Larry's Pest Patrol
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Termites

How Often Should I Have my Home Inspected for Termites?

If you own a home, you know that there are many things you must do to keep it in good condition. One of these things is a termite inspection. Many people think termite inspections are unnecessary, but they are imperative since their home is the most significant investment a person will make in their lifetime. In order to protect this investment, it is essential to have periodic termite inspections.

What are termites?

Termites are small, winged insects that live in colonies underground. These insects are known for their ability to eat wood, which can cause severe damage to homes and other structures. Although termites are considered pests, they play an essential role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead wood and other organic matter.

There are more than 2,000 species of termites worldwide. The most common type of termite in the United States is the eastern subterranean termite, which is found in every state east of the Mississippi River. These termites typically build their nests in the soil beneath homes and other structures. While most termites are not harmful to humans, some species can transmit diseases such as malaria.

The risk of not inspecting for termites

Termites can cause extensive damage to your home if left unchecked. These pests can tunnel through wood, feed on it, and quickly eat through your house’s framing. This can weaken the structure of your home and make it more susceptible to collapse. Termites can also damage drywall, insulation, and electrical wiring.

If you suspect you have termites, it’s important to call a pest control professional right away. A qualified expert can identify the signs of termite activity and determine the best course of treatment.

How often to inspect for termites

Termites are one of the most destructive pests in the United States, causing an estimated $5 billion in property damage annually. However, homeowners can take proactive steps to protect their homes from termite damage by having their property regularly inspected for these wood-destroying pests.

How often should a home be inspected for termites? The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommends that homeowners have their homes inspected for termites at least once a year by a trained and certified professional.

Homeowners should be especially vigilant about inspecting for termites if they live in an area where these pests are prevalent or if they have noticed any signs of termite activity on their property, such as piles of wings near entryways or exit holes in wood.

What to expect during a termite inspection

A professional inspector will come to your home and look for signs of termites. They’ll look for things like mud tubes, wood that sounds hollow when tapped, and wings on the floor. They may also use a moisture meter tool to check for moisture in the wood, which can signify termites.

If the inspector finds any signs of termites, they’ll recommend treatment. This usually involves using chemicals to kill the termites and prevent them from returning.

In conclusion, having your home inspected yearly for termites is crucial because they can cause extensive damage to your home if left unchecked. A termite inspection from Larry’s Pest Patrol can give you peace of mind and help you catch an infestation early before it causes severe damage.

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Termites

Termite Inspections in San Juan County

Termites can do some serious damage in a home when left undiscovered behind the walls. They do not make much noise and until they are ready to swarm out of the walls, you will probably not know they are there. But termites are very active in all states except Alaska, so being on guard against termites for residents in San Juan County, NM is definitely a good idea. The absolute best way to protect your home from the devastating effects of termites is to have a routine termite inspection by a pest professional. There are signs you can look for around your home that may indicate a termite issue but having trained eyes looking over your property at regular intervals throughout the year will be your best chance of saving thousands of dollars on repairs from termite damage if discovered too late.

The importance of a termite inspection

Termite inspections in San Juan County should be very thorough and scheduled at least once a year. New Mexico homes are at a moderate to heavy risk of having termite infestations so inspections are key to making sure your home is not being eaten up by these structure destroying insects. There is not a time of year that termites stop eating the cellulose in the wooden beams and boards in the walls. They continually eat all year round, but ramp up activity in the hot summer months. A termite queen will lay 1000 eggs in a single day and can be responsible for starting over 25 colonies in her lifetime. Like ants, termites continually plug away at their work. Unfortunately for you, termite work is weakening the structural integrity of your home bit by bit.

The initial inspection

During a termite inspection, a licensed and trained termite inspector will come into your home to search for termite activity in crawl spaces, under sinks, in the attic, and in unused cabinets. The pest professional will walk around the exterior of the home to look for the dirt or mulch being above the foundation line and if there are any termite mud tunnels attached to the foundation, indicating termites have already found an entrance in the home. After the inspection, the termite inspector will give you a run down of what was discovered, what treatment is recommended, and a quote of what it will cost. After treatment, a full damage report will be made so you know exactly what repairs are needed..

To put your mind at ease about whether or not your home is being destroyed by termites, hire a termite exterminator to inspect and treat your home. For the most thorough termite inspections in San Juan County, give Larry’s Pest Patrol a call today to set up your initial termite inspection so you can quickly rid your home of termites.

