Everything You Need to Know About Termite Inspections
What is a Termite Inspection?
A termite inspection is a professional evaluation of a property to identify active termites, damage, and conditions that increase infestation risk. Termites are extremely destructive pests, causing billions of dollars’ worth of property damage in the United States each year. The tricky thing about termites, though, is that they are very good at hiding. One reason they’re able to do so much damage is that homeowners often don’t even realize they have a termite infestation until it’s too late. A termite inspection addresses this issue. When a home is inspected annually by an expert termite technician, it’s easier to catch an infestation before it’s truly entrenched, and before significant and costly damage occurs. Having an inspection is a smart move, because it helps protect your property’s long-term health and it may actually protect you legally; some states require it before a real estate transaction.
How Termite Inspections Work
During a termite inspection, a licensed termite control technician thoroughly examines your home or building, conducting a comprehensive visual exam and using specialized tools to look for termite activity. These termite professionals have undergone extensive training in termite biology and behavior, so they know how to seek out and identify active termites and find existing damage. It’s a fairly straightforward process, with the technician going over your house, closely examining all the spots where termites are likely to hide.
Signs You Need a Termite Inspection
You need a termite inspection if you notice mud tubes, discarded wings, hollow wood, pinholes, or if your home has not been inspected in the last year. If you notice wings in your windowsill, pinpoint holes in your walls, mud tubes on your home’s exterior, or wood that sounds hollow, you are overdue for a termite inspection. That’s the problem, and the point: termite inspections find signs of termites that would otherwise be missed until after the home is already damaged. Termites work quickly and essentially invisibly, so if you have a house, you need a termite inspection, even if you don’t notice any signs of their presence.
What to Expect During a Termite Inspection
During termite inspections, the inspectors need access to most of the homes they inspect, but they’re careful to talk to the homeowners about where they’re going before they enter any part of the property. Your termite inspector will respect your privacy and abide by local and federal health and safety regulations when performing the inspection. The inspection will include an examination of the exterior of your property, as the inspector looks for vulnerable areas and signs of infestation, like mud tubes on the exterior walls. Other key areas that will need to be accessed include the attic, crawlspace, garage, and under the sinks. He or she will be looking not only for signs of an infestation, but also problems like excess moisture, poor ventilation, and cracks where termites could gain entry to the home. Decks, porches, storage sheds, and balconies are also examined during a termite inspection. The inspector will check your hardwood floors, staircases, door frames, window casings, subfloor, and any other wooden structures where termites may be hiding.
How to Prepare for the Termite Inspection Process
The termite inspection is non-destructive, but the inspector will need access to different parts of your home. Tidying up and rearranging a few things to make it easier for the technician to work will save time and help the process go smoothly. Clear out under your sink, try to move things away from the garage walls, and make it easy to access your crawlspace or basement and attic.
How Often Should You Get a Termite Inspection
Most experts recommend getting a termite inspection once per year, especially in high‑risk areas like the Bay Area. It is the general consensus that homes should be inspected for termites annually, to prevent infestations from gaining a foothold. This is especially important in older homes and homes with prior infestation. Talk to your technician after the inspection, so that you can craft a plan together to keep your home safe and termite-free.
Why Professional Termite Inspections are Essential
Once a professional termite inspection has been completed, if you’ve been observant, you might think you’ve got it all under control and have no more need for professional inspections. In truth, homeowners often miss signs of termites, even if they know what to look for in terms of infestations. A termite inspector serves as another set of eyes — very experienced eyes — to notice things you might overlook.
What Happens After An Inspection?
Once the technician has completed the inspection, he or she will go over the results with the homeowners. Vulnerabilities will be highlighted, and advice will be given, for preventing future infestations. The technician representing the termite control company will discuss proactive measures to keep termites at bay, including best practices around the house as well as preventive treatments.
Contact MightyMite Services for a Free Termite Inspection
If you are a homeowner in the Bay Area, contact MightyMite Termite Services for a free termite inspection. At MightyMite, we’ve earned a reputation as experts in California termite control, performing termite inspections and working hard to help our clients keep their homes free from termites. We diagnose and treat infestations with the most effective methods and unmatched warranties, using environmentally low-impact treatments when possible and solving your termite problems the first time, with an industry best “no call-back rate.” That, combined with our experience, technology, and highly trained professional staff, makes us the leading extermination company in the Bay Area. We understand that your home is your most important investment, so we work hard to provide excellent service, utilizing best practices to solve your termite problems. To schedule an inspection or learn more about our services, contact us through our website.