Which Insects?

The following wood destroying insects can potentially cause damage to your home: termites, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants

Preventative Measures

Here are ten things you can do to deter wood destroying insects from taking up residence in your home:

1. Keep stucco a minimum of 6 inches above grade;
2. Do not allow non-pressure treated wood to touch the ground;
3. Correct any drainage problems that might encourage moisture under the house.  Install a sump pump if necessary;
4. Be sure that the substructure or crawl space is well ventilated;
5. Repair all plumbing or roof leaks as soon as possible;
6. Keep wood piles at least six feet away from the house; 
7. Caulk all exterior cracks  and keep up with needed painting;
8. Trim back all shrubs and trees which are in direct contact with the house;
9. Treat exterior wood decks with an oil based stain;
10. Vent clothes dryers to the outside and install exhaust fans in bathrooms.

If you are applying for an FHA loan, then the answer is "Yes," a certified pest inspection is required.  Even though conventional mortgage lenders do not normally require a certified pest inspection, we highly recommend that you have one done.  The small cost of the inspection more than out weighs the potential for hundreds or thousands of dollars insect damage which could be hidden from view.

What Do Inspectors Do?

Inspectors look for dry rot and excessive moisture throughout the house, both inside and out. All parts of the house are inspected including the attic, roof, eaves, wood structure and the foundation.

Inspectors also look for telltale termite signs such as mud tubes along the foundation or piles of woody-looking fecal pellets. They also look for piles of discarded wings, a sign that the termites have been through the swarming stage, when the kings and queens fly from their old colonies to start new ones.

The pick-and-pry technique may be used to see if wood is sound. Undamaged wood will splinter, damaged wood will break off in chunks.

Finally, a report is prepared identifying which, if any insects present.

Helpful Links

www.northwesttermite.com

www.buginfo.com