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ABOUT TERMITES
Termites cause more damage to American homes than fire,
earthquakes, and storms. Yet most homeowner's policies
won't cover termite damage. The ONE WAY to put your mind
at ease is to protect your home and finances before
disaster strikes.
When it
comes to termites, "out of sight" doesn't always mean
"out of mind." Signs of a termite infestation are
difficult to spot. Subterranean termites live in
colonies in the soil. They require moisture from the
soil to survive, and can tunnel hundreds of feet to
reach feeding sites such as your home. To reach food
above ground, they build mud tubes to protect them from
exposure to light, air and enemies.
What do termites feed on?
They
feed on cellulose-based material like wood, books,
boxes, furniture and drywall coverings. Termites are
constantly foraging and have been found over 150 feet
from a colony.
Why are termites a threat to my home?
Termite colonies work 24 hours a day, and signs of
termite infestations can go undiscovered until serious
damage is done. Because homeowners insurance typically
does not cover termite damage, termite detection and
continued termite treatment are the best ways to help
protect your property.
Termite Inspection
A
termite inspection
is a visual inspection of the readily accessible areas
of a home for evidence of wood-destroying insects (WDI).
The inspector will visually inspect the interior of a
home (including accessing and entering any sub-space
such as
basements
and
crawlspaces)
and exterior of the property. After the inspection has
been performed, the findings are reported on the
applicable/appropriate form.
Termite Treatment
Do not become unduly alarmed if
you learn that termites are present in the home.
Termites work slowly, so your house will not collapse or
be ruined overnight.
There are many different
types of termite treatments available. So how will you
know which one is best for your home? This decision
should be made carefully, following research of the
options, and advice from your trusted termite
specialist. |
