subject: Termite Inspection: The Threat Of Invasion [print this page] Proponents of termite inspection can tell any homeowner some true horror stories about what happens when these pests invade a home. Every year, approximately a billion dollars in damage can be attributed directly to these wood-consuming insects. Tremendous structural damage can occur when a colony infests a house. To make things worse, most insurance policies do not cover these invasions, which means the homeowner must pay for treatment and structural repair out of pocket. By having a pest control company come out and take a look at the telltale signs of infestation, you can protect yourself from having to shell out exorbitant amounts of money due to damage.
One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is assuming they don't have a pest control problem just because they've never seen any signs of these insects. While a roach infestation or a colony of ants is fairly easy to see for yourself, these subterranean pests are quite adept at remaining hidden. After all, they aren't after your kitchen crumbs or other bits of food. They are concentrated on eating your actual home. Besides that, they swarm in cycles and may only be out a couple of times a year. It's entirely possible to miss it. Only by having a good pest control company come out and do a thorough termite inspection can you be certain.
Some of the primary signs a termite inspection crew is going to look for include the mud tubes these insects use to travel when they come above ground. They will also, of course, look for any wood that has shown signs of being eaten. Knocking on specific places in the structure can reveal hollow areas where the wall should be solid. They will also look for pinholes in the drywall, which is a very common sign of infestation. You can know these telltale signs, however, and still be unable to determine for yourself whether or not you have a problem. A professional crew knows where to look and what to expect from their years of experience.
If you are thinking of buying a new home, it is advisable to have a termite inspection team come out to the property and clear it for infestation. You don't want to purchase a house that looks great from the outside only to find out later that there is tremendous structural damage on the inside. Talk to your real estate agent about having a pest control crew come out and clear your mind of any suspicions.
