What to Expect From an Inspection & How to Prepare

Have you scheduled a termite inspection for your home? Good! While some people only have their homes inspected when they’re moving in or out of a house, savvy homeowners know that an annual inspection is the best way to prevent termites from infesting their homes. What should you expect once your termite inspector arrives? We have the information you need, along with tips for preparing for your termite inspection.

Termite inspection by Mightlymite termite in Bay Area, CA

Termite inspectors are trained to spot signs of a termite infestation that a homeowner may have missed. They can also explain to you how to better protect your home from termites, as well as recommend the right termite treatment for your specific situation. In addition to looking for any current signs of termites, termite inspectors look for signs of past infestation and damage, as well as weak spots where termite activity is likely to occur in the future. They look for all accessible locations for termites to gain entry to your home, as well as issues that may be creating a welcoming environment for termites to thrive. Structural issues and moisture issues are two major factors, including standing water on the roof or in the crawl space, water that pools around the foundation, or wood touching the foundation or house. Things like shrubbery that grow too close to the wood siding, wood mulch against the foundation, and wooden deck support that is in direct contact with the soil are all red flags for a termite inspector.

Termite inspectors are educated on termite behavior and know how to spot signs of termite activity. For subterranean termites, for instance, the inspector will look closely at the inside and outside perimeter of the house, including the foundation, basement, crawlspace, or attic. Drywood termites are more common in exposed wood, hardwood floors, attics, crawlspaces, and eaves will also be the focus of the termite expert’s inspection. Your termite inspector is likely to spend time inspecting both the interior and exterior of your home for signs of termites, looking especially for entry points like cracks in the foundation, expansion joints, hollow block walls, the side of the foundation, and piers. They will point out to you if you have any maintenance issues that could attract termites, like leaking plumbing.

Termite inspectors are looking for specific signs of termite activity, and homeowners would be wise to keep an eye out for these things too. If you do spot any signs of termite activity on your own, it’s important to call for professional termite treatment as soon as possible, as these signs indicate that termites are already active on your property. Signs of an infestation include:

Wood damage
Mud tubes
Discarded wings
Termite droppings (frass) that look something like sawdust or sand
Termite exit holes
Hollow or damaged wood
Live termites

You can help your termite inspector by preparing your home for the inspection. Start by clearing out any items that are under your sinks in the kitchen and bathroom. This is because the termite inspector will need to check your water sources. Termites need moisture to survive, so they are drawn to any area with high moisture levels. Moving on to your garage, move anything that is against the wall, leaving at least two to three feet of space for the termite inspector can see where the walls meet the garage floor. If you have a basement or a crawl space, be aware that your inspector will need to look at it. Make it easy on the inspector by clearing the way, moving any items that would prevent easy access, and making sure that nothing in the crawl space or basement will impede your inspector’s work. Similarly, make sure it’s easy to access the attic and to see the walls and floors. Take a critical look at your landscaping in advance of the inspection, too, cutting back any plants that would keep the inspector from getting a good look at the foundation.

If your inspector notices any signs of termite activity, he or she will work with you to develop a termite treatment plan. If any areas are not accessible, but the inspector suspects termite activity, he or she will make a note of it so that a more comprehensive inspection can be done at a later date, with special equipment if needed. In some cases, it may be necessary to drill small holes in walls or floors to look for termite activity. Termite inspectors are very thorough so they can help you keep termites from damaging your home and costing you money.

At MightyMite Termite Services, we’ve earned a reputation as experts in California termite control. We perform termite inspections to ensure that your home is free of termites and work hard to help you keep it that way, using treatments that are naturally derived and have a low impact on the environment. We diagnose and treat infestations with the most effective methods and unmatched warranties, solving your termite problems the first time, with an industry-best “no call-back rate.” That, combined with our experience, technology, and highly trained professional staff, makes us the leading extermination company in the Bay Area. We understand that your home is your most important investment, so we work hard to provide excellent service, utilizing best practices to solve our customers’ termite problems. For more information, email Info@mightymitetermite.com, call us today at 408.335.7053, or contact us through our website.