Termite Inspection

Guard Your Home's Value With Routine Termite Inspections

One of the most terrible issues homeowners could ever have to deal with is the hazard of termite infestation. In fact, subterranean termites are the most plentiful wood-destroying organisms in the United States, accounting for billions of dollars worth of damage each year. The majority of the damage happens from the colony feeding on the wood inside your home, but other damage can also occur to trees, your insulation, books, paper, plants and even your swimming pool's filtration system.

Luckily, there's good news, provided you can catch the problem before it gets too severe. It can often take a few years before the colony can create any real damage, but left untreated, it can practically wipe out the value of your house, making selling it unfeasible. Homeowners must identify the warning signs of infestation as well as how to prevent and eliminate the potential threat of these detrimental pests.

Due to the destructive character of termites, it's advisable to have a specialist pest control company do a yearly inspection, even if you've had no prior signs of invasion. To the common homeowner, termites are very hard to spot, difficult to exterminate and almost impossible to keep from re-infesting. It's unquestionably in your best interest to defer to a professional with the understanding, equipment and experience to do the job right the first time. Also, many service companies will offer a guarantee once you're on an established inspection schedule, promising to get rid of any existing or future problems at no additional charge. Some even go as far as offering to compensate for any damage incurred while under contract. Keep in mind, though, it's important to maintain a regular inspection schedule, checking frequently for any signs of infestation. After all, you're protecting the biggest investment your family will ever make.

Although termites are exceedingly difficult to spot, their handiwork is often quite visible around the home. Look for what many refer to as Mud Tubes, Shelter Tubes or Termite Tubes. These are smartly constructed runways, usually about an inch wide, that the termites use as a passageway from the soil outside your home, directly into the house. This allows the colony to move through a protected tunnel into your home, shielding them from external elements such as high temperatures and other natural predators, such as ants. Other signs include small holes on the surface of your walls, paint bubbles and a powdery matter that looks like sawdust on the ground by your walls. Any of these signs are an indication that you may have a dilemma. The best way to check is to tap the structural segment of the wall with a hammer. If you have a hollow sound, you more than likely have termites.

Since termite damage is a protracted process, there's no need to panic at the first indication of possible infestation. Take some time in deciding how to deal with the problem. Decide for yourself whether you're best equipped to handle the situation, or you'd rather turn it over to a professional. Those choosing outside help should get at least three estimates, keeping in mind that any warranty offered is only as dependable as the company offering it. Do-it-yourselfers have several options as well, including liquid treatments, bait treatments and borate treatments, although these remedies are most efficient during the building process and not on current infestations in older homes.

Liquid is the oldest method of treatment, but with the invention in modern bait products, it may not automatically be your best option. As opposed to the Liquid Treatment, which uses a chemical called termiticide to create a barricade around the house, bait treatments eliminate the entire colony by design. Put bait stakes in the ground, near any location where you suspect termites. Initially, wood fills the bait stakes. If termites are present, pesticides replace the wood to infect the entire colony. The drawback to bait treatment is that it is a lengthy process and needs monitoring on a regular basis.

About the Author

Find a great home in Arizona: Benson Nearly New Homes for Sale and Canada Hills Golf Properties and Catalina Foothills Estates Gated Homes for Sale.

Termite Inspection

[simpleaffiliate source="cj" results="5"]termite inspection[/simpleaffiliate]
[simpleaffiliate source="clickbank" results="5"]termite inspection[/simpleaffiliate]