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Preparing For a Termite Inspection

A termite infestation can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. By the time you see the signs of the infestation, a great deal of damage may already have been done. Regular termite inspections by a professional termite control company is the best way to spot signs of termites early and take action to remove them before extensive damage occurs. Each company will have its own way of carrying out the inspection, but there are basic actions that they all do. By doing your part in preparing the house for the inspection you can make the process go faster and help the inspector do his job efficiently. Here’s how to go about it.



Provide Access

  • Garages are often messy and cluttered. Move everything 2 feet away for the walls to allow the inspector to have a clear view of where the walls meet the floor slab. The expansion joints are a common point of entry for termites.
  • The attic is another place that is often cluttered. Use the inspection to get rid of all the unwanted junk and tidy up the place. This will give you more usable space, reduce places where termites could nest and above all make it easier for the inspector to do a thorough inspection.
  • If your house has a raised foundation, the inspector will have to go under the house to look for signs of termites. Clear away anything that could block access to the crawl space.
  • Clear anything kept under the bathroom and kitchen sinks so the inspector can check for signs of leakage and evidence of termites.

What the Inspector Will Look For

The inspector is a trained expert who will be able to spot signs of termite that you may not notice. That being said, no one knows your house as well as you do so spending some time looking for the following signs of termites and informing the inspector of anything you may find will help him to work faster and complete the inspection quickly to reduce the disruption to the home routine. Look for:

·         Signs of termites:

    • Termite droppings
    • Evidence of swarms (such as discarded wings)
    • Mud tubes
    • Hollow or damaged wood
    • Live termites
·         Potential termite access points:

    • Cracks in the foundation around plumbing
    • Expansion joints (found in the garage and other places)
    • Hollow block walls
    • The side of foundation walls and piers
  • Conditions that may lead to future termite infestations:
    • Plumbing leaks
    • Wood-to-soil contact

Questions to ask the Inspector

If termites are found, ask the following questions so you know exactly what the control process will involve:

 o   What treatment is going to be used?

   o   How extensive is the infestation?

   o   What will the treatment cost?

   o   Are there options to provide for extended protection?

   o   What type of guarantee is given?

   o   How long will it take and how will the household be disrupted?


Regular termite inspections and control measures by experts are the best way to protect your home and your family.

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