Whenever you call over a pest control pro to deal with a termite infestation, he will first perform an inspection. The inspection is essential because it helps determine the species of termites that are responsible for the infestation and the extent of the infestation. Without this information, the pro will not be able to implement effective control measures.
Why the termite inspection process is necessary
The termite inspection process is essential to the overall control procedure because it helps determine the species of the infestation. Different termite species will require completely different control methods.
For example, subterranean termites build their colonies underground, while drywood and dampwood termites build their colonies in the wood directly. As such, when it comes to subterranean termites you have to cut off the pathways between the home and the colony using a chemical barrier that is installed in the ground, or you have to use a baiting system that will get the workers to take poisoned cellulose back to their colony.
With drywood and dampwood termites the control method can be more direct, and all you have to do is locate the colony, and then apply insecticides directly to the wood. The problem with these two species is that if the colonies are very large, the entire home will need to be fumigated. This is why a pro needs to determine how large an infestation is during inspection for these species.
How the inspection process unfolds
The inspection process will depend on your particular situation. Maybe you noticed some mud tubes. This means that you have a subterranean termite infestation in the home. In this case, the pro will have a look at the tubes and try to identify if any parts of the home are badly damaged. In other situations, you may find damaged wood in the home, and call a pro on that basis. Then the inspection can be more complex, because the pro will have to identify the species as well.
What comes after the inspection
After the inspection process, the pro will recommend a course of action. In some situations, you may be able to choose between different control methods and in others there will only be one feasible option. If you have any questions about the termite inspection process, or if you suspect that you have a termite infestation in the home and would like to set up an appointment for an inspection, contact us today.