termite inspection

When Was Your Last Termite Inspection?

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termite inspection

 

Termites driving you crazy? Get rid of them with a termite inspection from Home Pro Inspections.

In the prevention of expensive repairs and large-scale damage, an annual termite inspection is necessary. When was your last termite inspection?

If you are a home buyer, having the home inspected for termites damage beforehand can save the expense of doing it later. The inspection decreases the risk of infestation and assesses the conditions which make your property receptive of ants, rodents, bedbugs and other insects.

In the United States, 49 out of the 50 states have active termites. Alaska is too cold for them, so they have none. If you are planning on selling your property, the inspection aids in fixing the damage in time and stop the infestation from affecting the resale value of your property. In fact, the real estate agent is to have this conducted upon you purchasing the home. 

The American Society of Home Inspectors is the oldest society of home inspectors. There are training courses on wood-destroying organisms that teach home inspectors how to identify wood destroying organisms like termites. The inspectors at Home Pro Inspections are licenced and experienced to carry out your inspection. 

Signs Of Termite Infestation

Flying termites – The first sign of this is flying termites. We call these swarmers or alates. The male and female that have left their nests to find mates often find a new abode close to or in your home. How you will know they are present is by their discarded wings. Winged termites lose their wings after finding a mate.

Mud Tubes – Wherever the ground meets the home or any available space between the house, like a shed, a pencil-sized tube known as a mud tube is present. Subterranean termites nest underground and fodder to their food source that is a house structure. The tunnels they create cause a blockage to the cool and dry air getting inside your home, and that gives them an atmosphere to survive in. These prefer to live underground in soil, particularly your garden and under your house.

Drywood termite – These termites nest inside of wood. While nesting in it, they eat it and cause wood damage. To stay clean, they create kick-out holes where they dispose of their droppings (or waste). And because what these termites eat is wood, what they pass out is also wood. This then creates mounds of pellets resembling sawdust. This resemblance is the sign of a dry-wood infestation.

Tight-fitting doors and hard to open windows – People use the damp weather to explain away the tightness of the door and the hard window, but termite problems can also cause this. The eating and tunneling through the doors and windows cause the wood to deform.

Dangers Of Exposure To Termites

Although the termites may bite and sting, their wounds are not toxic. The damage from them comes when they leave droplets around the home, and their tunneling causes a change in the air quality of the home. People living in homes with an infestation problem can suffer from allergic reactions and even have an asthma attack in the household because of the humid temperature. Get termite treatment and put pest control measures in place to avoid this.

What Attracts Termites

Termites feed on wood and cellulose materials. These are in every home. Some things that attract them are:

Clogged Gutters – The soft spot created by the rotting twigs and leaves in the gutter on the roof gives way to the termites in the home. Cleaning gutters lower the risk factor of them invading the home.

Piles of Wood – Woodpiles can help in drawing termites closer to your home. They will then migrate from the wood to the house itself and cause substantial damage. To avoid this, it is best to have the wood placed far away from the housing structure and have it elevated from the ground.

Tree Limbs and Leaves – Tree limbs and leaves create a pathway for the termites to get to the house when they lean over on the house and touch the roof. They can then travel down from the ground and into the house.

Moist Soil – There is usually a lot of moisture at the foundation of your home. This is what will attract termites. It is vital to keep the soil next to where your house is built as dry as possible. So, we ask that you repair any leaking faucets or pipes.

How To Keep Your Home Termite Free

Monitor your wooden household furniture – We saw at the beginning of this post that termites love wood. Some species use the wooden objects as their home, building nests or as their food source. In keeping your home infestation-free, ensure you get your home inspected regularly to prevent an infection.

Store Wooden Items Well – Wooden and board items are a haven for termites to live in. Store them away from walls and windows. Place them in the garage cabinet in hard-to-reach areas.

Fix the Cracks – Small openings and cracks are places termites look for to enter your home. When you see these cracks, use a sealant to fix them. If the sealant does not work, then get some tools and border off the area.

Clean Your Home Regularly – Termites are attracted to dirt and dust. We are giving you the easiest way to keep your home free of them. Regularly cleaning your home is a sure way to achieve this. They thrive where dust gathers, so will watch out for those areas where dust will form.

Re-Treat Your Garden – When a home is newly landscaped, it loses its chemical protection and it is important to get it retreated. Your garden can serve as a dwelling place for termites. By getting your garden retreated, you are saving your garden and your home from them. Also, you are saving yourself from having to pay for treatment.

