What Professionals Look For During a Termite Inspection
There are few things more upsetting to homeowners than being told their house shows signs of a termite infestation. Considered one of the most destructive pests in the U.S., termites are a very real threat homeowners in the Tampa Bay area. It’s often difficult to see signs of termites until you have a full-blown infestation, but when you do, you want to act fast. Although it’s best to leave termite control to the professionals, the more you know, the better! Today, the experts at Anti-Pesto Bug Killers discuss the most common species of termites, what professionals look for during an inspection, and your different treatment options.
Species of Termites in Tampa Bay
Understanding the exact type of termite infesting your home is the first step toward termite control. The two species of termites that are most common in the Tampa Bay area are:
- Subterranean termites: Residing in the soil, this species is famous for their mud tubes. They feast above the surface so the spare wood in your yard or wood on your home could be supplying an appealing food source. They are also known for swarming season, where tens of thousands of termites swarm your home, typically during humid spring days.
- Drywood termites: As their name suggests, these termites need very little moisture to thrive. Unlike the Subterranean termites, Drywood termites do not need contact with the soil. They can do serious damage to non-decaying wood, like that of your attic or wooden furniture.
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What to Look For During an Inspection
How do you know what to look for when inspecting your home? Although we recommend leaving this to the professionals who are properly trained to identify a termite’s presence, here’s what they typically look for:
- Signs of swarming: Swarms in the interior of a home are a strong indication that the structure is infested with Subterranean Termites. (Remember, drywood termites don’t swarm.) Interior swarms are often found near windows, doors, etc., as the flying reproductive ones are attracted to lighted areas.
- Mud tubes: Tunnels made of soil, wood cellulose and other matter located near the house’s foundation, in the crawl space or attic, near pipes or chimneys, or other access points are an indication that termites have been and may still be present in the home. Also look for cracks in the foundation or sheetrock that have been sealed closed with mud.
- Signs of damage to wood beams: Termite inspectors may tap on the wood with a mallet. A beam that sounds hollow may be an indication that termites have attacked the wood. Another sign is an exposed beam that shows signs of deep grooves on the softer innermost portion. This is because termites eat wood from the inside out.
- High moisture content in the walls: Termite inspectors may use a moisture meter to check the moisture level of walls or wood trim around doors or windows. A higher-than-normal level could be a sign that termites are present.
- Potential access points: Wood fencing that touches the home, piles of firewood adjacent to the structure, wood mulch or other sources of termite “food” that are in close proximity of the house can provide a good base of operation for the termite army. Inspect these areas for signs of active or past infestation.
- Visible termites: It may be stating the obvious, but if termites are visible and you see them in or around your home, then there’s a good chance you have an infestation!
Different Termite Treatment Options
Do-it-yourself treatments might seem like a simpler, cheaper solution to eliminating termites. But, there are many dangers of trying to identify and treat termites on your own. DIY treatments are often ineffective and can result in more costly damage in the long run. Don’t mess around when it comes to insects that cause more than a million dollars worth of a damage every year. There are various termite treatment options — the most prominent ones being soil treatments, wood treatments, bait systems, and fumigation.
Our Non-Fumigation Treatment
Anti-Pesto stands apart from its competitors with a non-fumigation treatment option to getting rid of termites in the Tampa Bay area. Not familiar with non-fumigation? This extremely effective and family-friendly elimination provides the following benefits like:
- No dangerous fumes
- No risk for exposure to harmful chemicals
- Won’t hurt your pets or children
- Don’t have to leave your home for days at a time
- Won’t damage your belongings
Turn to the Termite Experts at Anti-Pesto
When you partner with the termite specialists at Anti-Pesto, each termite inspection is thorough and all treatments are backed by a one-year warranty. In addition to our superior customer service and guaranteed results, we understand a termite problem can be expensive, so we do everything we can to make our service both effective and affordable.
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