How Often Should I Have A Termite Inspection?

Termites are extremely small but powerful insects that can consume food around the clock. Without intervention, they can inflict significant damage to houses invisibly. They have incredible reproductive capacity and are considered the most destructive and invasive insects. Every three seconds, more than ten million eggs can be laid by a termite queen in a year. 

The annual economic damage caused by termites is estimated to be over 300 billion dollars globally, including over 100 million dollars in Australia alone. Termites may appear to be an expensive problem at first, but they end up causing a lot more harm if not dealt with.

Which Areas Are Inspected By Termite Inspectors?

Termite inspectors pay close attention to potential entry sites and areas of high activity since termites behave differently depending on the type. For instance, to detect subterranean and Formosan termite activity, a home inspector will search the perimeter of the house, including the lowest level, basement, foundation, accessible attics, and crawlspaces, as well as the outside of the house. If your inspector finds evidence of dry wood termites, they will look under any accessible surfaces, such as hardwood floors, attics, crawlspaces, and eaves. Wooden furniture may also be inspected for obvious symptoms of dry wood termites.

The termite inspector will make note of the circumstances in the area and discuss possible ways to conduct a more thorough inspection using specialised equipment if they detect termite activity in a location that is not easily accessible.

Inspectors may suggest boring small holes in walls or additional places to verify termite activity.

What Attracts Termites To Your Home?

As a result of the fact that termites delight in consuming cellulose, they are drawn to anything that involves this substance. The materials that go within this category include wood, paper, cardboard, and cables.

Below is a list of other things termites might find appealing in your house.

Moisture

In termite physiology, moisture plays a crucial role. Termites can’t survive in a dry environment and will eventually perish. Since 90% of the state is desert, it is mostly arid. A word of warning: termites are cunning. Termites make their homes in carefully managed mounds. If you want to keep your home dry, ensure no leaks. Humidity will likely build up in your home’s bathrooms and laundry room. Regarding the outside of your home, check that there are no dripping faucets or air conditioners. A termite infestation is less likely if you reduce indoor humidity and shield your home’s exterior from potential moisture sources.

Warmth

Termites who live in the shadows have an unusual fondness for comfort and warmth. One intriguing behaviour these sinister invaders display is their tendency to huddle together to create warm areas within their colonies.

Low temperatures are a deadly enemy that quickly wipes out termite colonies.

Termite exterminators use state-of-the-art technology, such as infrared cameras, to expose the hidden actions of these elusive pests.

Experts can locate possible infestation hotspots behind walls with such cutting-edge equipment. The Phoenix Metropolitan region is known for its relentlessly hot summers, yet the occasional drops in temperature make your home a more appealing target for termites.

Darkness

Underworld termites see darkness as more than just a personal choice; it’s an essential condition for survival. These sinister beings are best experienced in the shadows, where they can reproduce, feed, and evade would-be hunters.

Both passageways and protective cloaks are provided by the obvious traces of mud tunnels that they leave behind. 

The termites’ clever use of these tunnels as makeshift cloaks makes it seem like they’re moving from one place to another without drawing attention to themselves.

Termites can be difficult to see, but the skilled exterminators at Varsity can see right through this illusion, exposing the culprits in a harsh light and protecting your home.

Cellulose (Plant Based Material)

The presence of food is the primary incentive for any intruder to reach your home. Despite popular belief, the cellulose found in wood is the termites’ favourite meal. Plants contain the sugar molecule cellulose.

The plant’s stems, leaves, and branches benefit from this organic compound’s fortifying ability.

Cellulose is present in all plant-based materials, including paper and cardboard. Termites are likely to be a problem if you have a storage room or corner cluttered with cardboard boxes containing paper. Everything and everyone is drawn to food.

Termites are drawn to homes with the four main ingredients of darkness, moisture, warmth, and cellulose. These factors may or may not be within your sphere of influence. Temperature is sometimes a problem.

It would be great if termites would avoid humans and their cities.

The alternative is to relocate to the great outdoors, distant from your home. You have some say over the level of moisture. It will suffice to ensure moisture dissipates from the restroom and laundry room.

Termites are less likely to invade your home if you reduce or appropriately store paper, cardboard, and other items that contain cellulose.

How Regularly Should I Have My House Inspected For Termites?

Termite inspections are extremely important for the protection of your house, and you should have them performed in any of the following circumstances:

Every Year 

It is recommended by most pest control firms that residents living south of the Tropical Equator have a termite check annually. Termites love the hot and muggy weather here.

