Termites are small insects that look like ants and eat the cellulose in your wood beneath the surface of your home. They work from the inside out, so the untrained eye won’t notice them. Termites are frequently not discovered until after an infestation has occurred and significant damage has been done to your home. This is why hiring a termite inspector to thoroughly inspect your home for signs of termites is recommended. During the inspection of your home, a termite inspector will take several steps.
To perform a termite inspection in most areas of the United States, a termite inspector must be licensed and certified. In addition to these requirements, inspectors must keep up with the state’s termite inspection rules and regulations, which are updated on a regular basis. Termite inspectors must be trained in termite biology and local building codes by the most professional pest control companies.
An inspector wearing personal protective clothing for crawling in dark, dirty places when performing a termite inspection. Coveralls, a hard hat, gloves, knee protectors, and a dust mask are typical pieces of protective clothing. A flashlight, screwdriver, masonry hammer, inspection mirror, moisture meter, ice pick, camera, ladder, and a clipboard with pen and graph paper are also required for the inspection.
During an inspection, a termite inspector looks for several clues. The presence of mud tubes is one of the most obvious signs of a subterranean termite infestation. Termites construct these tubes in order to cross open areas without drying out or becoming prey for predators. Mud tubes can be found on the inside and outside of foundation walls, in structural cracks, beneath house siding, and on piers and pillars.
During the inspection, the inspector will crawl beneath the house and look for damage to the wooden support beams. Termites eat wood in the direction of the grain rather than across it, resulting in distinct markings. Termites leave a mud-like substance on the ends of the wood when they feed on it. This will be noted on a termite inspector’s inspection forms, along with a diagram indicating the location.
Termite inspectors look beyond what is visible with the naked eye. A termite inspector’s job includes tapping on wooden beams with a blunt instrument to hear if termites have caused damage to the inside of the wood. A hollow sound will be produced if termites are present. Another way to see if there’s been any damage is to gently probe the wood with an ice pick.
A termite inspector’s job does not end with the inspection. He’ll also look at the soil and crawl space moisture levels to see if the area is at risk for termites in the future. When he’s finished with his inspection, he’ll make a recommendation for termite treatment, if it’s necessary.