Inspecting for termites can be a dirty job. You may want to purchase and wear a pair of disposable coveralls and a pair of gloves. A bright flashlight will come in handy to light up dim or dark areas and a flat headed screwdriver will allow you to probe wood to find weakness that is indicative of termite infestations.
What do they do during a termite inspection?
What Happens During a Termite Inspection
- Exterior inspection. Once there is evidence of termites are found, they then take a look at the outside of the walls or the property.
- Interior inspection. There are places or areas where an external inspection would not work, however. ...
- Termite activity detected. ...
Do you need termite inspection when buying a home?
There are several requirements from lenders, buyers and sellers when in the process of buying a house. If you are in this process, one requirement that may be expected of you is a termite inspection. Having a termite inspection done can be beneficial to both the seller and the buyer.
What do you need to know about termite inspection?
- Termites eat wood from the inside out. That means they leave very little evidence of their presence until an infestation is pretty far along. ...
- A large termite colony feasting on the wood in a home can consume a pound of cellulose a day but it's usually much less. ...
- A termite inspector can help decipher more than just the warning signs of termites. ...
Do I need a pest inspection before buying a home?
Some states, counties and lenders may require a pest inspection to be conducted before you purchase a home. For example, if you are taking out a VA loan, you must get a pest inspection if the VA determines your home is in a state that is more susceptible to termite infestations (usually due the climate and geography).
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How do you prepare for a termite inspection?
How to Prepare for a Termite InspectionDo a Little Bit of Rearranging. ... Make It Easy to Access the Attic. ... Clear the Crawl Space. ... Take Care of Some Landscaping. ... Getting Rid of Excess Moisture. ... Keeping Landscaping Clean. ... Repairing Your Roof and Attic As Soon as There's An Issue. ... Saying No to Cardboard.More items...•
How do you know if termites are in your walls?
Look for the following 8 common signs.Sign 1: Thin Lines (Tunnels) On Drywall. ... Sign 2: Tiny Holes In Walls. ... Sign 3: Swarmer Termites Flying Around. ... Sign 4: Doors Or Windows Don't Close Easily Anymore. ... Sign 5: Carpenter Ants Near Walls. ... Sign 6: Termite Dust At Base Of Wall. ... Sign 7: Faint Clicking Sounds In The Wall.More items...•
How do you test wood for termite damage?
Termite damage can leave wood looking wavy or with areas that appear to be hollowed out. Wet rot can cause wood to look darker than surrounding areas and cause it to feel soft and spongy. Dry rot can cause the wood to crack and crumble when it is touched. You may be able to see fungi growth on wood that is rotting.
What are signs of termite damage?
These tell-tale signs include:Discolored or drooping drywall.Peeling paint that resembles water damage.Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.Buckling wooden or laminate floorboards.Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.Excessively squeaky floorboards.Crumbling, damaged wood.More items...•
How long does it take termites to destroy a house?
It takes about three years of chewing for noticeable damage to occur. The cost across the US is around $2 Billion per year to address damage caused by termites.
How do you tell if termites are behind drywall?
Common signs of termite damage to a wall include:Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. ... Faint 'lines' on drywall. ... A hollow sound when you tap on the wall.Bubbling or peeling paint.Baseboards that crumble under slight pressure.Jammed doors or windows.
How can you tell the difference between termite damage and water damage?
The difference between termite damage and water damage is usually in the pattern and look of the damaged wood. Termite damage typically leaves the surface of wood with wavy grooves and looking hollowed out, while water damage causes the wood to darken and is usually accompanied by a musty or moldy odor.
What does minor termite damage look like?
Termite damage sometimes appears similar to water damage. Outward signs of termite damage include buckling wood, swollen floors and ceilings, areas that appear to be suffering from slight water damage and visible mazes within walls or furniture. Termite infestations also can exude a scent similar to mildew or mold.
How can you tell the difference between wood rot and termite damage?
Spotting the difference:Decaying wood due to wood rot is often spongy and stringy in texture and breaks off into rigid, cube-like patterns. ... On the flipside, termite damaged wood may appear normal on the outside but has chewed-through tunnels and galleries on the inside.
