Heartland Building Inspections

Providing professional home and building inspections Since 1989

573-431-7197 or 1-800-246-6564

Wood Destroying Insects (Termite Inspections)    Carpenter ants, termites and a wide variety of other insects destroy billions of dollars worth of property in the United States every year. All homes should be inspected annually for the existence of these threats, as well as inspected prior to sale or purchase. A Wood destroying Insects Termite Inspection can be included with Complete Home Inspection or it can be arranged separately. Our inspector is licensed by the State of Missouri.                                                              

Signs of Infestation                                          

 Generally, the first sign of infestation is the presence of swarming termites on the window or near indoor light. If they are found inside the house, it almost always means that they have infested. Other signs that may be found are termite wings on window sills or in cobwebs, and shelter tubes which are tunnels constructed by the termites from soil or wood and debris. Usually, wood damage is not found at first, but when it is found it definitely reveals a termite infestation. Anywhere wood touches soil is a possible entry into a home for termites. Examine wood which sounds dull or hollow when struck by a screwdriver or hammer.

Termites
 

Missouri has subterranean termites are the most damaging insects of wood. Their presence is hard to notice and damage usually is found before the termites are seen. Prevent infestations because if they occur they will almost always need professional pest control service. Wood destroying insects and other organisms can cause serious problems in the wood structural components of a house and may go undetected of a long period of time

Prevention                                                                            

Many termite problems can be prevented. The most important thing to do is deny termites access to food (wood), moisture and shelter. Follow the suggestions below.

• have at least a 2-inch clearance between the house and planter boxes or soil-filled porches
• eliminate all wood-to-soil contacts such as trellises, fence posts, stair casings and door facings (they can be put on masonry blocks or on treated wood)
• separate shrubbery from the house to help make it easier to inspect the foundation line                     
• use womanized wood (pressure-treated wood) so that rain will not rot it
• seal openings through the foundation                                                
• remove wood scraps or stumps from around foundations
• have at least 12"-18" clearance between floor beams and the soil underneath

Heartland Building Inspections thoroughly inspect suspected areas to determine if there is an infestation, damage, and/or condition that could invite a termite attack or the need of remedial control measures.

 .Call today 573-431-7197 or 1-800-246-6564 to schedule your inspections or  Clink here  to submit an online order.

  Homepage