06 Oct How to do termite inspection by yourself when moving into a new home
How to do termite inspection by yourself when moving into a new home
How to do termite inspection by yourself when moving into a new home
Termites can cause serious, lasting damage to your home. If you think you may have a termite problem, you should get a termite inspection company to look at your home. There are several key pieces of evidence that you should look for when you go on hunting termites. Unfortunately, you can’t even tell if termites are in your homes until they’ve caused damage to your woodwork already. That is why termite inspection is critical. Read our guide for everything you need to know about termite inspection.
Mud tubes
Mud tubes are usually formed by subterranean termites as a superhighway that connects their nests to the wood they feast on. This narrow passageway is about the width of a pencil and is made up of wood and soil. With a little moisture, they form like a mud tunnel. This mud tube also has other uses for termites such as being used as a shield from predators and to keep them from getting dehydrated.
Mud tubes are usually located in the foundations of your home, woodwork, drywall, attics, and damp areas in your kitchen or basement. When you see a mud tube, it is clear that you have subterranean termites in your home.
Wood Damage
Just because you cannot see mud tubes in your home doesn’t mean there are no termites. Another kind of termite called “dry wood” termites doesn’t build mud tubes at all. They live in woodworks in your home and will not show any sign until they have destroyed them.
So, another sign you should inspect is wood damage. try to knock on your wood and see if it produces a hollow sound. Termites can eat your wood’s structural joints and crush them. Once the inside is hollowed out, your wood will sound odd as soon as you knock on them.
You can use a screwdriver to poke your wood and see if there are holes inside the wood. Follow the tunnels inside as this would sometimes lead you to the colony of termites, where the queens and their eggs are.
Fallen wings from swarms
When the weather starts to warm in Australia, you should start checking for evidence of swarms. Flying termites usually swarm in dim lights during spring or summer, which means that they are ready to reproduce more termites.
When they swarm for greener pastures, they also shed their wings. So, try to look in your window sills or doorways if there are termite wings. When you spot them, it means that your home is infested with termites. You also need to start looking for their nest very soon. Termites could lay thousands of eggs in a day and could multiply into thousands of other colonies in a very short time.
Frass or Termite Droppings
Termite droppings are like brownish grains of salts that usually appear at the bottom of the woodwork in your home, baseboards, door frames, or window sills. No matter how small the droppings are, don’t ignore them. Even though the droppings are small, there could be many termites in the hidden corners of your home.
Buckling paint
Buckling paint is often a sign of termite infestation. It occurs quite frequently on photographs, paintings, drywall, and ceiling. Termite infestation creates access for moisture and air to get between the paint and the surface which consequently cause the painted surface to start buckling or peeling.
Whenever you see a buckling paint, trace the origin to see whether it is caused by a termite. Remember that your paint may bubble up for a different reason. So, it is not a definitive sign of termite activities. You may contact a termite control company to completely diagnose the problem.
Live termites
Live termites are notoriously hard to spot because they live inside the woodwork in your home. You won’t notice the damage until they have eaten away a large portion of the wooden structure in your home. However, during the spring season, you may notice flying termites swarming into your home.
Also known as alates, these termites fly to mate with King Termites. But after they mate, they shed their wings which will eventually show in your window sills, doorways, or other well-lit areas.
Key Areas to Inspect
When inspecting your home for termites, think about the key areas where they usually settle such as the following.
Wooden Structures
Exterior and interior wooden structures such as your deck, shed, carport and arbor are prone to termites. If you did not use termite-resistant products during construction, you should check these areas in your home.
If termites find their way to your wooden fencing, they can start munching on it and eventually follow the trail to your home.
If termites find their way to your wooden fencing, they can start munching on it and eventually follow the trail to your home.
Cracks
Check the cracks in expansion joints and brick construction since they are common entryways for termites. You will know if there are termites if some of them go in and out. Cracks in woods are also a telltale sign that a termite might be living inside.
Deadwood
Deadwood can invite termites since they have cellulose which is the main source of termites. Inspect your area for deadwood and firewood.
Don’t stock them up for so long because moisture can gather in them making them a good target for a termite feast. If you want to keep firewood, make sure to elevate it off the ground and keep them at least 20 feet away from your home.
Wood Mulch
Wood mulch is as attractive as rotten or damp woods to termites. Whilst they can be a great ingredient for your planting soil, they can also attract termites. Check around for wood mulch and see whether termite activity as begun. If not, try to clean them. If you want to plant flowers around your home and use mulch, make use of plant pesticides. You can also try mulch alternatives, especially if you live in a termite-prone area.
Calling in the Professional Home Inspectors
When it comes to termite inspection, it is important that you work with the best termite inspection companies. The Local Guys has highly trained technicians to evaluate whether your home is suffering from termite infestation. We will perform a thorough inspection, and leave no stones unturned as we conduct our duty. If you need more information, feel free to contact The Local Guys.
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