What Areas Do Termite Inspectors Inspect?
Termites can do tremendous damage to your home without your knowledge. A termite inspector generally is looking for evidence of insects and organisms that destroy wood.This could include carpenter ants as well. Does this Spark an idea?
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Areas
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An inspector will view all visually accessible interior and exterior areas of your home, including basements, crawlspaces and attics. Termites like to eat wood from the inside out, so often they may go unnoticed. They may also look for quantities of termite wings that may have been shed during migration.
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Method
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An inspector may tap on wood areas with a hammer to listen for hollow sounds. If the hammer punches a hole in the wood, this may also be an indicator of damage. Some inspectors have been known to use a stethoscope to listen to rafters in a house.
Treatment
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Chemical sprays can help create a barrier between the ground and your home. In-ground baiting systems are also popular. They are made of cellulose treated with a chemical inhibitor that, when eaten, stops the growth cycle of termites and eventually kills the colony.
Prevention
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A liquid termiticide can be applied to the foundation of new homes before concrete being poured. Providing proper drainage, correcting earth-to-wood contact areas and removing foam boards and cellulose debris from crawlspaces can reduce your chances of developing an infestation.
Considerations
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Termites can live in very cold climates, so do not presume that you are excluded because your home is located in a northern state such as Michigan or Alaska.
References
- Photo Credit "bailout - it's the homeowners in that are in distress" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: woodleywonderworks (woodley wonderworks) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