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Termites

Termite Control and Prevention in San Juan County

Termites can cause extensive damage and leave you with large repair costs to your home. Because termites are repelled by light, it is unlikely that you will actually see bugs crawling across your floor or along your walls. Termite destruction is done behind walls and under floors unseen, leading to huge infestations if you are not actively looking for signs.

Termite control

Having regular, trained eyes on your San Juan County property will keep your house or commercial property from being destroyed by termites or at least catch an infestation early. Knowing the signs of termites is helpful but you may still worry that termites are lurking behind the walls. Put your mind at ease and have a professional inspect your home at least once a year. A yearly inspection and treatment if necessary will cut off any potential damage from getting out of control and you can know that your greatest asset, your home, is safe.

Don’t put off starting a yearly inspection of your home from the expensive damage of termites. Protect your home from the damaging effects of termites by calling a professional who has a plan to treat your home and property for termites.

Termite treatments in San Juan County

Finding a pest control company that will come to your home at regular intervals to check your property for termites and treat any places if termites are found, can keep your home safe without you having to remember how long it has been since the last inspection. A professional termite exterminator can set up quarterly or yearly inspections so your home is getting a good scan of any potential activity from these wood-eating bugs.

Treatment for termites can include:

  • Sprays and foams sprayed into the walls through tiny holes to eradicate termite colonies.
  • Soil barrier termiticides are placed in the ground around the home.
  • Green options using heat or high voltage can eliminate infestations
  • Bait traps are placed around the outside of the home to exterminate colonies through poisoned food brought back to the colony. 

Prevention

There are a few things you can do to prevent your home from being easily accessible to termites.

  • Keeping dirt and flower bed mulch below the foundation. If the termites infest the mulch and have cover from dirt to find cracks and holes in the foundation, you are making your home look warm and inviting to termites.
  • Wood piles and old stumps close to the house also bring these destructive pests too close for comfort.
  • Fix any water leaks immediately.
  • Ask the termite technician for any specific advice about your property.

When the infestation is discovered, the damage can be so much that your San Juan County home is now structurally compromised. For the very best termite control and prevention, Larry’s Pest Patrol has the experience and practice to inspect your home thoroughly and eradicate your termite problem quickly. Protect your home by setting up a routine termite inspection with Larry’s Pest Patrol today.

Categories
Termites

How Often Should I Have My Home Inspected for Termites?

Having your home inspected for termite infestations is the absolute best way to protect your home from the expensive damage caused by termites. You can learn signs to look for and tips to keep termites from selecting your house as their new home by having a professional putting eyes and experience to work on your property is invaluable in protecting your home. At the very least, you should have a yearly standing appointment with a termite exterminator to go through all the most likely places for termites to build their colony around your property. Quick treatment can greatly reduce the destruction to the structural integrity of your house, giving you peace of mind that you and your family are safe from extensive damage done to your house by termites.

What to expect during an inspection

When you call an experienced professional pest control technician to inspect your home for termites, the pro will leave no corner left unexplored in search of these bugs that can cause so much damage. Preparing your home for a termite inspection will help the technician thoroughly check your home in a timely manner. Clearing out items from dark places like crawl spaces, high unused cabinets, or items outside around the perimeter of the home will greatly help the technicians get a good look at your home.

Having a regular, yearly inspection for termites will help keep your home, family, and your wallet safe from the damaging effects of termites.

Evidence of termites around the house

Searching for signs of termites can be difficult because they stay out of sight. But if you see any evidence that your home has a termite infestation, you need to get your trusted pest control professional on the phone right away. Signs of termites to look for are tube tunnels around the exterior foundation, the appearance of water damage on floors, termite wings around exterior windows, and weak paneling and boards in certain spots around your home.

What kind of damage can termites do?

Because the termites eat cellulose in boards causing structural damage to the home, the destruction can easily be extensive if not caught early. Light repels termites leaving them to cause damage out of sight with little evidence on the surface of walls, wooden furniture, or wood floors. When the infestation is discovered, the destruction can be so much that the home is now structurally compromised. In addition to at least a yearly inspection, be sure to have a professional inspect your home before you sell or before you buy to protect yourself from termite damage.

There is no way around the need for a professional to have their eyes on your home at regular intervals throughout the year to protect your home from the damaging effects of termites. If you are in San Juan County, NM, and suspect termites in your home, give Larry’s Pest Patrol a call today. Larry’s Pest Patrol has been protecting San Juan County residents and commercial property from termite infestations for over 40 years. Don’t leave your home in the hands of anyone but the absolute best termite exterminators in the state. Call Larry’s Pest Patrol for an inspection and free estimate today.