The danger of termite infestation is already high in Australia, but it’s considerably worse in regions north of the Tropics. Consequently, every six months, residents of these locations should have their homes inspected for termites.

Termites can establish a colony and damage a building in two or even five years if people wait that long. As previously stated, termite queens can lay as many as 10 million eggs annually.

Though not every one of those bugs will make it to your house to feast on its contents, the cumulative effect can be thousands upon thousands of them biting away at your belongings.

Before You Sell Your House

 

Protecting your property from termites is important for obvious reasons, but it’s also a smart way to increase its value. A certificate from a reliable pest control service is crucial to getting the most money from your property sale.

Prospective purchasers can see in this paper that your home is free of termites, which is a concrete guarantee.

You can use the property’s certified termite-free condition to your advantage during negotiations by reassuring potential purchasers and boosting its perceived value. It’s about more than simply keeping your house secure; it’s about making it more valuable and appealing to potential buyers.

Before Purchasing A New Home 

After all the hard work of buying a house has been done, the worst possible thing that could happen is to find out there are termites in the property. Before finalising the purchase with the seller, it is necessary to do a complete termite inspection to prevent any financial and structural problems. 

If you take this preventative measure, you may avoid spending thousands of dollars on treatments and repairs after the purchase. We can begin the negotiation if any difficulties linked to termites are discovered during the inspection.

You may rest assured that your investment will be safe because the seller can reduce the asking price to cover the repair costs or remove the termite threat before the property changes hands.

When You Discover A Problem 

Termite inspections should be performed as soon as feasible, if not sooner. Here is a summary of some of the signs that termites are present.

• white ants
• mud leads
• termite wings
• shelter tubes
• clicking noises
• Headbanging
• flying termites
• the power fails
• roof tiles are damaged
• The wood makes a hollow sound.
• There is damage to the garden.
• Termite droppings are found.
• You see tunnels in the woods.
• There is damage to the foundation.
• there are small holes in the wood
• Damage to the walls, floors, or ceiling
• The windows and doors are difficult to open and close.

What Do Inspectors Of Termites Look For?

No matter how small, termites can wreak havoc on a building and leave obvious damage that is hard to miss.

Before an infestation destroys your home’s flooring, wall studs, support beams, floor joists, posts, ceiling joists, and roof supports, it is essential to contact a termite inspector if you have any suspicions that termites may be present. Significant warning signs of a termite problem manifest as:

Buckling Paint

Cracking or bubbling paint can be a means to establish the presence of subterranean termites, even though it is not necessarily a clear symptom of termites even though it is common. In creating damage to drywall, termites form a barrier that allows moisture and air to penetrate between the surface and the paint, which results in the paint being bubbled or cracked.

Frass

This is an immediate indication that you have a termite problem, just like it is with any other insect. Frass, termite droppings, can be found in or around the house.

In most cases, you will locate frass near door frames, baseboards, and windowsills. Frass is composed of granular pellets that are exceptionally small and oval.

Evidence Of Swarms

Termites will consider establishing a brand new colony once the temperature rises. A termite infestation is likely present in your home if you observe a transient swarm of termites in the soil, around the exterior of the building, or inside the house itself. Wings that swarmers have discarded are another indication.

Mud Tubes

Consider the presence of mud tubes on the interior or exterior of timber beams or walls as a strong indication that you may be dealing with a termite infestation.

Termites create these tubes made of mud for a variety of reasons. These confined passages are constructed from wood and dirt, connecting the two. They protect the termites from being eaten by predators and prevent them from dehydrating.

Termite Sightings

You may find a termite in your house even though termites are often invisible due to their small size.

As a result of the fact that every species of termite has a unique appearance, prefers a distinct environment, and poses a different threat to your house, it is necessary to be aware of the other symptoms that you should look for as soon as you notice one.

Wood Damage

When you bang on wood that sounds hollow, this is a telltale indicator that you have an infestation of termites. Termites cause extensive damage to the structural joints of your wood. Termite tunnels can be seen with a screwdriver, another tool for identifying wood damage. 

What Areas Are Inspected For Termite Signs?

An inspector will, fortunately, look for areas on the exterior of a house that include wood, such as wooden buildings, fences, firewood, deadwood, cracks, and wood mulch. This is because termites are long-term pests that affect homes.

In addition to the conventional locations, such as your basement or attic, an inspector should also check the interior parts of your home, such as your bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms.

This is because termites frequently use areas where plumbing enters the slab to gain entry to your home.

Termites are generally found hidden in crawl spaces, baseboards, windows, walls, door frames, and the interiors of cupboards and closets. It is important to inspect these areas.