How do you tell if termites are active in your house?
Keep an eye out for the following signs of termite activity:Discolored or drooping drywall.Peeling paint that resembles water damage.Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards.Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.More items...
How do you find a termite nest?
What to Look For. Pencil-thick to inch-wide tunnels on foundation and crawl-space walls (above) shelter subterranean termites traveling to and from the nest. If you see cream-colored insects when you break open the tubes, your house is infested. If you don't, the colony may be dead or using another route inside.
What attracts termites to a house?
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
What to use to light up termite infestation?
You may want to purchase and wear a pair of disposable coveralls and a pair of gloves. A bright flashlight will come in handy to light up dim or dark areas and a flat headed screwdriver will allow you to probe wood to find weakness that is indicative of termite infestations.
How to tell if wood has termites?
Wood with sustained termite damage might look "crushed" at structural joints. If you tap the damaged wood with the end of the screwdriver or knife, you will hear a dull thud. Wood suspected of termite damage can be further inspected by probing the surface with the screwdriver or pocket knife to expose tunnels.
What do termites excavate?
Subterranean termites excavate tunnels that run parallel to the grain. Piles of wings. Before swarmers enter the next stage of development, they will shed their wings which are often left in scattered piles near windows or light sources. Buckling or bubbling paint or brittle drywall.
What do termites build in the soil?
Mud tubes. Subterranean termites will often make their nest in the soil (moisture source) and then build highways called "mud tubes" that run vertically or otherwise to connect the nest to a wooden food source.
Where can termites be found?
Keep in mind that termites are typically found at or near ground level. Wooden elements of construction in basements and crawl spaces. Window sills and frames (particularly in the basement), support posts, sub floors, supporting piers, joists, and wooden decks or porches.
Can drywood be termite?
Wood piles and debris near the foundation including tree stumps, exterior basement window and door frames, and fence posts. If you still suspect you have termites and the inspection guide above did not lead you to a termite infestation, it is quite possible you have drywood termites.
What is a termite inspection?
A basic termite inspection involves looking for evidence of a termite infestation with the naked eye; this comes from the debris that remains from the manner in which the insects feed. Though a magnifying glass may not always be required, it may be useful to have on hand as appearances can be deceptive–what may look like dust may actually be something far more sinister.
How do I inspect for termites?
Since termites often gain entrance to a property by burrowing their way in from outside, it is prudent to begin a termite inspection by examining the external walls. Use a handheld light to thoroughly examine the foundation for any holes that could be used as an access point. Pay special attention to parts of the property adjacent to any wood that may be stored outside your home, as it is an area where termites like to set up home. Exposed wood that makes up the structure of the property should also be examined carefully.
How to check for termites in a house?
Start with areas that are easily visible and able to be checked and pay special attention to solid wood. Though termites will often attempt to patch up the holes they make by eating through wood, they are not always successful so look out for any telltale holes. The use of dirt and their excrement to patch holes will make your wall to have a patch of mud on it. Small piles of unexplained sawdust along the baseboard will also be a sign that your termite inspection is worthwhile. Air bubbles beneath any painted wood is a sign that termites have burrowed beneath to get to the wood.
Where to check for termites?
The dark, damp areas that termites are fond of will also have to be checked so be prepared to examine your attic, basement, crawl space, cupboards, and any area where there are several pipes.
Can termites fly?
Be aware that there are many different species of termites, some of which can fly. Termites travel in swarms and shed their wings when they find a food source that they can burrow into. Look for any piles of wings that may be laying around the external boundary of the building.
Can you inspect your house for termites?
Though it is advisable to instruct a professional to treat your home for termites, it is possible to undertake an initial termite inspection yourself. Taking a few simple steps may allow you to determine whether or not you need to engage an exterminator.
How to keep a termite free home?
Termite inspections are vital to keeping your home termite-free long-term. Let’s look at each step of the inspection process so you’ll know what to expect. 1. Check for Signs of Termite Infestation. After you schedule an inspection, termite inspectors from pest control services will look around and inside the property.
How much does termite treatment cost?
