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Why You Should Choose A Certified Termite Inspector Over A Home Inspector
9/11/13
There’s a whole lot that goes into purchasing a home and one step in the process is having a home inspection completed. Though home inspections are a great way to identify potential problems with the home, it is the not the best method for determining if termites are present as this type of inspector does not usually have the specialized training, experience or expertise to identify termites or evidence of termite activity. And if termite activity is missed, it could cost you a lot of time, money and stress down the road. When it comes to these wood-destroying pests, it is far better to contact a certified termite inspector. Keep reading to find out why.
Hiring a certified termite inspector to check a potential home for termites is an invaluable service. Termite activity can be very difficult spot, in fact sometimes termites can be building tunnels through a home’s structural wood for months or even years before they are noticed. A certified termite inspector have a keen understanding of this pest including its behavior and will know where to look and what to look for when it comes to spotting signs of termites even if an infestation is subtle. In addition to looking for live insects including winged termites, certified termite inspectors will look for evidence of termite activity in all areas in and around the home where termites are known to be; these areas include the basement, garage, crawl space, sub-structure and the area outside of the home.
Signs that termite inspectors keep any eye out for to determine if termites are present include looking for mud tubes that are running towards the home. Subterranean termites build these tubes because they cannot take exposure to the open air for long periods of time. So instead they travel to and from their food source inside these tunnels. Termite inspectors are also specifically trained to look for damage to the wood inside of homes. This includes walls that sound hollow when tapped, wood that appears weakened or blistered, and paint that has bubbles or pealed. They will also look for evidence of mud on the surface of structural wood and walls, termite use a mud mixture to repair holes that they have accidentally made in the wood. Termite inspectors can also spot if a reproductive swarm has occurred. Unfortunately evidence of a termite swarm (which includes piles of wings under doors and windows) could mean that termites are already active in your home or if not somewhere close by. They are also trained to tell the slight differences between a termite vs. flying ant reproductive swarm which will ensure that species present on the property is correctly identified.
Making sure to get your potential home inspected for termite by professionals is a very important step in the home buying process and is one that is often required by loan companies before granting loans. Aside from receiving a completed NPMA-33 form, another advantage of contracting a certified termite inspector is the termite guarantee- if no termite activity is detected you should receive a professional termite guarantee for your home from the pest control company you hired. A termite guarantee is good for a period determined by the company and guarantees termite control should an infestation appear within the timeframe stated.
Termites are pests that can cause thousands of dollars in damages and their damages are something that you definitely do not want to have to deal with after purchasing a new home. If you would like more information about Long Island termite inspections and how you could benefit from a certified termite inspection reference, Parkway Pest Services is the ideal choice. Offering certified termite inspections in Long Island and throughout NY and Fairfield County, CT., the termite control pros at Parkway are ready to help you protect you new or existing home.