Most homeowners believe that there aren’t any termites in their homes because they can’t see them. However, termites aren’t all that easy to detect. They are specialists at finding ways into your home that you wouldn’t know about. Once settled in, they will lay eggs and begin to infest your home. You may be wondering, do I need a termite inspection every year?
Signs of termite activity may be hard to find, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Even if you bought a new home, an annual termite inspection is worthwhile.
Do I Need a Termite Inspection Every Year?
Home Sweet Home
Termites like to take up residence in dark, damp places like crawl spaces or dry wood on the interior or exterior of a home. Oftentimes, termites are present and quite at home under sinks and appliances. They can also burrow and climb.
Termites like to eat cellulose which is a plentiful organic compound. Because wood is made from cellulose, wood mulch around a house or a wooden frame home is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for termites.
Prevention
Prevention is better than termite treatment. Failing to hire a professional termite inspector can save you a penny in the short term. However, you might end up having to spend more when you have to hire a termite control company to handle a termite infestation.
Be sure to find out the cost of a termite inspection before it’s too late. Some companies even offer free termite inspections.
Termites can destroy a building before you know they are there. Do some research to find out what the different species of termites look like and the regions they like to live in. If you find a specimen, show it to the professionals.
A termite and pest control company knows what to look for and know how to prevent an infestation. An inspector will check for evidence, such as termite droppings or mud tubes that might suggest what stage the infestation is in. Early-stage infestations are easier to treat, which is why termite inspection is important.
Evidence
Even if you identify common signs of termites, the professionals will know where to look for the less noticeable signs of a termite problem. The professionals will know where these wood-destroying pests hide. Termite damage includes oil marks and smudges, tiny dots of blood, microscopic feces, piles of termite wings, and abandoned shells.
Vulnerabilities
The professionals will be able to see if the conditions on your property will make you vulnerable to termites. They will be able to show you how to take preventative steps and change those conditions to safeguard your home.
Not only will the professionals know what to look for, but they will also be able to assess any structural damage caused by termites and give you insight into how bad it is. This information will inform the plan on how to proceed.
Trained Killers
Pest control professionals have a variety of techniques to employ against a termite nest or infestation. Some of those techniques focus on termite life cycles. More termite life stages will be present in accordance with the size of the termite population.
Extermination may take days, weeks, or even months. The professionals will have a protocol for each eradication scenario.
Property Values
A routine annual inspection will safeguard you from nasty surprises when your home is inspected for resale. The paperwork should record any treatments that were done, how, and where.
Being able to show prospective buyers annual inspection documents or certificates will also give them peace of mind about your home before a real estate transaction is made. They could even give your property a competitive advantage.
Delays between inspections will allow termites the opportunity to munch on your home’s foundation and cause thousands of dollars of damage.
This is Not a DIY Project
It is tempting to avoid calling the exterminators and apply termiticides yourself. Oftentimes this is a case of too little too late. Termites will learn to bypass the contaminated areas. Not to mention, termiticides are not quite an effective barrier against infestations.
The best course of action is to call the termite professionals to evaluate and assess the extent of the problem. Thereafter, an annual inspection will just be about maintenance and prevention, rather than reconstructing your home.
Additional Reading: Termites: How to Identify and Control Them
Hire a Professional Company ABC Termite & Pest Control – Local Pest Control Exterminators in Omaha & Lincoln
Find a reputable termite inspection company in Omaha or Lincoln that you TRUST and ask about their pest management services. You may think you are saving money however, a single misapplication could have significant and adverse or deadly consequences for you or your loved ones. Contact ABC Termite & Pest Control in Omaha & Lincoln, NE today!