Home Pro Inspections are qualified and experienced in termite inspections. We can inspect your home and make it free of infestations and make you comfortable again. Contact us to get started. 

Termite Inspections AUSTIN, TX

Termite Home Inspections Austin & NEARBY AREAS

Well, you might be unaware, but Annual termite inspections are necessary for early detection of termite activity and to prevent the risk of expensive repairs & substantial scale damage. Termite inspections identify ways to mitigate and minimize risks of infestations and assess the conditions which make a property susceptible to timber pests.

Nobody likes dealing with pests and bugs that go bump in the night. You simply want them off your property as quickly and as affordable as possible. We get it. At Home Pro Inspections, our professionals are one call away for your Termite Inspection needs in Austin, TX, and other surrounding areas. From termites to ants to rodents to bats & bed bugs, we have the right tools and experience to examine your home correctly. We promise to do everything possible to make sure that your home or office is pest-free.

We provide the best Termite Inspection in Austin, TX

Home Pro Inspections surveys before any inspection are to be done. Our trained inspection specialist will do a full termite assessment to all accessible areas where existing & potential termite infestations may be present. Home Pro Inspections uses state of the art technology for its inspection process. Our thermal imaging cameras and other detection devices make use of thermal, moisture, and radar sensors to detect termite presence, especially in places that are not visible to the human eye.

At Home Pro Inspections, we have more than 10 years of collective background in delivering exceptional termite inspection in Austin, Buda, and other surrounding areas in Texas.

Through our combined experiences & expertise, we have provided unmatched termite inspection solutions. So, whether there’s a small or pretty severe termite infestation, you can rely on our knowledge and experience to make sure that the termite infestation is eliminated and your property is restored.

With Home Pro Inspection’s service, rest assured, you will keep your house or business buildings pest-free throughout the year.

A comprehensive annual termite inspection by Home Pro Inspections is the best protection against termites by providing early detection of termite activity, saving you from severe damages on your property. Plus, a Termite Inspection from Home Pro will determine if there is evidence of wood-destroying insects inside your home or not.

Why are termites infesting my home?

Termite Home Inspection in Austin, TX

Termites find American homes very appealing, but why is that? Several things can make your home attractive to a hungry colony of termites. Our best in class termite inspection experts will give you termite prevention tips & identification methods to help you understand the dangers & prevent termites from settling in your home.

WHY INSPECT FOR TERMITES?

  • Early termite inspections can help you to save substantial repair costs in the long haul.
  • If you’re selling a property, an inspection can help you fix the termite damage timely and prevent the infestation from adversely affecting the resale value of your property.
  • If you’re purchasing a property, a thorough termite inspection might save you from investing in a money pit.
  • With timely inspections, you can assess the conditions that leave your property vulnerable to termites and minimize the risk of attack.

How do we inspect for termites?

Our certified termite inspection experts conduct a thorough inspection of your home, both inside & out, carefully looking for evidence of termite activity and other potential access points.

  1. Using local knowledge: Where you live is unique, but there is no place like home. Home Pro Inspection specialists possess on-ground termite inspection experience and in-depth local expertise. They understand the climate and pest pressures of your area, and backed by science & innovation, along with the latest innovation and technology, they bring with them global expertise to you locally.
  2. Comprehensive reporting: A full report is provided to you after every termite inspection. Comprehensive reporting also includes plugging findings into insights about your area, from wood types to the weather, and from surroundings to the season. Also, a customized treatment plan might be recommended for your specific needs.

What to expect during a termite inspection?

We inspect the interior & exterior of the home for evidence of wood-destroying insects and other wood-destroying organisms along with providing you with a detailed termite inspection report.

Moreover, scheduled inspections take an average of 1 – 1.5 hours to complete, depending on the size and intricacy of your property.