If I Have Had Termites In The Past, Do I Need More Regular Termite Inspections?

Everything depends on the method that was used to get rid of the termites. It is advised that termite inspections be carried out every three to six months until a full termite management system is implemented.

For instance, if your home has had a problem with termites and a termite barrier has not been installed, it will be subject to this recommendation. Annual termite inspections will be recommended for your property if it has a termite barrier that has been installed and is fully up to date.

You should not wait eight years for the finest termite barrier to come into effect, even though that is the guarantee. If you want to ensure that your barrier is still in good shape after 12 months of termite inspections, you must keep up with the examinations. At the absolute least, you should schedule an examination once every twelve months.

Conclusion

Termites are small but very strong bugs that can do a lot of damage to homes if no one stops them. They can lay more than ten million eggs every year, which is an amazing number. Termite testers look for places where termites could get in and places where they are active a lot, like where subterranean and Formosan termites are active. The outside, basement, foundation, attics, crawlspaces, and the outside of the house are all searched. Termites look under areas that they can reach if they find dry wood. Inspectors may suggest making small holes in walls or other places to check for termites.

Things like wood, paper, cardboard, and wires are attractive to termites. They do best in dry places, especially in the Phoenix Metropolitan region and other dry areas.

To keep pests out, make sure there are no leaks, stay away from sources of moisture, and cover the outside of your house.

Termites like it warm and will huddle together to make a warm spot. Low temperatures can quickly wipe out colonies. Termite exterminators use high-tech tools like infrared cameras to find places where termites are most likely to be. Termites need darkness to survive because that’s where they like to reproduce, eat, and hide.

When termites move around, they hide in holes so that no one can see them. What they really want is cellulose, which you can find in wood, paper, and cardboard.

Termites are drawn to homes that are dark, damp, warm, and have cellulose. If you don’t want termites to come into your home, move far away and make sure the bathroom and washroom don’t retain water. To protect your home and stop more attacks, you need to check for termites on a regular basis.

Getting your home inspected for termites is very important, especially if you live south of the Tropical Equator or north of the Tropics.

Queen termite lays up to 10 million eggs a year, so an invasion can do a lot of damage in two to five years. Keeping termites away from your home not only raises its value but also brings in possible buyers.

To get the most money when you sell your home, you need a pest control licence from a reputable service.

Finally, it’s important to make sure your new home is free of ants before you buy it.

A termite check is necessary before buying a house to avoid problems with the structure and the money. Taking this precaution can save you a lot of money on fixes and let you negotiate if termite problems are found. You should get a termite inspection as soon as possible.

They can find signs of termites like white ants, mud leads, termite wings, shelter tubes, clicking sounds, headbanging, flying termites, power outages, broken roof tiles, hollow wood sounds, tunnels, and damage to the foundation. Termites can be found by inspectors by finding things like paint that is bubbling.

Termites can damage drywall by building a barrier that lets air and wetness in, which can cause paint to bubble or crack. Termite droppings, called frass, can be found around door frames, handrails, and window sills.

There may be swarms of termites in the ground, around the house, or inside.

A termite population can also be seen by mud tubes on wood beams or walls. Termite reports are important because each species looks different, likes different environments, and is a different danger to your home.

Hollow bangs on wood are a sign of termite colonies, which can do a lot of damage to structural joints. Buildings, fences, firewood, deadwood, cracks, and wood mulch on the outside should all be inspected, as well as bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms on the inside.

Termites like to hide in floor joists, floorboards, windows, walls, door frames, and cabinets. Until a full termite control system is put in place, inspections should be done every three to six months. If a termite fence hasn’t been put up, you should have it checked every year.

To keep the barrier in good shape after a year of termite inspections, plan at least one examination per year to make sure it works at its best.

