Termite inspections have long been the responsibility
of the seller. However, these days more and more buyers are arranging their own termite inspection with a home inspector.
Here’s why: - Home inspectors are more thorough because they get to see all areas
of the house over a longer period of time.
- Its
cheap, only $50
- Home inspectors work for you
and wont try to sell you a treatment you don’t need.
Interestingly, the shift towards home inspectors has just been in the last 7 years. Our company, Accurate
Home Inspections, performed the very first independent inspections in Virginia. Now there are over 100 Home inspectors
performing termite inspections. An Accurate Termite Inspector is experienced, convenient and trustworthy.
A
typical homeowner's insurance policy does not cover destruction caused by termites, even though they cause over 1 billion
dollars in damage to homes throughout the United States each year. It’s important that homeowners understand the threat
of termites, and take the necessary steps to protect their homes.
Subterranean termites are extremely destructive.
First they build tunnels to wooden structures, and then they burrow into those structures to obtain food. Any wood or cellulose-containing
material constitutes termite food, and given time to do so, they’ll eat until nothing is left but a shell. Termites
avoid light and air, so they build their colonies where you’re not likely to stumble upon them.
On the off
chance you do see them, remember that it’s easy to confuse termites with ants. Fortunately, there are features that
distinguish them.
Ants - narrow waists
- bent antennae
- two sets of wings (one wing is longer than
the other)
Termites - thick waists
- straight antennae
- two
sets of wings (same size)