You don’t have to actually have termites to call about getting termite inspections. In fact, it is a good idea to get into the habit of having your home inspected annually. That way, if termites are found, they may not have had a chance to do too much damage, and they can be gotten rid of easier.
There are a few ways that termites are exterminated. There are some methods that you can use yourself, but they are not guaranteed to work. The only way to know for sure that you have gotten rid of termites if you have them is to have a professional come in and get rid of them for you.
What Happens in a Termite Inspection?
When you get someone to come in and do a termite inspection, he or she is going to do a visual inspection of the areas in the home that would be most attractive to termites, such as any structural parts made from wood. Usually, the interior of the home will be inspected, as well as certain parts of the exterior, such as around the perimeter of the foundation. Once the inspection is complete, the results are reported. It should take about 30 to 45 minutes for a complete termite inspection, depending on the size of the property and how cluttered it is.
If you live in an area that is prone to drywood termites, the inspection may also include the attic (if you have one and there are no sub areas in the home). Even though most people think of termites as living closer to the ground, inspectors do look for drywood termite pellets (feces), which are often found on some surfaces and spider webs that are near eaves in the attic.
It is extremely important to have the inspection done by professionals, as they really know what to look for. There may in fact be damage that you are unable to see, but it can be found during a routine inspection by an exterminator.
It’s a Cold Climate…Do I Really Need a Termite Inspection?
Many people think that termites are not able to survive in cold climates, so if they live in colder states, they feel that they do not have to bother having their homes inspected for termites. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Termites can actually live in extremely cold climates. Instead of dying, they go into a hibernation state. Termites have been found in Alaska, and studies have shown that about one in every 15 Chicago area homes has termites.
Getting Rid of Termites
If you have had your home inspected for termites, and it is found that you do indeed have them, there are a few ways that exterminators can go about getting rid of them. If you have subterranean termites, the most common treatment is a chemical one. The treatment creates a barrier between the wood and the termite colony. The chemicals are placed in the soil on both sides of foundation elements, and it is injected beneath the soil at about 16 inches down. Holes are also drilled into hollow masonry block foundations so termiticide can be injected into block voids, again creating a protective barrier.
Another popular method of getting rid of subterranean termites is to use in-ground baiting systems. Cellulose bait stations are placed around the perimeter of the home, and the worker termites leave scent trails to let other termites know that there is food to be had. Then, the cellulose is replaced with poison, and the termites bring it back to the rest of the colony. The poison keeps termites from being able to grow and molt, and they die.
Get Your Home Inspected for Termites Now
If you are a home owner, make sure that one of the things you do annually is to have your home inspected for termites. Having annual inspections can mean the difference between not having termites at all and spending a lot of money on home repairs due to termite damage.
Termite inspections are not overly expensive, and you can save money by calling around for quotes from different companies to make sure that you are getting the best deal going.