Services Offered by Termite Inspection Companies
Knowing what services termite inspection companies offer can help you make a smart decision that fits your immediate and future needs. Many providers offer yearly assessments plus preventive solutions for consistent protection. Depending on your situation, this could be a preferable alternative to only addressing your termite issue once.
Exterior Inspection
During the examination process for termites, technicians look for visible damage around your home’s exterior. They pay close attention to anything meeting the earth, outdoor wood, and damp places where moisture 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
Termite companies generally provide both indoor and outdoor inspections. Indoors, they concentrate on areas that are damp or have a lot of wood or cellulose materials, in addition to potential 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, a pest control professional will recommend a tailored treatment schedule to remove the termites safely and successfully. Alternatives to chemicals include heat treatments, physical barriers, and natural pest control methods such as beneficial nematodes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees chemical termite treatments such as liquid termiticides and baits. Liquid termiticides soak into the ground to create a barrier around your house. Baits use insecticide-laced cellulose to draw in termites. Fumigation is another option, but this means you must temporarily vacate your home. Fumigation seals off and fills homes with a gas that’s lethal to termites. To handle your existing termite issue, the inspector may advise a multipronged approach.Future Vulnerabilities
Comprehensive termite inspections look at potential vulnerabilities in addition to current termite activity. The inspector will check for conditions that could attract termites to your home, such as wood-to-soil contact and plumbing leaks. The inspector may advise landscaping modifications or structural changes to enhance drainage and minimize potential entry points. Fixing these issues will reduce your likelihood of a future infestation.Continuous Monitoring
Some termite treatments need regular inspection, replacement, or reapplication to remain effective. Because of this, many pest control companies provide ongoing service plans that include annual or quarterly inspection visits. With this ongoing monitoring, the technician will verify new or increased termite activity. The technician will also switch out baits and reapply liquid treatments when needed. These plans lower the chance of major damage and frequently include a warranty.Termite Warranties
Many termite inspectors include a reservice warranty with their services, which pays for the costs of extra visits or work needed to deal with the termites if they return within a given time period after service. Some pest control professionals go a step further and include repair warranties. These warranties pay for repairs for new termite damage following treatment.Factors To Consider When Choosing a Termite Inspector
There are several important considerations for choosing a termite inspector.- Cost: Contact at least three companies for quotes. Remember that some may need to evaluate your home before providing an estimate.
- Experience: A company’s time in business can show its knowledge and expertise. Providers with more industry experience can often handle termites more effectively.
- Guarantees: Choose an inspector with warranties or guarantees that include reservice or repair. Get the agreements in writing for your records.
- Licensing and insurance: The state of New York requires pesticide applicators to hold either a commercial pesticide applicator or technician license from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. You should also verify that your provider is properly insured. Any technician that applies restricted-use pesticides must be registered as an applicator by the EPA.
- Reputation and reviews: How satisfied customers are on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online platforms, as well as word-of-mouth, all offer useful perspectives on service quality. Businesses with good reviews tend to provide great service overall.