Termites cause damage to an estimated 600,000 homes in the United States every year, with an estimated $30 billion in damage to crops and man-made structures. The average homeowner is on the hook for over $3,000 in termite repairs that home insurance doesn’t typically cover.
How can you avoid being left to pay for termites?
Homeowners in the Triangle and Triad should reach out to a professional termite control company to perform an annual termite inspection. An annual inspection can help prevent costly damage by catching any potential infestations and allowing for early treatment.
What Does a Termite Inspection Look For?
A termite inspection looks for the visible signs of a current termite infestation or a past termite infestation. Whether it’s dry wood termites burrowing deep within your home or subterranean termites digging underground, these intruders all have tell-tale signs they’re in your home.
Signs include:
- Hollow-sounding wood
- Discolored or dropping drywall
- Peeling paint
- Small, pin-sized holes in walls
- Loose tiles or buckling wooden or laminate boards
- Overly squeaky floorboards
- Maze-like patterns in floorboards, walls, and furniture
- Small piles that resemble salt and pepper
- Wings left behind by swarmers
- Mud tubes on the exterior of your home
- Termite swarms
If there’s the potential for a termite infestation, you should sign up for termite control services.
The Importance of Termite Inspections for New Home Buyers
When purchasing a new home, some lending institutions will require a termite inspection. Even if your lending institution does not, you should still request a termite inspection anyways. If the home hasn’t been properly guarded against termites, you might be purchasing a home that’s riddled with expensive damage.
What to Expect During a Termite Inspection
When you request a termite inspection, a trained termite inspector will be sent to your home. They will review your home from top-to-bottom for signs of termite activity, both past and present. In addition to looking for current termite infestations, your termite inspector will also check for areas that may potentially lead to an infestation.
Potential areas can include:
- Standing water on the roof
- Water pooling around the foundation
- Moisture in your crawl space or basement
- Wood mulch too close to the foundation of your home