Why You Need a Termite Inspection Performed

The state of Florida has a big termite population. It is heavily infested by these insects because the climate is perfect for them to thrive, and the chances of them finding their way to your property is high. 

According to the FDACS, a department that regulates and licenses the pest control industry in Florida, termites harm property in Florida more than fires, flooding, and hurricanes combined!

Protecting your home from the damage of these pests is crucial. You always need a Home Inspection, followed by a Termite Inspection when buying a home. When you choose Divinity Inspection Services to perform your Home Inspection Service, we will report any evidence of termites that we may find during our thorough analysis of your home.

But you should always follow up with a Termite and Other Wood Destroying Organism Report (WDO Report) performed by a certified inspector. These professionals must have an ID card provided by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in order to perform an official termite inspection on the property.

What is the Purpose of a Termite Inspection?

A WDO Report not only identifies every area on the property that shows signs of infestation or past termite damage, but also the severity of that damage. In addition, your termites will be officially identified.

Not all termites are alike, in fact, there are four different species that could be digging around in and around your home:

• Dampwood
• Drywood
• Subterranean
• Conehead

Each species of termite requires a specific pest control method to get rid of them fast. So not only do you need to determine if you have them, but which ones are invading your home.

Finding Termites Isn’t Easy

Termites aren’t always easy to spot. They tend to pick areas that are hidden that you wouldn’t ordinarily investigate. In fact, if you find thousands of termites in a structure, the infestation has been going on for a very long time. 

Inspectors who specialize in termite damage detection have advanced methods that allow them to accurately identify termite infestation without taking apart the walls and floorboards. However, most termite signs are in plain sight. 

You need an expert who knows these signs so you can exterminate these pests before they wreak havoc on your wood. Some of the indicators of termite mounds or nests are strange and unusual like a pile of discarded wings, mud tubes, hollow wood, and insect droppings.

Termite Inspections Help Prevent Severe Damage

The key to saving money over termite damage is prevention. Although pretreatments exist, you can’t completely stop these destructive insects from finding a way into your home. Therefore the best form of prevention is detection. 

You should have your house inspected for termites at least once a year. If evidence of an infestation is found, you can aggressively treat the problem before it can cause serious damage to the structure of your house.

Time is of the essence because these insects can cause incredible devastation at an alarming rate. Homeowners may be oblivious to 2 million termites munching away at the wood on their property for years. 

Instead, property owners only notice that their floors sag, drywall is discolored, or tiles are loose. As soon as renovation begins, the pests are discovered along with thousands of dollars in more repairs!

Termite Damage is Expensive to Fix

Thousands of dollars is not an overstatement! Pest control treatment and repairing the property damage of these tiny menaces will cost homeowners $3,000 to $9,000 on average. 

What is worse is that most standard home insurances will not cover the damages, forcing you to pay out of pocket.

But my property is a new construction, does it still need a termite inspection?

Even new constructions can be infested with termites! While it’s true that termites are strongly attracted to rotting wood, these insects aren’t picky. 

Even if your property is brand new, they will find a way to survive there. Since the population of these pests is enormous in Florida, they take every opportunity they can and will move into your new home before you do.

Divinity Inspection Services Serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Brooksville

Divinity Inspection Services will meticulously inspect your home from top to bottom and report any signs that may indicate you have a pest problem. Schedule your next home inspection here. 

Once the information is in your hands, it’s up to you to decide what to do with it.

Termites cost property owners in the United States approximately 5 billion dollars every year, according to the National Pest Management Association of America. You must be proactive in pest control to prevent yourself from being a part of that statistic.

Have your home checked annually for termite infestation. Then you can stop them before they can seriously harm your house, garage, shed, fences, or landscaping.