Services Offered by Termite Inspection Companies
Knowing what services termite inspection providers offer can help you make a smart decision that meets your short- and long-term requirements. Many providers offer yearly inspections plus preventive treatments for consistent protection. Depending on your situation, this might be a better solution than only addressing your termite issue once.
Exterior Inspection
A pest professional will carefully inspect your home’s exterior for visible termite issues. Structures that meet the ground and exterior wood both get extra attention, as do moisture-prone spots that could lure 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 often pair an outside check with a thorough inside check. Indoors, inspectors look at damp areas, potential termite entry points, and areas with wood or cellulose. They typically look at the following:- Attics
- Basements
- Crawl spaces
- Doorframes
- Exposed beams or studs
- Exterior walls
- Hardwood floors
- Under-sink cabinets
- Windowsills
- Wooden furniture
Treatment Recommendations
If an infestation is identified in your house, the inspection company will suggest a customized treatment plan to remove the termites. Nonchemical options are available, including heat, physical barriers, and natural pest control methods such as beneficial nematodes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates common chemical treatments such as liquid termiticides and baits. Liquid termiticides permeate the earth around your house to form a protective barrier. Baits contain cellulose laced with slow-acting insecticide. If these treatments aren't enough, you can schedule fumigation. Fumigation means vacating your home, enclosing it, and flooding it with a gas that’s lethal to termites. To address your current termite situation, the inspection company might propose a multipronged approach.Future Vulnerabilities
Thorough termite inspections check for termite-friendly areas and evaluate current activity. Inspectors search for wood-to-soil contact, leaks, and other conditions that might draw termites to your home. An inspection may identify drainage issues or termite entry points that need landscaping or structural improvements. Making these changes can help avoid future infestations.Continuous Monitoring
Termite solutions may require regular inspection, replacement, or reapplication to remain effective. Many termite inspection companies offer continuing service plans that include quarterly or yearly inspections for this reason. With this monitoring, technicians look for new or worsening termite activity. This also involves swapping out baits and reapplying liquid treatments when necessary. This recurring service lowers the chance of major damage and often comes with a warranty.Termite Warranties
Many termite inspection providers offer a reservice warranty with their services, which covers the costs of additional appointments or more work needed to deal with the termites if they come back within a given time period after service. Some pest control companies even offer repair warranties. These cover costs to repair new termite damage following treatment.Factors To Consider When Choosing a Termite Inspector
Homeowners should consider several key factors when choosing a termite inspector.- Cost: Request price estimates from a minimum of three providers. Some may need to complete an inspection first before giving a quote.
- Experience: How long a company has been in business often shows its reliability and expertise. Companies with more industry experience tend to handle termite invasions more effectively.
- Guarantees: Look for inspectors who include warranties or guarantees including reservice and repair. Get these contracts in writing for your records.
- Licensing and insurance: Your pest control provider should hold a ground owner-operator license from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. (Some providers may also hold an aerial owner-operator license.) This license can come with or without a phenoxy endorsement, depending on the type of pesticides a company uses. Always verify that your provider is properly insured. Anyone who applies restricted-use pesticides must be registered as an applicator by the EPA.
- Reputation and reviews: Look up each company on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, read online reviews from customers, and talk to family and friends for their recommendations. Feedback from other customers speaks volumes about the level of service you can expect.