Termite Inspection: Identifying Infestations and Hiring a Good Inspector

Termites are small and leave only traces of their presence behind them. First, you need to identify these bugs correctly. Look for small insects about the size of an ant. They will have straight bodies, unlike an ant. They may also have wings, which should be roughly twice the size of their bodies. These insects can be cream-colored or different shades of brown depending on what type of termite they are.

Next, you need to know where to find these pests. Start your search on all of the exterior wood to your house. Be sure to check door frames, windows, skirting boards, wooden porches and furniture, or anything on the outside that is wooden. Check if you can see any piles of material resembling sawdust around these areas. If you do, you may have located a colony of termite activity. Also, they tend to work outside of easy view. Therefore, check in crevasses, inside the framework, and behind the drywall.

From the inside, check the wall board and paint. If you notice the covering being uneven and wavy, you may have found a colony. One may also search for mud tubes that can be formed from the wooden portion of your home to determine the presence of infestations. If you have found any of these signs, the next immediate step to take is to contact a professional termite inspector. Any delay will only further the damage and put your home more at risk.

In order to find a qualified inspector, look in the yellow pages under ‘Pest Control’. Make sure the company is insured, bonded, and licensed before hiring. You may also contact a local real estate agent for a referral. This will often prove to be the safest bet, seeing that the real estate agency will have had so much experience in dealing with pest control companies.

Afterwards, call several different companies to get price quotes. Make sure you specify what kind of services you require. One may be merely getting a termite inspection to sell a house, or another may need to have an extensive search in order to properly take care of the pest problem. Also, to ensure quality service, ask about warranties the company offers if the infestation returns before the next service call. They may have monthly termite inspection deals.

Finally, select a company and ask for customer referrals. Making calls to previous customers can be one’s greatest insight to the quality of the company’s quality. Ask about how effectively they handled the termite problem, if the problem ever returned and how they fixed it, the cost, and their suggestions on what treatments to have.

Learning that termites are dwelling within your walls can be a frightening thought. But if you take these measures and routinely search for any signs, hopefully you can catch the pests before they cause too much damage. Acting quickly and effectively will ensure that little is destroyed and your home will remain a safe place to live.