A termite is a eusocial insect that can cost thousands of dollars in damage in case of a termite infestation at your home. The reason behind that is that this animal feeds itself on wood’s cellulose, so they destruct all your wooden furniture.
There are some things that may attract termites into your home. Some you cannot change, such as the weather and local geography. But some things you can keep an open eye on, like moisture. Moisture attracts termites, so you should check if there are any leaks in your pipes. Also, cracks in your foundation or siding allow the termites to invade your house easily.
So, you have seen the signals that your house is full of termites and you’ve called a termite control company. What now? Is there anything that you should do to prepare yourself and your house for this inspection?
Yes! There are some easy and nice steps to follow that make it easier for the pest control company to inspect your house. Follow these steps and learn what pest control companies commonly do to check if there is any termite in your house.
Rearrange a little
If there is anything stored against your garage’s wall, please remove it to about two feet away from the wall. Do it as well if there are any items against the wall outside your home. This is necessary since expansion joints provide entry for termites, so the inspector will check these joints.
Clean the way to the attic
The inspector must inspect your attic, so before they come in, please clear items aways so the inspector can easily observe if there are any termites signs in your attic. If there is anything blocking the entrance to the attic, please remove it.
For example, if the attic access is in a closet, you should remove clothing and any other stored items to avoid insulation falling on them. Also, that makes the inspection a lot easier for the inspector and yourself.
Clear the crawl space (if there’s any)
If you have a raised foundation, the inspector will have to go under your house to check if there are any termites signs in there. Because of this, the inspector will have to access the crawl space, usually through the outside of your house. So, if there are any items or furniture that block the opening to the crawl space, please remove them.
Pay attention to your sinks
The inspector will check if there are any leaks or termite evidence underneath your sinks, so if there are any items under your kitchen, bathroom, and any other sink in your house, please remove them.
Now that you know what to do when you are expecting a termite inspection, allow me to say what is going to happen during a termite inspection. I must say that the duration of the inspection relay on some things, especially the size of your house and if the access to certain areas is easy or not. However, it commonly takes something about 1 ½ hour to 2 hours. Remember that the inspector is going to investigate both the interior and the exterior of your house.
Overall, the inspector is going to do a detailed interior inspection first, which also includes an inspection of the garage and attic. Again, please remember that the inspector is only going to inspect your garage and attic if it is accessible. Usually, the inspector inspects all door frames, walls, the inside of cabinets and closets, crawl spaces, windows, bathrooms, kitchens, and even utility rooms, since plumbing penetrations through the slab are a common entry point for subterranean termites.
When inspecting the exterior of your house, the inspector will check what could lead to a termite infestation which includes an inspection of all exterior walls and eaves of your home, as well as the examination of the foundation.
Even the landscaping areas are inspected, so the inspector can see if there are any signs or evidence of wood-destroying insects in trees and plants around your house. If you can, please trim any plant that difficult this process.
Then, after all of that, the inspector is going to review some things with you. For example, they will show you any inspection findings and observations that are related to wood-destroying insects, as well as conditions conducive to infestation. They will probably make a detailed graph that includes any insects found and so the avenues, conditions, and sources identified during the inspection.
The inspector will share details of preventive or corrective treatment programs that are indicated for your home. Then, you will receive recommendations on correcting conducive conditions that may reduce the risk of future infestations.
Of course, not every termite control program is the same. It varies with each pest control company. However, this is a common protocol, so probably this is how the termite inspection will look to you.
If you are looking for certified companies that do high-quality termite control in Virginia Beach, termite control in Norfolk, and even pest control in Norfolk, you are with luck today! Universal Pest is a pest control company specialized in dealing with pest-related problems. If you need a company to inspect your house and resolve the problem, this is the right company to call.
Universal Pest attends in a lot of cities, such as Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton (VA), and Williamsburg (VA). This company offers an excellent service at a fair price, helping you to clear your house from any type of pest which also includes termites.
They offer some pest-control options, like a pet and family-friendly service, and exterior pest control, mosquito treatment, roach control, rodent control, ant control services, spider control, bed bug service, termite inspection, termite control, and even some additional services such as fungus treatment, an inspection of dirty crawl space, dehumidifiers, air duct cleaning, free pest inspections, insulation services, moisture control, and many more.