A termite inspection is a visual inspection
of the readily accessible areas of a home for evidence of wood-destroying
insects (WDI) and wood-destroying organisms (WDO). The inspector will
visually inspect the entire interior of a home (including accessing and
entering any sub-space such as basements and
crawlspaces) and exterior of the
property. In areas where Drywood termites are prevalent, and in houses
where there are no sub-areas, the attic may also be accessed and
inspected. After the inspection has been performed, the findings are
reported on the applicable/appropriate form.
How long does an inspection take?
The average termite or pest inspection takes
approximately 30 to 45 minutes for a thorough inspection, depending on the
size and conditions (e.g. clutter; storage of personal items, etc.) of the
home and property.
Can termites live in colder
climates?
Yes, termites have been found throughout the
United States, even in Alaska! Cold weather does not kill them off;
rather it slows them down or causes them to go into a hibernation
state. As a matter of fact, it has been reported that 1 out of every
15 houses in the Chicago area have termite infestations.
Why inspect the attic if termites stay
close to the ground?
The termite inspection is actually an
inspection for wood-destroying insects and
organisms. The inspector is also
looking for ants, bugs and fungus. Sometimes, in areas where Drywood
termites are prevalent, and in houses where there are no sub-areas, the
attic may also be accessed and inspected. Inspectors routinely look in the
attic area for Drywood termite pellets (fecal matter), which are oblong,
vary in color from light gray to very dark brown, and are only 2 to 3
millimeters long. They generally accumulate on surfaces or in spider webs
near the eaves area of the attic.
What do termites look like?
Subterranean termite colonies consist of
three different castes--reproductives, workers and soldiers. All of the
Subterranean termites are generally creamy white in appearance and are
translucent, looking very much in size, shape and color as a grain of
rice. The reproductives, or “swarmers,” have a pair of even-sized
wings and are often mistaken for flying ants. The workers look similar
to the “swarmers,” only they are a little smaller and do not have
wings. The soldiers are also similar except for their oversized heads
and large, crushing mandibles.
What is the difference between carpenter
ants and termites?
There are a number of differences between
carpenter ants and termites. The body shape of a carpenter ant is like
an hourglass--it narrows between the abdomen in the rear and the thorax in
the front. The body of a termite is more cigar-shaped without the
narrowing between the front and back halves of the body. When wings
are present, carpenter ants have larger wings in the front and smaller wings
in the back, whereas termite "swarmers" have relatively
equal-sized wings. Carpenter ant wings are less "veiny" than
termite wings. Also, ant wings have a stigma (dark spot) on the
leading edge of the front wing, and termite wings do not.
Carpenter ant antennae are bent or curved,
while termite antennae are relatively straight. Also, termites eat the
wood they tunnel through and ants do not.
How do you treat termites?
There are several methods available to treat
Subterranean termites. A chemical treatment is the most common
treatment type available for Subterranean termites. The goal of a
Subterranean termite chemical treatment is to establish a continuous
termiticide barrier between the termite colony (usually in the soil) and
wood in a building. This is done by placing termiticide in the soil on
both sides of all foundation elements to provide a barrier preventing
termites from entering the structure. Technicians trench the soil and
inject termiticide beneath it at 16-inch intervals. They also drill
into hollow masonry block foundations and inject termiticide into the block
voids. This creates a protective barrier around the property.
In-ground baiting systems are also becoming a
popular method for treatment of Subterranean termites. A subterranean
termite baiting system involves placement of cellulose (wood material) bait
stations at strategic locations around the perimeter of the home.
Worker termites, which constantly forage for wood to feed their colony,
locate the cellulose bait stations and leave special scent trails to summon
their mates to the food source. The cellulose material in the bait
station is then replaced with a chemical inhibitor, retarding the molting
process in termites and preventing them from growing. The carrier
termites then bring the chemical back to the colony and--if everything goes
well--spread the inhibitor throughout the remainder of the colony. Because of the growth inhibitor, the carrier and the rest of the colony will
die.
Could there be hidden termite
damage?
Absolutely! One of the main
characteristics of termites and termite colonies is their tendency to avoid
open air and bright lights, meaning they will stay underground or within
wood products. It is almost impossible for an inspector to visually
identify or locate an active termite infestation just by looking at the
finished surface of a wall or the accompanying trim.
What can I do to prevent termite
infestation?
The current standard method of preventing
termite infestation on newly constructed homes is to have a pest control
contactor visit the home and spray a liquid termiticide over the entire
foundation area prior to the concrete being poured. The building
sciences are continually coming up with new methods of infestation
prevention. A homeowner could also make post-construction adjustments
to the home that are less conducive to an infestation of wood-destroying
insects. Common conditions that are conducive to an infestation are:
earth to wood contact at support posts; cellulose debris and form boards
left in the crawlspace; improper drainage away from the structure; and
inadequate ventilation in the crawlspace. Correction of these conditions
will greatly reduce the likelihood of an infestation.
Why do I have to treat if there are no
live termites?
If there is evidence of a termite infestation
and no evidence of a termite treatment having been done, the inspector must
report that the infestation is active, which means in need of treatment,
even though no live insects were discovered.
Does the termite inspection cover all
types of wood-destroying organisms?
This depends mostly on state and local
code. Most states use the NPCA-1 Wood Destroying Inspect Infestation
Inspection Report, which limits its scope to the inspection of termites,
carpenter ants, carpenter
bees, and re-infesting wood-boring beetles.
Is a termite inspection included with the
cost of a general home inspection?
No, it is not. The initial cost of a
general home inspection does not include any other inspections.
