Termite Inspections
Wood destroying insects invade homes and businesses. Let Hawley Inspections take care of them for you.
Wood DestroyingInsects
It is estimated that homeowners across the country spend $5 billion each year on termite control and repairs to the damage they cause. Termite prevention is relatively inexpensive and recommended in all but our coldest states. In our area, subterranean termites, carpenter bees, and carpenter ants are a problem. Treatment for these pests is relatively inexpensive compared to the damage they cause.
Know Your Pest
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees drill into exterior wood surfaces such as soffits, facia, wood siding, and decks. The bee makes a hole about 3/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter and lays her eggs. The initial hole is only the beginning because woodpeckers will hunt for the bee larvae and cause additional damage. Carpenter bees can sometimes be controlled by using traps, but a pest control company is usually required.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants also live in the wood framing of houses and, like carpenter bees, do not eat the wood but tunnel into it to make their nest. Carpenter ant infestations are indicated by deposits of trash which consists of sawdust and insect parts. Control of carpenter ants usually requires the services of a pest control company.
Termites
Subterranean termites are the major cause of structural damage from insects. Termite nests may be 10 to 12 feet underground and are located as far away as 100 feet from your home. Termites require moisture and build mud tunnels on the exterior of surfaces to search for food. Because a mud tunnel is usually the first sign of an infestation by termites, it is important to keep landscaping materials away from foundations.
Find OutIf You Have Termites
If you find any of these signs in your house, call us for a wood destroying insect inspection. Swarming ants are often confused with swarming termites. If you have swarming insects, we recommend you collect a few in a jar for us to examine. We will be able to quickly identify the insect and advise you on what action to take.
All of our home inspections include a wood-destroying insect inspection and a 120-day termite warranty.
Signs of Infestation Can Include:
- Wood damage
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Small pinpoint holes in drywall
- Soft spots in floors
- Mud in construction joints and mud tubes on foundation walls or floor joists
- Evidence of swarming insects
