The idea that your house has termites is the one pest no homeowner wants to see evidence of.
Unlike other bugs, termites can cause extensive damage to a home’s major supports, resulting in repairs, treatments, and sometimes even extensive renovation to return your house to the way it was before.
All of this can cost an extremely pretty penny, especially if you don’t know about it until it’s too late.
This article will make sure that doesn’t happen, providing you with the top tips and tricks that you, as a prospective homeowner, can use to make sure your dream home isn’t infested with termites BEFORE you start the buying process.
Signs Your House Has Termites
Termites can accompany many different signs, which oftentimes makes them hard to diagnose. In fact, most people don’t even know their home has termites until the external damage has become noticeable. By this time, the internal damage is far worse than what one would imagine.
So, it’s important to recognize the subtle signs of termites in a home you’re looking to buy before you get your heart set on it.
Here are some things you can look for when walking through a house for the first time:
- Paint that is cracked or bubbling (this will often resemble water damage)
- Dropping or discolored drywall
- Small, pinpoint holes in the walls
- Tiles or wood flooring that seem loose
- Signs of moisture where moisture wouldn’t logically be
- Internal or external beams that are crumbling or have maze-like patterns on them
- Mud tubes where the house meets the ground or in the home’s crawlspace
Signs of Recent Termite Treatments
Seeing signs of a recent termite treatment around a home you’re looking to buy isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, some homeowners will have their homes treated for the pests preventatively each year, resulting in a home that is structurally sound and move-in ready.
Signs that a house has termites and has been recently treated include:
- Drilling in any concrete or brick veneer around the home
- Evenly spaced holes around the foundation of the home
- Holes in the yard that appear at regular intervals
Additionally, there is a law in effect that was enacted in 1961 requiring any fumigators (including those who treat for termites) to post a sign on the property listing who fumigated, who fumigant was used and when it was done. These signs are usually posted in inconspicuous spots, though, so just because you don’t see one on your first walkthrough doesn’t mean it was never done.
How to Ensure the Home You’re Buying Doesn’t Have Termites
Regardless of how hard you look for the signs, sometimes there simply won’t be anything for you to find if the infestation is very early on. In these situations, the only person who can really tell you if your prospective home has or has had termites is a pest control technician.
During the home buying process, we recommend insisting that a termite inspection be done before you sign any paperwork. Additionally, have a specific pest control company in mind for the inspection, such as Problem Solved Pest, especially if the seller is paying for the inspection.
We say this because some homeowners will look for the cheapest prices possible to get the inspection over with, which means the company they choose may not be reputable.
What to Do if You’ve Already Bought the House
If you’ve already bought the house and you’re just now beginning to wonder if you house has termites, it can easily set you into a panic to see evidence of these pests. After all, who knows what damage they’ve done?
Just because the evidence is there, however, doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. If the damage were too extensive, your general home inspector would have found it when you were finalizing everything.
You will want to get rid of them as soon as possible, though, to prevent any further issues. If you see instances of termites on your property or are worried that the signs might be hiding just out of view, call Problem Solved Pest for a termite inspection today.
We provide comprehensive inspections at great prices, and we never cut corners when it comes to your home. If we find something, we’ll let you know immediately and give you an upfront estimate about what the treatment will cost.
