Understanding The Importance of Termite Inspections

Understanding The Importance of Termite Inspections

Homeowners have a list of possible pests, termites being one of them, and they certainly aren’t easy to handle. One of the most challenging things about termites is determining if you have a termite infestation. These pests cause damage to wood from the inside out, leaving the exterior of your wood looking normal and untouched.

Hiring a pest control company to do a thorough termite inspection is highly recommended when it comes down to it. However, if needed, professional termite treatment is the smart move.

Unchecked, termites can compromise the physical integrity of your home, and it won’t be just the structure. Termites will destroy paneling, carpet, furniture, and drywall. 

Termites Act Fast & Silent

A colony of termites can eat a pound of wood a day! Because you can’t see the damage with the naked eye, they will eat away at your home for years, and you would never notice. 

Hiring a professional termite inspector to inspect your home will help prevent a termite problem from small bugs causing a massive issue. 

Termites are silent destroyers. When termites are eating your home, it is silent. These awful pests can destroy exposed wood without visibly looking damaged because the outside of the wood is left intact while they feast on the inside. 

You will not spot them often like you will with cockroaches and rats, but these silent predators will eat away at your home. Even when you are intentionally looking for an infestation, it is hard to find one. Thus, it is best to hire a professional who knows how and where to look for an infestation. In addition, a regular termite inspection is vital for ensuring the integrity of your home and keeping it free of termites.

 Professional Inspection

A trained professional knows where to look when inspecting a home for termites. These professionals also know where to find difficult-to-access hidden places where termites enjoy spending their time. A termite professional also knows your home’s most vulnerable areas and conducts a thorough inspection.  

Signs of Termites

If you know what you’re looking for, termites leave small clues that they are rummaging inside your home. For example, Termite wings near light fixtures and window sills are a giveaway, as are termite droppings. 

And if you see these particular signs in your home, it’s likely late in the termite game:

• Sagging floors
• Bubbling paint
• Damaged and crumbling wood trim
• Loose tiles
• Pinpoint holes in drywall

 A professional inspector can study the signs and determine how severe your problem is. Skilled inspectors thoroughly examine your home from the foundation up, looking at all the cracks and crevices along the way. Unfortunately, termites can ruin the foundations of your home, and therefore, it’s essential to get foundation repair in the case this does happen. 

 Can You Prevent Termite Damage?

Homeowners can take several actions to minimize and prevent termite damage.

As established, getting a yearly inspection is critical in preventing termite damage. In addition, make sure your downspouts and gutters are diverting water away from your home’s foundation, and don’t let your sprinklers hit stucco or wood siding on your home. Otherwise, you could not only be looking at termite damage but also water damage to the siding of your home, requiring pest control. Ensure you have proper ventilation in crawl spaces and don’t allow vines, hedges, and bushes to block vents. Keep an 18-inch gap between any wood portions of your home and soil. And finally, store firewood 20 feet away from your home.