Services Offered by Termite Inspection Companies
Knowing what services termite inspection companies provide can assist you in making an informed decision that meets your short- and long-term requirements. Many providers offer annual termite inspections with preventive care for consistent protection. Depending on your situation, this may be more helpful than treating termites only once.
Exterior Inspection
Professionals performing termite inspections will look around your home's exterior for visible damage. They’ll check over structures in contact with the soil, outdoor wood, and damp areas that could attract termites, such as the following:- Cracks in expansion joints
- Deadwood
- Firewood stacks
- Pooling water around the foundation
- Standing water on the roof
- Wood mulch close to the foundation
- Wooden deck supports
- Wooden fences
Interior Inspection
Exterminators usually offer both outdoor and indoor inspections. Inside, they concentrate on places that are humid or have a lot of wood or cellulose materials, as well as possible termite entry points. They may examine the following:- Attics
- Basements
- Crawl spaces
- Doorframes
- Exposed beams or studs
- Exterior walls
- Hardwood floors
- Under-sink cabinets
- Windowsills
- Wooden furniture
Treatment Recommendations
After verifying an infestation, an inspector will propose a custom treatment schedule to eliminate the termites safely and efficiently. Nonchemical treatments include heat treatments, physical barriers, and biological agents such as beneficial nematodes. Chemical termite treatments regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include baits and liquid termiticides. Baits consist of an insecticide-laced cellulose that attracts and kills termites, while liquid termiticides soak into the soil to form a protective barrier around your home. Fumigation is a more intensive solution that involves vacating your home, enclosing it, and flooding it with a gas that’s lethal to termites. To manage your current termite problem, the inspection company might suggest a multipronged approach.Future Vulnerabilities
Complete termite inspections check potential entry points as well as current issues. Inspectors search for wood-to-soil contact, leaks, and other things on your property that could attract termites. Your inspector may recommend structural alterations, such as landscaping improvements, to enhance drainage and reduce possible pest entry points. Taking care of these issues will decrease the likelihood of another infestation.Continuous Monitoring
Some termite treatments need regular inspection, replacement, or reapplication to keep working properly. For this reason, many reputable pest control providers offer ongoing service agreements that include annual or quarterly inspections. With this monitoring, technicians check for signs of new or increased termite activity. Part of this service involves changing out baits and reapplying liquid termiticides as required. The recurring visits reduce the risk of extensive damage and often come with a warranty.Termite Warranties
Many termite inspection providers support their services with a reservice warranty. If termites return within a certain period of time following the initial service, the reservice warranty will pay for additional appointments or more work needed to address the termites. Some exterminators take it a step further and offer repair warranties. These guarantees cover repairs for new termite damage following treatment.Factors To Consider When Choosing a Termite Inspector
Be sure to consider the following key factors when choosing a termite inspector.- Cost: Obtain quotes from three or more providers. Some may need to inspect your situation in person before giving you an estimate.
- Experience: The length of time a company has been in business can indicate its trustworthiness and experience. More time in the field usually translates to more experience dealing with termite problems.
- Guarantees: Choose an inspector with guarantees or warranties that cover reservice or repairs. Get the agreements in writing for your records.
- Licensing and insurance: Pesticide applicators in Illinois must have a commercial applicator's license from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. You should also verify that the company is properly insured. Anyone who applies restricted-use pesticides must be registered as an applicator by the EPA.
- Reputation and reviews: Satisfaction ratings from customers on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online platforms, as well as personal recommendations, all offer useful perspectives on service quality. Companies with good reviews tend to provide excellent service overall.