Termite Inspections

Termites – if left untreated – can attack your home and even destroy it completely. However, there are steps you can take to eradicate this problem.  When buying a new home, termite damage should always be a consideration.  Getting an inspection will give you a much better idea of the extent of the problem you are facing, where the termites are located and the possible means you will have at your disposal for tackling the problem. 

Mirowski Inspections licensed termite inspectors are trained to recognize existing termite damage that homeowners and real estate agents may not recognize as threats.After the inspection, the inspectors will issue a report outlining potential threats for future infestation, such as damp basements, piles of wood, wood to ground contact, or fallen trees near the home.

When it comes to termites, "out of sight" doesn't always mean "out of mind." Signs of a termite infestation are difficult to spot, and many termites even tunnel hundreds of feet to reach a home or feeding site.  That’s why getting a Mirowski Home Inspection with a termite inspection is crucial to help protect your home.

Get A Termite Inspection 

If you have any worries at all about termites in your home, the best course of action is to get a termite inspection so that you are aware of the full extent of the problem. Termite control is a very important issue for homeowners – your home is most likely the largest investment you will make. So it is very necessary to protect it. Termites, once they have taken hold of your property, could destroy it. You do not want to engage in a struggle with termites as they can be long and costly.

The inspector is not responsible for inspecting areas that are inaccessible.  Find out what areas are inaccessible and do what you can to open them up.

Frequently Asked Termite Questions 

1. What does a termite inspection entail?  A termite inspection is a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of a home for evidence of wood-destroying insects (WDI) and wood-destroying organisms (WDO). The inspector will visually inspect the entire interior of a home (including accessing and entering any sub-space such as basements and crawlspaces) and exterior of the property.  In areas where Drywood termites are prevalent, and in houses where there are no sub-areas, the attic may also be accessed and inspected.  After the inspection has been performed, the findings are reported on the applicable/appropriate form.
2. How long does an inspection take?  The average termite or pest inspection takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes for a thorough inspection, depending on the size and conditions (e.g. clutter; storage of personal items, etc.) of the home and property.
3. Can termites live in colder climates?  Yes, termites can live in colder climates and have been found throughout the United States, even in Alaska!  Cold weather does not kill them off; rather it slows them down or causes them to go into a hibernation state.
4. Why inspect the attic if termites stay close to the ground?  The termite inspection is actually an inspection for wood-destroying insects and organisms’ .The inspector is also looking for ants, bugs, and fungus. Sometimes, in areas where Drywood termites are prevalent, and in houses where there are no sub-areas, the attic may also be accessed and inspected. Inspectors routinely look in the attic area for Drywood termite pellets (fecal matter), which are oblong, vary in color from light gray to very dark brown, and are only 2 to 3 millimeters long. They generally accumulate on surfaces or in spider webs near the eaves area of the attic.
5. What do termites look like?   Subterranean termite colonies consist of three different castes–reproductive, workers and soldiers.  All of the Subterranean termites are generally creamy white in appearance and are translucent, looking very much in size, shape and color as a grain of rice.  The reproductive, or “swarmers,” have a pair of even-sized wings and are often mistaken for flying ants.  The workers look similar to the “swarmers,” only they are a little smaller and do not have wings.  The soldiers are also similar except for their oversized heads and large, crushing mandibles.
6. What is the difference between carpenter ants and termites? There are a number of differences between carpenter ants and termites.  The body shape of a carpenter ant is like an hourglass–it narrows between the abdomen in the rear and the thorax in the front.  The body of a termite is more cigar-shaped without the narrowing between the front and back halves of the body.  When wings are present, carpenter ants have larger wings in the front and smaller wings in the back, whereas termite “swarmers” have relatively equal-sized wings.  Carpenter ant wings are less “veiny” than termite wings.  Also, ant wings have a stigma (dark spot) on the leading edge of the front wing, and termite wings do not.  Carpenter ant antennae are bent or curved, while termite antennae are relatively straight.  Also, termites eat the wood they tunnel through and ants do not.
7. How do you treat termites? There are several methods available to treat Subterranean termites.  A chemical treatment is the most common treatment type available for Subterranean termites.  The goal of a Subterranean termite chemical treatment is to establish a continuous termiticide barrier between the termite colony (usually in the soil) and wood in a building.  This is done by placing termiticide in the soil on both sides of all foundation elements to provide a barrier preventing termites from entering the structure.  In-ground baiting systems are also becoming a popular method for treatment of Subterranean termites.  A subterranean termite baiting system involves placement of cellulose (wood material) bait stations at strategic locations around the perimeter of the home.
8. Could there be hidden termite damage? Absolutely!  One of the main characteristics of termites and termite colonies is their tendency to avoid open air and bright lights, meaning they will stay underground or within wood products.  It is almost impossible for an inspector to visually identify or locate an active termite infestation just by looking at the finished surface of a wall or the accompanying trim.
9. Is a termite inspection included with the cost of a general home inspection?  No, it is not.  The initial cost of a general home inspection does not include any other inspections.