Services Offered by Termite Inspection Companies
Knowing what services termite inspection providers offer can help you make a smart decision that matches your short- and long-term needs. Many providers offer yearly assessments plus preventive care for consistent protection. Depending on your situation, this might be a better solution than only addressing your termite problem once.
Exterior Inspection
During the examination process for termites, inspectors look for visible damage around your home’s exterior. They pay close attention to anything in contact with the soil, outdoor wood, and damp places where moisture 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 usually provide both indoor and outdoor inspections. Indoors, they focus on areas that are moist or have a lot of wood or cellulose materials, in addition to potential termite entry points. They may check 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 inspector identifies termites in your home, they'll usually suggest a customized treatment plan to remove the termites efficiently. Alternatives to chemicals exist too, including physical barriers, heat, and biological pest control agents such as beneficial nematodes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates chemical termite treatments such as liquid termiticides and baits. Liquid termiticides soak into the ground to form a barrier around your house. Baits draw in termites using cellulose laced with a slow-acting insecticide. Another possible option is fumigation, but this requires you to temporarily vacate your home. Fumigation seals off and fills homes with a gas that’s lethal to termites. To fix your current termite situation, the pest control company might advise a multipronged approach.Future Vulnerabilities
Thorough termite inspections evaluate potential vulnerabilities as well as current termite activity. The inspector will look for conditions that could attract termites to your home, such as wood-to-soil contact and plumbing leaks. The inspection company may advise landscape improvements or structural changes to minimize possible entry points and enhance drainage. Addressing these issues reduces the chance of future pest problems.Continuous Monitoring
Certain termite treatments need regular inspection, replacement, or reapplication to keep working properly. For this reason, many reputable termite inspection businesses offer ongoing service agreements that include yearly or quarterly inspection appointments. With this ongoing monitoring, the technician will check for new or increased termite activity. The technician will also change out baits and reapply liquid treatments when required. These plans lower the chance of major damage and commonly include a warranty.Termite Warranties
Termite inspection providers often include a reservice warranty with their services. The warranty will pay for any extra work required to deal with the termites if they come back within a certain period of time after service. 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
Homeowners should consider several key factors when hiring a termite inspector.- Cost: Get quotes from three or more companies. Some may need to evaluate your situation in person before giving you an estimate.
- Experience: How long a company has been in business can indicate its trustworthiness and experience. More years in the field usually leads to more experience dealing with termite invasions.
- Guarantees: Choose a company with guarantees or warranties that encompass reservice or repairs. Get the policies in print for your records.
- Licensing and insurance: Pesticide applicators in South Carolina must be licensed by the South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation, which is affiliated with Clemson University. In the majority of cases, your provider should have a commercial certification. Also verify that a company is properly insured. Anyone who uses 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 review platforms, as well as word-of-mouth, all offer useful perspectives on quality of service. Providers with good reviews tend to provide great service overall.