Content Summary

• Termites are small but potent insects capable of constant feeding and significant unseen damage to houses.
• A termite queen can lay over ten million eggs annually, showing their high reproductive capacity.
• Globally, termites cause over $300 billion in damage yearly, with Australia facing over $100 million.
• Termite inspectors focus on areas like basements, foundations, attics, crawlspaces, and house exteriors.
• Evidence of dry wood termites prompts inspectors to check under surfaces like hardwood floors and in crawlspaces.
• Inspectors may use specialised equipment for thorough investigations in hard-to-access areas.
• Termites are attracted to cellulose-containing materials like wood, paper, cardboard, and cables.
• Moisture is crucial in termite physiology, making dry environments lethal to them.
• Termites construct mounds to manage humidity, making homes with leaks more susceptible to infestations.
• Termites prefer warmth and can create warm areas within their colonies for survival.
• Infrared cameras are used by exterminators to locate termite infestations behind walls.
• Termites thrive in darkness, using mud tunnels for movement and protection.
• Cellulose in plant-based materials like paper and cardboard is a primary food source for termites.
• Reducing moisture and properly storing cellulose materials can lessen the likelihood of termite infestation.
• Annual termite inspections are recommended, especially in areas south of the Tropical Equator.
• In regions north of the Tropics, termite inspections every six months are advised due to higher infestation risks.
• Waiting too long for inspections can lead to extensive damage as termites quickly establish colonies.
• Inspections before selling a house can increase its value and assure buyers of a termite-free property.
• Conducting a termite inspection before buying a home is crucial to avoid costly repairs and treatments.
• Immediate termite inspections are necessary when signs of infestation are observed.
• Termite signs include white ants, mud leads, termite wings, shelter tubes, and clicking noises.
• Other indicators are headbanging, flying termites, damaged roof tiles, hollow-sounding wood, and garden damage.
• Termite inspectors look for buckling paint, a common sign of subterranean termites.
• Frass, or termite droppings, is a clear indication of an infestation.
• Swarms of termites or discarded wings suggest the presence of an active termite colony.
• Mud tubes on timber beams or walls are strong indicators of termite activity.
• Spotting a termite, though challenging, signals the need for further inspection.
• Hollow sounds in wood and visible termite tunnels indicate extensive wood damage.
• Inspectors examine exterior wood areas like fences, firewood, and deadwood for termite signs.
• Interior inspections include bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms where plumbing enters the house.
• After previous termite problems, inspections should be more frequent until a full management system is in place.
• Even with a termite barrier, regular inspections every 12 months are recommended to ensure its effectiveness.
• Regular termite inspections are essential for long-term protection and maintenance of properties.
• Termite infestations can be managed but require diligent monitoring and prevention strategies.
• The cost of not dealing with termites can far exceed the expense of regular inspections and treatments.
• Homeowners should be vigilant about potential termite entry points and conducive conditions.
• Professional termite inspectors use various methods to detect and confirm the presence of termites.
• Understanding termite behaviour and attractions helps in implementing effective prevention measures.
• Termites pose a serious threat to the structural integrity of homes, especially in certain climates.
• The reproductive capacity of termites underscores the need for regular inspections.
• The economic impact of termite damage highlights their significance as a pest.
• Termite inspections are integral to real estate transactions, affecting property value and saleability.
• Homebuyers are advised to conduct termite inspections to ensure they’re not inheriting an infested property.
• Recognising early signs of termites can prevent more severe damage and costly repairs.
• Home maintenance and moisture management are key in deterring termite infestations.
• The use of specialised equipment in inspections allows for more accurate termite detection.
• Termite control is a crucial aspect of home care and maintenance.
• Frequent inspections are particularly important in areas with a history of termite problems.
• Ensuring that termite prevention measures are up-to-date is vital for effective control.
• Homeowners’ awareness and proactive measures play a significant role in termite prevention.

Why Is Regular Termite Inspection Essential For Homeowners?

Regular termite inspections are crucial for homeowners to safeguard their investment proactively. Termites, often called “silent destroyers,” can cause significant structural damage before visible signs emerge. Routine inspections serve as a preventative measure, allowing early detection and intervention to avoid costly repairs.

What Factors Influence The Need For More Frequent Inspections?

Properties located in regions with a high prevalence of termites, such as humid climates, may require more frequent inspections. Additionally, structures constructed with wood-heavy materials or those with a history of termite infestations should be subjected to more regular assessments to ensure early detection.

Are Termite Inspections One-Size-Fits-All, Or Can They Be Personalized?

We understand that each property is unique, so the termite inspection services are tailored to individual needs. Whether you require a routine annual assessment or a more frequent inspection schedule based on specific conditions, the personalised approach ensures maximum protection for your investment.

Why Is Early Detection Through Termite Inspections Crucial?

Early detection of termite activity is paramount because it allows for timely intervention, preventing further damage to your property. The sooner termites are identified, the more manageable and cost-effective the mitigation process becomes, saving homeowners from the financial burden of extensive repairs.

Is There A Specific Time Of Year That Is Optimal For Termite Inspections?

While termites are active year-round, certain seasons may see increased activity. Spring and early summer are peak termite seasons when swarmers emerge to establish new colonies. Scheduling inspections during these periods can enhance the chances of detecting termite activity before it escalates.