Termites can wreak havoc on a home, utterly destroying the wooden structure, and causing thousands of dollars in repair costs. To safeguard yourself from paying through the nose for damage created by termites, setting up a routine termite inspection will catch any infestations early and can be quickly eradicated from your property. The longer a termite colony is allowed to eat away at your home, the more damage they create and the more difficult the infestation can be eliminated. Knowing what areas of your home will be inspected by a professional will help you know how to prepare, and what to expect before the termite control pro arrives at your home.
An initial thorough termite inspection
A professional termite inspection will begin in places that may already appear to have damage under the surface. Keeping a note of spots of concern that you may have noticed and directing the exterminator to these locations will be very helpful during the inspection. Places such as:
- Baseboards or paneling that appears warped, hollow, or has water damage
- Wooden floors that dip or bend
- Blistered wood
A termite control pro will also be interested in looking in any areas with high moisture such as under sinks, in bathrooms, and in the laundry room. Termites need to have some sort of access to water so places where water is present is often where colonies can be found. If you have any leak in the house, this would be good information to give to the technician during an inspection.
Crawl spaces, unused cabinets, the attic, and garage are all places the termite control pro will look through, taking note of any possible signs of termites. After the interior is thoroughly inspected, the technician will want to look around the exterior of your home. Termites can live in mulch and leaf litter and if it is up next to the house, termites will use it while looking for a way to enter your home near the foundation. A tell tell sign of termites that many people recognize is mud tubes along the foundation. Because termites stay out of light, they create these tunnels to cover themselves while they enter your home through tiny entry points.
Options to consider before treatment begins
In a professional termite inspection, the technician will talk with you about the notes they made during the inspection and all your options on moving forward. The pro will discuss things, such as:
- Whether or not termites were found on the premises
- Where potential risks are around the home and how to eliminate the possibilities of future infestations
- Treatment options to eradicate the infestation
- Treatment to prevent future infestations
- Damage assessment and repair options
Knowing what you should expect from a professional termite inspection will help you prepare for the technician’s arrival. Understanding that you will be brought in on the decision making before any treatment or action is taken is a key comfort when you have hired a professional termite exterminator with excellent customer service and consideration. For San Diego County residents, if you want over the top consideration for you and your family, while delivering a powerful blow to the termite population in your home, give the licensed pros at Nixtermite a call to set up your professional termite inspection today.
