Why Scheduling A Termite Inspection Is A Must

So, you’re buying a home? Congratulations on making it!

Considering the prices of real estate at the moment, you’re probably taking plenty of precautions to ensure that what you’re buying is worth the money. Sure, a regular home inspection will provide you with a great overview of the home’s condition, but it may not help you discover if there is an active termite infestation on the property. 

Termites are very common in Florida, and what they lack in size, they sure make up in their numbers. These small critters can cause massive structural damage over time. Some species of termites can even consume three to four pounds of wood per day.

Buying such a property could put you at a financial disadvantage in the future. It takes a lot of money to eliminate termites, and depending on the extent of damage, you may need thousands of dollars to make the necessary repairs. 

So today, we’ll go into more detail about the danger of termites, why you should check for their presence, and answer some common questions like how much is a termite inspection in Florida.

How termites find their way into homes

Termites aren’t particularly picky about the places they inhabit as they’re attracted to wood and almost all other cellulose materials such as cardboard or paper. They typically follow scent trails and can easily detect moisture in wood surfaces. 

As such, they’re particularly fond of damp homes or areas that suffered water damage in the past - which is not that uncommon in the Sunshine State. 

Once they make their way to the wood-buffet of their choice, they’ll go all in and create tunnels and galleries in wood surfaces, causing catastrophic amounts of damage over time. 

What species of termites are there in Florida?

Since they’re usually not found in plain sight, termites can slowly chip away at the wooden surfaces in a home until it’s too late.

The damage they bring about varies slightly between the species. For instance, subterranean termites are most widespread in the state of Florida. They’re very destructive and hard to detect because they don’t inhabit the home. Rather, they occupy underground colonies and create mud tubes that lead from their nest to the interior of the home. 

In contrast, drywood termites prefer to make the wood inside your home their permanent address. They generally enter the home through small cracks in the wood in hard-to-reach areas like wall voids, crawl spaces, and attics. 

These two types are often slow and meticulous and cause damage over time, which wildly differs from the aggressive Formosan termites. They can do plenty of trouble in a short time, and they reproduce so fast that they can generate the same amount of damage as other species in a fraction of the time. 

The havoc created by all three species can only be described as extensive. They can wreck the foundation, floors, walls, and even the ceiling. All of it can lead not only to costly repairs but a safety hazard as well. In fact, some homes suffered so much termite damage that owners had to fully demolish them. 

What are the signs of a termite infestation?

It’s tough to notice termites when you’re laying eyes on the home for the first time. Still, while homeowners may not spot them when moving about, it’s possible to see evidence of their “crime” if looking hard enough at the right places. 

For example, by inspecting wood surfaces in the home, it’s possible to notice damaged wood or holes the termites have made. 

They may also leave behind frass, which are fecal pellets of various colors. They look a bit like sawdust from the distance and can be found inside kitchen cabinets, floors, windowsills, and attic spaces. 

In some cases, a mature colony will produce reproductive termites. These have wings and their main purpose is to establish new colonies, with a very active period between April and July after heavy rainfall. Since reproductive termites shed their wings, they often discard them on windowsills, making it relatively easy to detect them. 

What does a termite inspection look like?

Termite inspections are very comprehensive (keep this in mind when we go over the details of how much is a termite inspection in Florida). The inspector will visually examine every part of your home, including areas termites prefer to inhabit, such as crawlspaces, cabinets, etc.

It’s necessary to inspect utility rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms as termites can use pipes to make it past concrete barriers. 

The second part of the inspection will take place outside. The inspectors will look at the condition of the foundation, exterior walls, and eaves to check for termites.

A termite inspection also covers additional areas of the property, and it’s necessary to inspect any mounds or damaged wood on the premises. 

How much is a termite inspection in Florida?

Now that you’ve got all the facts and want to check the home for termites, you’re probably wondering how much is a termite inspection in Florida.

We hate to disappoint you here, but it’s impossible to provide you with an average because there are too many factors to consider. The size of the home is a major contributor to the overall price, and so is the distance between the property and the inspector’s office. 

Plus, the price tag varies depending on how busy the schedule is. 

However, the good news is that checking the home for termites is normally cheaper than a regular home inspection, and you can save more money by bundling the two together.

Factoring in just how detailed a termite inspection is, it’s a cheap service that supplies you with critical information. 

Future-proof your investment

Florida is no stranger to heat and humidity, which are the things termites need to thrive. If you’re buying a home, a termite inspection is as important as other professional checkups, if not more.

So, who should you call?

Ask your realtor, and there’s a high chance they already heard about Guardian Angel Inspections. During our lustrous career, we helped many homeowners make certain their investment is as sound as it can be. 

With Guardian Angel Inspections, you come first, which is why we offer competitive prices and allow you to bundle different services together to save even more money. 

Schedule an inspection by filling out this contact form or dialing 561-512-7854.