Termite Inspection Services in Midland & Odessa
- Our termite service
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We offer WDI inspections & reports thru our partnership with Pest Inspection Network. The importance of checking for signs of WDI/termite activity cannot be overstated since termites can cause a substantial amount of damage to your home. If any damage is found, we usually recommend repairs for those areas and provide further recommendations to prevent future susceptibility to termites or other wood destroying insects.
WDI Inspections in Midland & Odessa
A WDI inspection is a visual, thorough examination of a home, checking for signs of wood-destroying insects in or around the property. We have joined the Pest Inspection Network, Inc. TPCL#783068 in order to offer WDI inspections & reports along with our home inspections. Wood-destroying insects (in our area) primarily include: subterranean termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, etc. These insects can go undetected for long periods of time and be very destructive, so the importance of having your investment inspected for signs of WDI activity cannot be overstated.
Our termite inspections / WDI reports include quality photos.
Do I Need a Termite Inspection?
It is always worthwhile to check for noticeable signs of WDI activity (see below) whether in your own home or in one you’re considering for purchase. In some cases, your lender may require a WDI inspection or at least recommend that one gets done, but this is not always the case. But if you are wondering whether you should get one or not, we would recommend it only because the presence of termites may not be immediately obvious and unchecked WDI activity is not something you want to pay for! It can take 3 to 8 years before infestation signs become visible, but early detection means less damage to the home and less money for repairs.
It is estimated that:
-Approximately 600,000 homes are damaged by termites in the US each year.
-$5 billion dollars are spent annually by US residents to control termites and repair damage.
-At least $1 billion dollars are spent on Formosan termite control and repairs each year, although some experts estimate it is closer to $2 billion (according to the USDA).
Structural damage is a very costly problem for home owners and there are preventative measures you can take to
protect your property from termites.
What Can Make a Home Susceptible to Termites?
Leaky pipes, improperly stored firewood, and soil buildup are some of the factors that can make a home susceptible to termite infestations. Leaky pipes or poor drainage makes the soil around a home moist. And soil buildup, especially if it is in contact with the home’s foundation, attracts termites.This is because subterranean termites need both cellulose (they get cellulose from wood) and moisture to live, so they usually burrow into homes to access the wood and then return to the moisture in the earth (See video below of termites in a garage). They can usually be found by wood connected with the house foundation or in cracks in building exteriors. Piles of firewood, logs, stumps, or any wooden objects around the home are also fair game for termites. And if they are stored or located too close to the home, they are far more likely to make their way to the exterior wood of the home. Any structure that is made of wood is susceptible to both types of termites and should be inspected for any WDI activity.
What Do We Look For in a WDI Inspection?
We will look for wood-destroying insects both alive and dead. We will also look for insect shelter tubes and exit holes while noting any visible damage to wood in or around the home. These tubes (sometimes called mud tubes) provide protection for the termites as they go in and out of your home to eat. They do this to keep from being exposed to the dry air for too long. The ground provides moisture and the home provides the wood to eat, so they build these tubes to facilitate transportation between the two locations. Some of the other noticeable signs we check for include looking for softwood which makes a hollow sound when tapped. Much of the interior damage done by termites looks like water damage. So darkened wood or wood that is blistering, sinking ceiling, dips in the floor, bubbling or bulging in the wallpaper or sheetrock are also signs of wood-destroying insects in the home.
