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The Ultimate Guide to Termite Inspections

Termites are often called the "silent destroyer" because they can feast on your home without you even knowing it. But with a professional termite inspection, you can detect an infestation early and prevent major damage. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about termite inspections.

When to Get a Termite Inspection

The best time to get a termite inspection is before you buy a home. A pre-purchase inspection can uncover hidden termite damage or activity. This allows you to negotiate repairs or walk away before investing in a money pit.

Annual inspections are also recommended to monitor any new termite activity. Termites are crafty and can go undetected between major inspections. Catching them early prevents exponential growth of the colony.

Other good times for a termite inspection include:

  • After you move into a new home. Even brand new construction can have termites. An inspection establishes a baseline for future monitoring.

  • Before/after renovations or repairs. Construction often disturbs existing colonies and brings in new ones.

  • Following termite treatments. Regular inspections confirm treatments are working.

  • When selling a home. Inspections satisfy buyers’ requests and lender requirements.

No matter when you schedule it, a termite inspection is one of the best investments you can make as a homeowner. The peace of mind and early detection are well worth the cost.

What to Expect During the Inspection

A thorough termite inspection involves careful examination both inside and outside your home. The inspector looks for signs of current or previous infestations.

Here are some things they’ll check:

  • Wood framing, support beams, and structural timbers

  • Siding, trim, fascia, and eaves

  • Foundation and baseboards

  • Attics and crawlspaces

  • Furniture, books, and other cellulose materials

Inspectors often probe wood with a screwdriver to find hidden tunnels. They also look for discarded wings and mud tubes on exterior walls. Tapping along walls can reveal hollow damaged areas.

Another inspection method is thermal imaging. This detects “hot spots” where termites are active behind walls. The most high-tech tools can even listen for termite sounds.

If any evidence is found, the inspector notes the locations and extent of damage. They can provide repair estimates and advice for treatment options.

6 Signs of a Termite Infestation

Don’t wait for the inspector to point out issues. There are a few common signs of termites you can watch out for:

1. Wood Damage

One obvious sign is wood that is eaten away, forming cracks, holes and weak spots. Tap on trim, columns, decks and other wood features to detect hollow areas. Look for sections that appear to be eroded.

Damage often starts on exterior wood touching the soil. But termites can travel far, invading upstairs floors and interior finishings. Their tunnels may be visible under damaged paint or drywall.

2. Discarded Wings

Swarming termites can sometimes be seen flying around rooms or congregating near windows. They leave large numbers of discarded wings behind. Look for piles of wings around doors, windows, attics or crawlspaces.

3. Mud Tubes

Termites build narrow mud tubes along outside walls or foundations to travel unseen. The tubes provide a moist, protected pathway between their colony and food sources. Tubes are a major red flag for an active infestation.

4. Piles of Pellets

Termite droppings, or frass, resemble little brown or tan pellets. Check attics, crawlspaces and other areas for piles of this debris. It will be found near their nesting and feeding sites.

5. Hollow-Sounding Wood

Use a hammer or other tool to tap along trim, floorboards, studs and support beams. Damaged areas will sound dull and hollow rather than “solid”.

6. Swarmers

Seeing winged termites emerge inside is a sure sign the colony is mature and established within your home. Swarming happens in spring, with hundreds of winged reproductive termites taking flight.

4 Places Termites Love to Nest

To mount a defense, it helps to know where to look for these home-wrecking pests. Here are some of their favorite haunts:

Crawlspaces and Basements

Crawlspaces offer ideal dark, damp conditions for subterranean termites. They also provide direct access to wood framing, floor joists and support beams. Regular inspections of crawlspaces and unfinished basements are a must.

Attics

Drywood termites favor hot, dry attic spaces. They form nests in attic framing and feed on wood trim, flooring and wall framing at ceiling level. Their frass may be found on attic insulation or walls.

Hollow Wood Components

Doors, window frames, decorative shutters and wood siding all can contain prime nesting space for drywood termites. Colonies may go for years inside hollow voids before being detected.

Near Moisture Sources

Leaky roofs, pipes and AC units create damp wood that subterranean termites love. They also build tubes along concrete where condensation occurs. Kitchens, baths and laundry rooms near sinks and plumbing warrant close inspection.

Being aware of these hot spots can help homeowners spot early signs of an infestation. Don’t ignore small amounts of sawdust-like frass or temporary “swarmers”. Taking prompt action prevents major headaches down the road.

What Does a Termite Inspection Cost?

A professional inspection typically costs $75 to $200 for most single-family homes. Here are some factors that affect the price:

  • Size of home – Larger square footage takes more time to inspect thoroughly.

  • Location – Inspections cost more in major metro areas.

