspectors should be members of professional organizations and be able to present you with proof of their certification. You will be spending money for an inspection, so you want someone you can trust.
A termite inspection is a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of a home for evidence of wood-destroying insects (WDI) and wood-destroying organisms (WDO). The inspector will conduct the termite inspection by visually looking at the entire interior of a home (including accessing and entering any sub-space such as basements and crawlspaces) and exterior of the property.
In areas where drywood termites are prevalent, and in houses where there are no sub-areas, the attic may also be accessed and inspected during a termite inspection.
After the termite inspection has been performed, the findings are reported on the applicable/appropriate form. The average termite inspection takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes for a thorough inspection, depending on the size and conditions (e.g. clutter; storage of personal items, etc.) of the home and property.
You want your inspector to be thorough during the termite inspection and be able to identify any existing damage as well as check for any possible future damage, so be patient with them and take heed of any findings.
The inspector should be very thorough, and whoever you choose should be fully licensed, certified, and insured. He or she will present you with a thorough report on anything that they find on the appropriate forms.
They may also give you a suggested route of treatment or prevention depending on what they find. Since most termite inspectors work for pest control companies, they know how to most effectively treat the problem.
Once you get a termite inspection, it might be a good idea to get a second opinion – especially if the estimate is higher than you think it should be. There are a lot of companies and inspectors out there who will try to pad an estimate so that they can make more money off of treatment. That makes them fraudulent, and they are out there more than you can know.
Take a look at your original list of estimates and choose another company to come out and inspect the property. Of course, when you get a second opinion, you will have to pay for it too, but if you are looking at a huge treatment estimate, spending that extra couple of hundred dollars can be well worth the investment.
So you’ve found out that you have termites – now what? Well, aside from screaming in agony and crying your eyes out, first, get hold of your emotions and realize that this is not a problem that can’t be solved. Now, you need to get treatment.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
