When is it Time for a Termite Inspection?
Did you hear about the termite who was a standup comedian? He brought the house down!
Having termites is no joke (despite the many jokes that we have as pest control specialists). These dangerous insects work quickly and aggressively once infesting your home, and for many homeowners their presence can go undetected for months until it is too late and the damage is critical. A huge part of termite control is taking the steps to ensure that these insects never invade your home in the first place. And the best way to accomplish this is by scheduling regular termite inspections. Getting prepared for these termite inspections isn’t difficult, but there are a few things that you can do as a homeowner to help things move a little more smoothly.
Prepping for your Termite Inspection
While these steps aren’t exactly necessary, they will help to make the inspection as hassle free for you and our inspectors as possible!
Rearranging
Like most people you probably store cleaning supplies under your kitchen sink and under the sinks in your bathroom. Termite inspectors will need to have to access these areas in order to check your water sources for termite activity, so it is best for you to remove anything you have stored under your sinks before the inspection. Another area that might need to be rearranged is inside your garage. Make sure that anything you may have stored against the walls is moved away so the inspector can easily assess the area for potential damage.
Attic Access
Another area that the inspector will want to look at is you attic. If you have anything that may be blocking the entrance to this area it should be cleared away. It is also important for you to make sure that the area is free from debris and nothing could fall on the inspector while he or she is working
Make the Crawl Space Perfect for Crawling
If your house is built on a raised foundation it is important to make sure you clear the opening and move any items that may block the entrance. Then make sure that nothing that may impede the inspectors work is left inside of the crawl space.
Landscaping
The last thing that you can do to make sure your inspection is as hassle free as possible is to trim any bushes or ground cover that may conceal exterior walls or the foundation from view.
What to Expect When Termite Inspecting
When it comes to the termite inspection itself, the time can very depending on the size of your home. At Sigma Pest we pride ourselves on being extremely detail oriented and thorough during our inspections. We suggest blocking out at least an hour and a half to two hours minimum in order for the inspector to be able to cover your property extensively for any signs of termite damage. The inspector will look at both the interior and exterior areas of your home for termite droppings, mud tubes, broken wings, and damaged wood, all signs that termites are present.
When checking the interior of your home the inspector will pay attention to your baseboards, door frames, walls, crawl spaces, windows, inside of your cabinets and also inside of closets. During this process it is important for the inspector to have full access to your home including the garage and attic. They will also pay special attention to bathrooms, utility rooms, and kitchens because these are common places that the subterranean species of termites use to gain access to your home.
After the inspector is done examining the inside of your home for signs of termites they will move to the exterior. They will closely examine your homes foundation and the walls and eaves of the house. During this search they are not just looking for damage to wood but also for mud tubes on the foundation of your home. After finishing their survey of the house itself they will then move on to the surrounding property and yard to make sure those areas are clear of signs indicating termite activity.
Once the inspector has finished checking each of these areas they will then sit down with you to let you know the findings. If there is an infestation, we will discuss the proper treatment to handle the termite problem that you are facing. In some cases where there is not an infestation, treatment may still be recommend to prevent termites all together and preemptively keep your home safe from these pesky little pests.
Termite Prevention
Our experts at Sigma Pest will also work with you and give you advice on how to best prevent future termite infestations within your home. Some of these practices include things such as:
Saying Goodbye to Excess Moisture
Some species of termites flock towards excess moisture so It is important to repair leaky faucets immediately and to not let water build up near the foundation of your home. You should also keep your gutters clear and utilize downspouts in order to divert any water away from your home. Another thing you can do is make sure that the soil around your home is graded, this will also aid in keeping water away from your homes foundation.
Recycle Old Cardboard
Cardboard can be another food source for termites so it is important not to leave old cardboard laying around in your garage and attic and to keep the amount of cardboard in your home to a minimum.
Repair your Roof and Attic
It is also very important to repair broken roof tiles, these tiles along with attic entrances can expose wooden beams within the attic and provide an easy access point for termites to enter your home.
Keeping your Landscape Picturesque
Another way to prevent termite infestation is to not let wood debris, mulch, or firewood come into contact with the exterior of your home. This means removing any old or dead tree stumps from your property. It is also important to try and prevent any wood to soil contact both on your home and with any fence that may be along your property line. It is also important to regularly trim your trees and bushes so they do not come into wood surfaces on the house, giving the termites an easy entry point into your home.
Pay Attention to the Signs
One of the best ways to tell if you are experiencing a termite problem is to look in your window sills for discarded wings and to check your home’s exterior for mud tubes. It is also important for you to pay attention to any floorboards that sound hollow or unusual.
Schedule an Annual Termite Inspection With our Trained Team of Professionals
Professional termite inspectors are trained to spot the signs of a termite problem from miles away. At Sigma Pest we use integrated pest management to help keep your home safe from any and all insect infestations, including termites. If you think you are having a termite problem or want to act preemptively to prevent a termite problem from arising, give us a call! We work hard to help you keep your home safe from termites and other pests and we love to help you gain control over your home once again.
