Your home is your sanctuary. At least it’s supposed to be. Unfortunately, sometimes other creatures decide to make themselves a little too much at home, which can make you feel like your home is anything but a sanctuary. Termites in particular can be a nightmare for homeowners.
Signs of Termites
Knowledge is your first line of defense against termites, which in this case means knowing what the signs of having termites in your home are. Things like discolored or droopy drywall, mud tubes that go up to your foundation, crumbling or damaged wood, patterns in furniture, floors, and doors that look like a maze, wood that sounds hollow (but shouldn’t be) when it’s tapped, and tiny holes in your drywall can all point to termite activity. If you notice termite droppings or discarded wings, it’s almost guaranteed that you have a termite problem.
How the Inspection Works
Not sure you’ve correctly identified the signs? Have a termite inspector come take a look. They’ll look for those signs, along with others to determine whether you’re dealing with a termite infestation or not. They’ll focus their efforts on examining areas of your home where they are most likely to enter or be active, depending on the species of termite most likely to be in your home. On occasion, the inspector may suggest drilling holes into the walls to confirm activity.
Eliminating an Infestation
Getting rid of a termite infestation needs to be a top priority once the infestation has been identified. There are three methods commonly used: soil treatment, wood treatment, and bait systems. Soil treatment treats the soil surrounding the house by applying a termiticide to a trench that is dug around the house. It can help reduce the chances of future infestation. Wood treatments are helpful for addressing current infestations and can be done both during the home construction process and afterward. Bait systems use bait to eliminate termite colonies. The type of treatment done for your home will depend on what the pest control company has determined to be the best for your situation.
No one wants to find their home infested with termites. They can do very real damage to any home. If left unchecked, the damage can become catastrophic and result in the need for costly repairs. Take good care of your home and eliminate infestations in a timely manner so your home can continue to take care of you for years to come.
If you think your home may be infested with termites, you need to get it inspected as soon as possible. We handle inspections for Radon, Termites, and More, making us your one-stop shop for home inspections in Utah.
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