Services Offered by Termite Inspection Companies
Knowing what services termite inspection companies provide can assist you in making an educated selection that satisfies your short- and long-term needs. Many providers offer annual termite inspections with preventive treatments for consistent coverage. Depending on your situation, this may be more valuable than treating termites only once.
Exterior Inspection
Professionals performing termite inspections will look around the outside of your home for visible damage. They’ll inspect structures in contact with the soil, outdoor wood, and damp areas that could draw 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 offer both outdoor and indoor inspections. Indoors, they focus on locations that are damp or have a lot of wood or cellulose materials, in addition to possible termite entry points. They might inspect the following:- Attics
- Basements
- Crawl spaces
- Doorframes
- Exposed beams or studs
- Exterior walls
- Hardwood floors
- Under-sink cabinets
- Windowsills
- Wooden furniture
Treatment Recommendations
After finding an infestation, an inspector will create a custom treatment schedule to eradicate the termites safely and efficiently. Nonchemical treatments include heat treatments, physical barriers, and natural pest control methods such as beneficial nematodes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees common chemical treatments including liquid termiticides and baits. Liquid termiticides soak into the ground around your house to create a protective barrier. Baits contain cellulose laced with slow-acting insecticide. If these treatments aren't enough, you can schedule fumigation. Fumigation involves vacating your home, sealing it, and flooding it with a gas that’s lethal to termites. To resolve your current termite situation, the pest control company might suggest a multipronged strategy.Future Vulnerabilities
Complete termite inspections evaluate for termite-friendly areas and assess current activity. Inspectors check for wood-to-soil contact, leaks, and other conditions that might draw termites to your house. Your inspector may suggest structural changes, such as landscaping improvements, to increase drainage and reduce possible pest entry points. Addressing these issues will lessen the risk of another infestation.Continuous Monitoring
Termite solutions sometimes need regular inspection, replacement, or reapplication to remain effective. Many exterminators offer continuing service plans that include annual or quarterly inspections for this reason. During this ongoing monitoring, the technician will look for new or increased termite activity. The technician will also switch out baits and reapply liquid treatments when required. These plans decrease the chance of major damage and often include a warranty.Termite Warranties
Termite inspectors frequently support their services with reservice warranties. These warranties will pay for the cost of additional appointments to deal with the termites should they reappear in a specificed time period following the original service. Some pest control providers even include repair warranties. These pay for costs to repair new termite damage after treatment.Factors To Consider When Choosing a Termite Inspector
There are a number of important considerations for choosing a termite inspector.- Cost: Request quotes from three or more specialists. Some may need to evaluate your situation in person before providing an estimate.
- Experience: A company’s time in business can tell you about its trustworthiness and knowledge. Companies with more industry experience can typically handle termites more effectively.
- Guarantees: Look for providers that include warranties or guarantees including reservice and repair. Get these contracts in writing for your records.
- Licensing and insurance: In Virginia, pesticide applicators may hold either a commercial applicator for hire license or a technician registration from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Technicians must work for at least a year before getting an applicator license. Always verify a provider's licensing and insurance. Anyone who 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 personal recommendations, all offer useful perspectives on service quality. Businesses with good reviews tend to provide top-notch service overall.