  • Scope of inspection – A basic visual inspection is cheaper than using thermal/acoustic imaging.

  • Access issues – Limitations like lack of an attic ladder or crawlspace add labor costs.

  • Infestation status – An inspection confirming active termites costs more due to treatment recommendations needed.

  • Time of year – Peak seasons like spring and summer may have slight price increases.

Additional services like follow-up inspections or installing termite monitoring systems add to the base cost. But the expense is minor compared to repairing termite damage down the road.

6 Tips to Prevent Termites

While inspections are crucial, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to termites. Here are some DIY tips to make your home less inviting:

1. Eliminate Wood Contact with Soil

Subterranean termites need this contact to gain entry from the ground. Replace wood mulch beds, wooden trellises and other wood touching soil with gravel or stone.

2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Clogged gutters cause moisture buildup and wood rot – irresistible to termites. Keep them clear and make sure downspouts direct water well away from your foundation.

3. Ventilate Attics, Crawlspaces and Basements

Proper air circulation and dehumidification discourage termites in damp areas. Make sure vents aren't blocked and consider adding fans to improve airflow.

4. Fix Plumbing Leaks

Promptly repair any leaks along pipes, fixtures, appliances or the roof. Eliminate damp conditions that attract termites.

5. Install Vapor Barriers

Cover exposed soil in crawlspaces with thick plastic sheeting. This moisture barrier blocks termites from tunneling up from the ground.

6. Treat Wood During Construction

Have untreated lumber and wood components pretreated with borate solutions or have termite-resistant materials installed. This provides long-term protection against termites.

With diligence and preventative maintenance, you can avoid becoming a victim of these voracious pests. But don’t skip the professional inspections! Routine monitoring is the only sure way to catch an infestation before your home’s structure is compromised.

When to Call in the Professionals

DIY measures help deter termites, but they can't eliminate an active infestation. At the first sign of termites, contact a licensed professional exterminator. They have the tools and experience to:

  • Thoroughly inspect inside walls, attics, crawlspaces and other areas homeowners can’t access. Advanced detection methods find termites you may miss.

  • Identify the type of termites since treatment methods vary. There are different species with unique behaviors.

  • Pinpoint the colony location(s). This takes expertise to interpret termite activity patterns.

  • Apply proven treatments like liquid barrier termiticides, baits or wood preservatives. Knowledge of building codes and proper application methods is crucial.

  • Schedule follow-up inspections and retreatments for complete eradication. Most termite problems require repeat visits over months to exterminate a colony.

Attempting DIY treatments with store-bought products often fails. Termites can avoid treated areas and scatter into other hidden nesting spots. This worsens the infestation and makes it harder to eliminate. Don't take chances with these destructive pests.

When to Walk Away From a Termite-Infested Home

Finding termites is not necessarily a deal breaker if purchasing a home. But severe structural damage often makes repairs too costly to take on.

  • Load-bearing framing, beams or foundation walls are compromised. Repairs involve major rebuilding.

  • Termites have spread throughout a large portion of the home. Treatment and repairs will be intensive.

  • The seller is unwilling to negotiate repairs and treatment costs.

  • You find signs like mud tubes and extensive hollow areas indicating a major, long-term infestation.

On the other hand, minor damage confined to trim, drywall or small sections of framing may be fixable. If the seller agrees to pay for professional treatment and repairs prior to closing, the home could still be worth buying.

The key is having a thorough inspection done so you know the full extent of damage before committing. Don't rely on what the naked eye can see; use an expert to uncover all evidence.

Maintaining Vigilance after Treatment

Eradicating termites requires patience and vigilance. Even after treatment, they can persist in overlooked areas. Regular monitoring and follow-up treatments continue for several months or more, depending on the case.

During this time, be alert for:

  • New mud tubes or swarmers

  • Live termites found in or around the home

  • Additional damaged wood

  • Changes made to the home like remodeling, additions, etc.

Your inspector will outline a follow-up schedule and check for reinfestation. Don't cancel appointments or assume termites are gone based on a lack of obvious signs. Stay the course to be certain the colony is eliminated.

Preventative termite control should also continue indefinitely through regular inspections. Early detection of the next infestation lets you quickly knock it out before major harm occurs.

Termites Can Be Beat!

Termite inspection and control takes diligence, but it's one of the best things you can do as a homeowner. Stopping these destructive insects in their tracks prevents incredible headaches down the road. Be proactive by:

  • Having annual inspections

  • Fixing moisture problems

  • Keeping wood off soil

  • Ventilating enclosed areas

With early intervention and professional treatment, termites don't stand a chance! You'll protect your valuable investment and have peace of mind. Don't let the "silent destroyer" catch you off guard.