Everything You Need To Know About Termite inspection cost

If you own a home in Florida, you not only need to worry about hurricanes and tornadoes, but also have to contend with all sorts of critters. Although not as destructive as major disasters, termites can cause significant damage to the exterior and interior of your home over time. 

So how can you keep your home safe?

Continue reading and you’ll learn all about termites - from the most dangerous species in Florida and signs of their activity to the benefits of a termite inspection and the termite inspection cost.

Most Common Types Of Termites In Florida

Termites are the most harmful insects found in homes throughout all parts of The Sunshine State. They typically measure about three millimeters in length, and you’ll likely only see them once the infested wood breaks open. 

Unfortunately, the humid Florida climate is a breeding ground for several types of termites, some of which include:

1. Subterranean termites

This is both the most common and damaging type of termite in the state. They form colonies that consist of workers, soldiers, and swarmers who are in charge of reproduction.

The swarmers have eyes and a set of wings, which allows them to fly to new locations and form their own colonies. They tend to form nests in damp soil and damp wood in contact with the soil. That way, they can freely go in between the soil and the wood through mud tubes.

Subterranean termites will destroy everything in their path, from cellulose and wood, all the way to cotton, plant fibers, and paper.

2. Dampwood termites

These termites love high humidity, and they’re most commonly found in the southern portion of Florida. They’ll gravitate toward places in which wood is in contact with the soil or places where the wood is connected to water - i.e. a leak or standing water.

3. Drywood termites

In contrast to the previous two types, drywood termites create colonies in wood structures instead of nesting in the soil. This means they’ll thrive on the wooden surfaces in your home while being fully incognito, destroying your home’s structure from the inside.

Signs Of A Termite Infestation

Before we go into the termite inspection cost and what it covers, you first need to learn about common signs of a termite invasion. 

The bad news is that termites are very hard to detect, which can be a huge problem as they can live for up to two years and consume about a pound of wood per day. You do the math.

For most homeowners, it’s near impossible to find solid evidence of a termite infestation (you’ll need a professional for that), but there are certain signs that point to the presence of termites, such as:

1. Termite wings

If you’re vigilant during springtime, you can find discarded termite wings. As we already mentioned, swarmer termites can fly and they’ll usually emerge from their nests in spring to form new colonies.

Look around your windowsill and you may be able to find remains of termite wings.

2. Damaged wood

Finding damaged wood is generally the biggest sign of termite presence. However, it’s hard to see the signs until it’s too late because termites destroy the wood from the inside.

While you can walk around your home tapping on wood surfaces to find the ones that sound hollow, an expert checkup can confirm if there are termites in your home with 100% certainty - making the termite inspection cost worth it.

3. Mud tubes

You can find these tubes near the foundation of your home, as they provide easy access to your home and supply the termites with enough moisture.

4. Termite droppings

If you’re attentive with your search, you can find termite droppings in your home. They’ll normally look like a pile of pellets. Coming across droppings is a sign you’re close to the termite nest, but there is a kicker. Termite excrement doesn’t wear out, meaning that without professional help, you won’t be able to tell if it’s evidence of a previous infestation or one that is occurring at the moment.

5. Bubbling paint

If your home’s exterior has bubbling paint, it may be a sign of termite activity. Since termites eat away wood, the untreated wood on the exterior can lead to bubbling and uneven paint. 

How A Termite Inspection Can Help

Your home is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for these critters, and they don’t pose a danger to just your furniture. They can also spread to the interior of your walls or floors, where they will slowly eat away at the very structure of your home.

The problem is, a regular person will have a tough time finding signs of a termite presence since they inhabit areas of your home that are outside of reach. By scheduling a termite inspection, you either rule out the existence of termites or get a chance to eliminate them early - long before they cause extensive damage to your home. 

For example, repairing the damage and getting rid of a late-stage termite infestation can run you over $4000, which is not a number you should ignore. 

A termite check is also important if you plan on selling your home in the future, as a history of termites turning up is a red flag for many buyers. By conducting regular checkups, you can demonstrate to the new owners that the problem is 100% a thing of the past.

Termite Inspection Cost

In Florida, this examination is regularly a part of a larger WDO (wood destroying organisms) inspection required for buyers that are applying for a mortgage. Think of it this way - it won’t only help protect your home from termites, but from other wood-destroying insects too, as well as fungus and mold.

On average, a termite inspection cost ranges between $125 and $225. The larger your home and affliction, the higher the price.

When you compare the termite inspection cost to that of fixing the damage of the late-stage infestation, the termite inspection cost is almost negligent.

Schedule A Termite Inspection With Guardian Angel Inspections

Termites can cause a world of trouble for you, which is why you should schedule an inspection, regardless of whether you’re planning on selling your home.

It can buy you peace of mind and help avoid future costs of termite damage, which is something no Florida citizen can avoid.

Contact Guardian Angel Inspections to book an inspection with experts who will use their years of experience and the latest tech available to discover the presence of termites in your home, no matter where they are located.

Call us today at 561-512-7854 or fill out our contact form and stop the termite problem dead in its tracks.