Termites are an all-too-common terror for homeowners. The amount of damage termites can do ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars per treatment. If you’re fortunate, an infestation can be found quickly, and the damage can be minimized. However, it’s not always easy to spot the signs of termite. We’ll cover a staggering stat on the impact of termites as well as ways to avoid termites in the first place.
A Termite Inspection is Not the Same as a Home Inspection
When buying a home, completing a home inspection is a necessity. A home inspection will discover plenty of things, including a report on signs of termite activity. What it will not include is a thorough discovery of the extent of the termite activity. Some banks and lenders will require a termite inspection, even before a home inspection takes place. However, almost all lenders will require a termite inspection upon signs of termite activity.
What You Can Expect from a Termite Inspection
Whether you’re getting a termite inspection as part of a home buying or selling process or you suspect some termite activity, there are some key differences from home inspections. Firstly, a termite inspection focuses far more heavily on the structure of a home—foundation, supports, and roof. These areas are a favorite of wood-destroying insects and so they are usually the hot spots for activity.
Standard inspections will take about an hour depending on the size of the home. In that time, a pest professional will thoroughly inspect key areas where termite activity is common: attics, crawlspaces, siding, and foundation. They’re looking for more than just the typical food sources of wood, such as foam board insulation. Whether you have an infestation or not, a qualified pest professional will furnish a report detailing things to be on the lookout for. If there is an infestation, they will likely also provide a quote for treatment.
Do You Need an Inspection?
We’ve covered the extent to which termites can do damage, but it bears repeating that termites can do hundreds to thousands worth of damage to your home. So, the answer is “yes” if you are showing any of the classic signs of a termite infestation:
- discarded wings
- mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source)
- cracked or bubbling paint and wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- changes in exterior areas of wood, including windows, doorframes, and skirting boards
Afterward, the inspector will issue a report and if an infestation has been found, an estimate of the cost to remediate the situation. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and the services to correct your infestation. Ask Graduate about our preventative annual plans to keep your home pest-free year-round!
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