Termites are a problem in every state in the United States, with the exception of Alaska. In the lower 48 plus Hawaii, at least 70 percent of all wooden structures have some degree of termite infestation. That’s why termite pest control in Frisco TXis so important. The first step in controlling termites, though, is finding out if you have them in your home and that means calling in a termite inspector to do a thorough check of your house to look for evidence of termite activity.
Inside Your Home
The inspection begins at the front door of your home with the inspector checking the doorframe for signs of termite damage. He’ll do this throughout your entire home using a special tool to tap on door and window frames. The tool will help him hear if the wood has any hollow spots that could indicate a termite gallery or tunnel. He’ll also go from room to room, checking paint and wallpaper to look for any soft spots or exit holes that might mean that termites have eaten the sheetrock behind it. He’ll also pay attention to soft spots in your flooring if you have a wooden subfloor. He’ll check all of these surfaces for piles of wings shed by swarming drywood termites.
The inspector will check inside cabinets, paying special attention to those that have water pipes inside them that may leak like those in the bathrooms and kitchen. If you have a crawlspace, the inspector will check for damage underneath your home. He will usually check your attic space, too, especially if he finds evidence in your home of termite infestation. He’ll pay special attention to rafters and joists to make sure there is no damage to load-bearing members in your attic and roof.
Outside Your Home
You may not think that an inspection of the exterior of your home is as important to termite pest control in Frisco TX as an inspection of the interior, but the exterior of your home will likely give an inspector the most obvious proof of a termite problem. Unlike the interior wood and sheetrock of your home, which is covered in paint or wallpaper making it hard to see termite damage, exterior evidence will be easy to spot. The inspector will check the foundation for mud tubes running from the ground up to the wood or siding of the house. He’ll check the eaves, especially where gutters and downspouts are attached. He’ll also check any wooden structures that are attached to the house, like decks, and he’ll check wooden structures, like sheds, that are located near your home.
Termites are relentless and the damage they cause is extensive. In fact, they cause over $50 billion a year in damage to homes and other buildings. That’s why you should have a termite inspection every year, even if you have a contract with a pest control company. To get expert help with your termite problem – or to put your mind at ease about termites – call the best company for termite pest control in Frisco TX, Bug Commander Pest Control, at (214) 307-1933. Or visit our website today.