Here are some cost averages for different types of termite treatments: Localized treatments: $120 to $150.
How much does a closing inspection cost?
Real estate closing inspections cost $65 to $100. That cost includes a Wood Destroying Insect Report. The average termite inspection, if not offered free as a promotion, costs around $65-$100, depending on the area you live in and the size of your home.
What are the signs of termites?
Visible termite nests and “mud tubes,” or small tubular structures that connect termite nests to their favorite food source. Signs of hollowness in walls, baseboards, and framing.
Where do termites live?
Extremely common in the U.S. and responsible for most termite damage. These termites live underground in the soil. They are known for building some of the largest nests among insects. The nests are linked to nearby food sources with mud tubes.
Do drywood termites live in wood?
Drywood termites have smaller colonies than subterranean termites. Still, they can cause lots of damage. These termites live in wood instead of soil. The damage they cause takes longer to happen and may not be apparent right away without a professional inspection.
Do termites sleep?
They don’t sleep. They continuously eat wood and build their massive colonies, inflicting over 5 billion dollars of property damage annually in the United States alone. Termite inspections are an essential part of selling a home.
How Do I Prepare My Home for a Termite Treatment?
Termites are destructive pests that can do a significant amount of damage to your home very quickly. An average colony will consume about one foot of 2 x 4 beam every six months and can affect the structural integrity of a home in as little as two to three years. In short, it’s essential to keep your home protected from termites.
Chemical Termite Treatments
There are several chemical options to get rid of termites, including termiticides and gas fumigants. Your pest control professional can complete a termite inspection and help you decide on the best way to treat your home based on the type of termites you have and the extent of the infestation.
Termiticide
Termiticide is an insecticide with active ingredients that attack the termites’ nervous system to kill them. Your exterminator will spray your lawn and the areas around your house, saturating the ground and reaching into the termite tunnels. Termiticide takes little to no preparation and isn’t dangerous to pets or wildlife.
Fumigant
Termite fumigation is a highly effective way to rid your home of termites. During this treatment, your exterminator will surround your home with a tent and release gas. The fumigant will kill any termites present, even those hiding in hard-to-reach places. However, unlike termiticide, you will need to prepare for the treatment.
Preparing Your Home for Fumigant Treatment
Termite treatment fumes can penetrate through cracks and crevices and are unsafe for humans or pets to breathe in. Your food and medicine are also at risk during the fumigation process and must be appropriately protected.
Make Arrangements Away From Your Home
The first step to prepare your home for fumigant termite control is making sure that your home is empty. You, your family, and your pets can’t stay in your home during the termite tenting process, so you’ll need to arrange accommodations elsewhere.
Remove or Protect Food and Other Items
Before treatment begins, you will need to either remove food, medicine, and hygiene products from your home, even if they are unopened or protect them adequately. It’s imperative to check all areas of your home for any food or medication.
How to tell if you have termites?
Some of the ways to discover if you have termites are listed below: Examine, by probing, exposed wood for hollow spots (using a flathead screwdriver or similar tool). Identify termite swarms (sometimes ant swarms are mistaken as termites).
What if a product label does not include instructions to control termites and protect the structure?
If the label does not include directions to control termites and protect the structure, then the product is not intended to protect the structure against termites and should not be applied. If you wish to see a copy of the product label, ask the company representative for a copy.
What is the active ingredient in termite bait?
The most common active ingredients found in termite baits are: Diflubenzuron - inhibits insect development. Hexaflumuron - first active ingredient registered as a reduced-risk pesticide. It is used as part of a termite inspection, monitoring, and baiting system. Also see general fact sheet (PDF) (3 pp, 248.46 K) Exit.
What is termite bait?
In recent years, several bait systems have been introduced to help reduce the overall use of insecticides and their impact on human health and the environment. These systems rely on cellulose baits that contain a slow-acting insecticide. The most common active ingredients found in termite baits are:
Can termiticides be used for barrier treatments?
Termiticides used for barrier treatments must be specifically labeled for that use. If conducted improperly, these treatments can cause contamination of the home and surrounding drinking water wells and will not protect against termites.