Here is what you can expect to take place during a termite inspection by us:

  • Pre-inspection– Before conducting a termite inspection on your property, one of our inspectors will discuss your concerns as well as any particular needs you may have. The inspector will give you a thorough description of what the inspection will involve. To facilitate this inspection process, please remove items stored against the perimeter of the premises and clear up any other clutter that might be there. Sometimes, the inspector will also require access to all walls in your property.
  • During the inspection– The inspector will examine both the inside & outside of the property. He/she will examine patios, porches, attics, garages, and sub-areas (beneath the floor of the living area). Using specialist tools such as moisture meters and blacklight flashlights, the inspector will look out for possible leaks in high moisture areas, and signs of termites such as insects, termite wings, termite pellets, and termite tubes. They will also look for conducive conditions – areas of the structure that, if left unmaintained (fungus, dry rot, etc.), are likely to attract termites.
  • Post-inspection – Upon completion of your termite inspection, you’ll receive a report which describes the findings. It’ll also tell you whether or not termite activity was discovered, areas of concern, and damages (if any). Recommendations and an estimate for treatment repair will also be provided in the report for you to decide the best course of action.
Termite Home Inspection

Termite inspections for sellers

  • An inspection is vital before listing the property so that you can consider any work which needs to be completed and possibly provision the costs in the listing price.
  • It’ll also help you in acknowledging the presence or absence of insect pest activity or damage and have it addressed early to avoid delays in closing escrow.

Termite inspections for buyers

  • We ensure that a WDO (wood-destroying organism) inspection is part of the escrow instructions. It is in your best interest to be vigilant, whether your lender requires it or not.
  • Upon receiving the report, you can get in touch with our inspector for any clarification required. It is our job to help protect your residential or commercial property from pests, and we are happy to answer any questions.
Home Termite Inspection, Austin, TX

Benefits of our Termite inspection:

  • Conducted by a specialized team – Home Pro Inspections termite inspections are only carried out by highly experienced termite experts who have in-depth termite knowledge and local expertise. They also receive extensive training, which always enables them to deploy the correct termite control recommendations for your home or office.
  • Automated detection devices – Using automatic detection devices, our team of termite experts detects, locates, and confirms termite presence in your property.
  • Site risk assessment – We complete this in compliance with all the Pest Control requirements to ensure that all treatments carried out in your premises are conducted safely.
What is a Termite Inspection?

A Termite Inspection is undertaken by a termite inspector or a timber pest inspector by completing a visual termite or pest inspection of all available and accessible areas of a property for the presence of active termites & termite damage. The most probable results to come out of Termite Inspections include conductive conditions to termite attacks and risks & recommendations for termite management programs.

What does a Termite Inspection entail?

A Termite Inspection by Home Pro Inspections entails a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of a home or office for evidence of termite activity, which also includes termite workings, and damage caused by them. Our inspector will visually inspect the interior and exterior of the house or building, including any accessible sub-floor areas and roof cavities.

 

After the termite inspection finishes, the findings are noted in the termite report, which will be issued via email the following morning.

How long does a Termite Inspection take?

On average, the termite inspection takes approximately 60 minutes for a thorough inspection, depending on the size and conditions (for instance, clutter, storage of personal items, etc.) of the home and property.

Do I need to have a Termite Inspection when buying a house?

Whether you’re planning on buying a new home for yourself or want to protect your existing one, you may be considering a termite inspection for your Austin home. Do not hesitate; call us immediately if you have some questions that need answering. We at Home Pro Inspections will answer some common questions about termite inspections.

 

Moreover, costs can add up when you’re purchasing a home – we get that. However, skipping the termite inspection altogether is something we never recommend, no matter the condition of the house, according to the seller’s reports. Termite damage can cost you dearly, so it’s best to invest in an inspection than paying thousands later on. Plus, if you’re planning for a mortgage, many lenders also require a termite inspection before approving your loan.

What do you guys look for during a Termite Inspection?

Your home is unique, so your termite inspection should be too. However, our inspector mainly looks for two things – the presence of termites and termite damage. Some potential signs of termites include structural damage, mildew scent, mud tunnels in the wood, among others.

What if the inspector finds signs of termites?

The good news about finding termites or termite damage is that now you can develop a plan to eliminate this infestation and make all the necessary repairs. If you’re still concerned about the potential of termites, then go ahead and schedule your termite inspection now and let Home Pro Inspections take care of it for you.

Could there be Hidden Termite Damage?

Absolutely! Amongst the primary characteristics of termite colonies is their tendency to avoid open air and bright lights easily. It also means they will stay underground or within wood products. Also, it is not easy for an inspector to visually locate or identify an active termite infestation by merely looking at the finished surface of a wall or the accompanying trim, but Home Pro’s Inspectors are highly trained to handle these kinds of situations.