Residents of Illinois, I understand that pest inspection is not something that you may think about in your everyday lives. However, pest inspection might be very important if you are planning to buy or sell a property! Pests can cause a great amount of damage to people’s homes, causing all kinds of issues such as damage to structural property and it’s important to know the state of your property before you purchase or sell it. 

One of these pests that can cause a great deal of damage are termites. In this article, we will go through why you should get a termite inspection, how to identify a termite infestation, what does getting an inspection entail, the cost of an inspection, and how to look for good companies for inspection. 

Understanding the Importance of Termite Inspection:

Termites damage 600,000 homes in the US each year. They along with other pests also cause an estimated $30 billion in damage to crops and man-made structures. Home owners spend around $5 billion annually to control termite invasions and repair termite damage (TodaysHomeOwner.com). It is clear that termites are a major problem when it comes to homecare, but what are they specifically and what about them is so dangerous to people’s homes?

Termites are insects that feed on wood for nutrition, specifically the cellulose contained inside the wood. They can cause great amounts of damage to homes, such as weakening the structural integrity of a building, which can in turn lead to costly repairs. 

The immense damage caused by termites is one of the reasons why getting a termite inspection is so important. The cost of getting an inspection is worth it when considering the massive costs termite damage may bring. 

It is also required in many real estate transactions. Many real estate transactions may require a wood destroying insect inspection. 

Signs You May Need A Termite Inspection Right Now

There are many signs you may need a termite inspection, they are mainly based on the signs that termites are already present in your area. 

Mud Tubes: Mud tubes are built by subterranean termites on structures such as exterior wall foundations and are used for travel for termites to go from their colony to various food sources

Damaged Wood: Any wood that has visible damage that looks like a honeycomb pattern or any wood that gives off a hollow sound when tapped could be signs of a termite infestation due to them eating wood. 

Discarded Wings: Winged termites known as swarmers may roam around the area, they often leave behind discarded wings around windows and doors, these can also be a sign of infestation (StaySafe). 

The Process of a Professional Termite Inspection: What to Expect

Professionals looking at your house may inspect both the interior and exterior of your home, specifically looking for certain signs such as entry points. These entry points could be cracks in the foundation of the house, hollow block walls, etc (MightyMite). 

During an inspection, professionals will conduct a visual inspection of various accessible parts of the house such as attics and crawl spaces. They will also probe certain spaces, check for damages, and sound wooden surfaces to determine their presence. 

They may also conduct preventative measures examinations such as methods to reduce moisture around the house foundation and removal of food sources like wood debris from the home. 

How to Find the Best Termite Inspection Services Near You

There are many ways to find the best termite inspection services near you. You can first start by asking around for references from family and friends to see if anyone recommends a company that does termite inspection and has great service). 

You can also go online to search for termite inspection companies near you and look at their online reviews to evaluate what specific kind of services they offer. Compare that with your specific situation and then determine which company works best for you. While looking for a termite inspection company:

1. Ensure that the termite inspection company has technicians who are certified to do such inspections. 
2. Also ensure that they provide a NPMA-33 form. These forms are required for three types of real estate transactions:
3.  HUD/VA loans: The NPMA-33 form is required for any real estate transactions involving HUD/VA guaranteed properties.
4. Conventional transactions: The NPMA-33 form is typically used for conventional transactions.
5.  Traditional mortgage lenders: The NPMA-33 form is required when traditional mortgage lenders require a wood-destroying insect (WDI) inspection.

Remember that many pest control companies do not offer termite inspection services. This could be due to a lack of certified technicians or a reluctance to assume the liability associated with issuing a NPMA-33 form. Always ensure that you choose a company that is qualified and willing to handle such critical inspections.

The Cost of Termite Inspections: Is It Worth the Investment?

The average termite inspection costs approximately $250, however, as stated earlier the investment is worth it in many situations (Forbes). For example, if you are selling your house, some contracts even require a termite inspection beforehand. 

Termite damage costs people $5 billion annually because they cause a great amount of damage to structural property in your house. Considering the costs involved in damage control, termite inspection is definitely worth the investment. 

Conclusion: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late—Schedule Your Termite Inspection

It is important as residents in Illinois to be aware of the dangers of termite infestations and the damage they could cause to your house, and to determine if a termite inspection is worth it. If an infestation has already occurred or you are generally worried about one, feel free to contact Yosemite Pest & Rodent Solutions. We offer services for termite inspection in  Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Aurora, Oswego, Yorkville, Wheaton and other surrounding cities in the Chicagoland area. Our phone number is (630) 779-7674.