How Often You Should Get a Termite Inspection

Wondering how often you should schedule a termite inspection? You should invest in termite inspections when you suspect activity or at least once per year, especially if you live in warm, moist climates like California, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. If that’s the case, you should be even more vigilant about scheduling annual termite inspections. 

Additionally, older homes are more likely to play host to these unwelcome guests. When you purchase a home, you may want to pay for a pest and termite inspection before making your final decision. You should hire a local termite control specialist to evaluate your home, diagnose the extent of infestation, and then carry out an eradication solution.

When and How Often to Get a Termite Inspection?

Most pest control experts recommend scheduling a termite inspection once per year, especially if you live in an older home or a high-risk area for termites. Annual termite inspections can ensure an infestation is caught and eliminated early and before it causes major damage to your home. Plus, they can implement prevention methods to keep wood-loving pests away. The best time to book a termite inspection is in the early spring. That’s when termites begin to swarm in the warm weather, making it easy for professional inspectors to identify signs of these hazardous pests. 

What Are Signs of a Termite Infestation?

Some signs of a termite inspection include:

• Wings inside the window frames

• Discarded wood pellets

• Mud tubes near the foundation of your home

• Hollow-sounding wood

• Blistering wood (small bubbles that indicate moisture)

• Bubbling paint

• Tiny holes in the wall

• Moisture in the floor that causes the tile to loosen

• Crumbling damaged wood (look in the attic and other areas where you have better access to exposed wood)

If you notice any of these signs, call your local termite control pro ASAP.

How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost?

Paying for a termite inspection is far better than ignoring a potential problem and spending a lot more later. The average cost of a termite inspection is between $50 and $250, depending on the location and size of your home.

Professional termite removal costs between $230 and $1,000, depending on the severity of the infestation. Smaller, more-localized treatments are less expensive but may not catch the entire nest of termites.

Why Are Termites Dangerous?

Unlike mosquitos, termites don’t pose a direct threat to humans. Most termites don’t bite. Termites are also not a known carrier or spreader of disease and do not inject venom when they do bite. Termites pose a significant threat to structures, though. Damage to a home not only decreases its value but could lead to other health issues caused by mold, mildew, and rotting wood.

Termites Hide Well

One reason termites pose a significant threat is because they’re difficult to spot. They’re small, and they don’t congregate in common areas of your home.  Termites spend a lot of time inside your walls, and that’s where they do real damage. You may not even know you have termites until they’ve caused extensive harm to the bones of your home.

Termites Feed on Wood, and Your Home Is Made of Wood

It’s no surprise that many of the crucial components that make up the structure of your home are made of wood. Wood makes up portions of your home like the subflooring, framing, and support beams. Damage to these areas is expensive to repair and can make your home less structurally sound.

Termites Are Difficult to Eliminate

These bugs are annoying to deal with because getting rid of termites can be tougher than with other pests. If your home has a termite problem, you’ll need the help of a professional to eradicate them. Once you’ve removed the problem, you’ll need to assess the damage and plan for repairs.

How Can I Protect My Home Against Termites?

The best thing you can do to protect your home is to take preventative measures. It’s easier to keep your home in good condition than to manage a problem later. Some things you can do to protect your home from many types of termites include:

• Keeping all wood sources off the ground (wood stockpiles)

• Keeping your foundation in good shape and preventing moisture from accumulating near the foundation

• Never storing wood inside or against the outside of your home

• Choosing an alternative to mulch in your landscaping

• Trimming branches and tree overhangs away from the house

• Regularly clearing out your gutters