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Termites And WDO

Termite Control in the Home

Wood destroying insects and other organisms can cause serious problems in the wood structural components of a house and may go undetected for a long period of time.

 

New Construction

 

All chemical soil treatments, bait systems, and chemical wood treatment must be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and applied in accordance with the EPA label instructions. In some cases it is not feasible for a builder to arrange for soil treatment. In this regard, the International Residential Code (IRC) by the International Code council allows a builder to utilize pressure treated wood as a measure of termite protection. If pressure treated wood is used, however, it must be used in all framing members up to and including the top plate of the first floor level wall. This includes the subfloor and floor joists of the first floor. The use of pressure treated wood in only the sill plate is not acceptable. In such cases, the builder must provide the lender with a letter stating that the house is protected from termites by the use of pressure treated wood. The builder must also provide the home buyer with a one year warranty against termites. The use of post-construction soil treatment where the chemicals are applied only around the perimeter of the foundation is NOT acceptable in new construction.

 

Appraisers Observations

 

Appraisers are to observe all areas of the house and other structures/areas within the legal boundaries of the property that have potential for infestation by termites and other wood destroying organisms, including the bottoms of exterior doors and frames, wood siding in contact with the ground and crawl spaces. Mud tunnels running from the ground up the side of the house may indicate termite infestation. Observe the eave and gable vents and wood window sills for indication of the entrance of swarming termites and note excessive dampness or large areas where the vegetation is dead. Evidence of active termite infestation must be noted.

 

Termites
 

 

Subterranean termites are the most damaging insects of wood. Their presence is hard to notice and damage usually is found before the termites are seen. Prevent infestations because if they occur they will almost always need professional pest control service.

 

Signs of Infestation

 

Generally, the first sign of infestation is the presence of swarming termites on the window or near indoor light. If they are found inside the house, it almost always means that they have infested. Other signs that may be found are termite wings on window sills or in cobwebs, and shelter tubes which are tunnels constructed by the termites from soil or wood and debris.

Usually, wood damage is not found at first, but when it is found it definitely reveals a termite infestation. Anywhere wood touches soil is a possible entry into a home for termites. Examine wood which sounds dull or hollow when struck by a screwdriver or hammer. Inspect suspected areas with a sharp, pointed tool such as an ice pick to find termite galleries or their damage.

 

Control

 

Control measures include reducing the potential infestation, preventing termite entry and applying chemicals for remedial treatment.

 

Inspection

 

Inspect thoroughly to determine if there is an infestation, damage, and/or conditions that could invite a termite attack or the need fo remedial control measures. The tools and equipment needed for an inspection include a flashlight, ice pick or sharp-pointed screwdriver, ladder and protective clothing.

 

Outdoors

 

Check the foundation of the house, garage and other buildings for shelter tubes coming from the soil. Look closely around porches, connecting patios, sidewalks, areas near kitchens or bathrooms and hard-to-see places. Check window and door frames and where utility services enter the house for termite infestation or wood decay. Also look behind shrubbery or plants near walls. Pay special attention to areas where earth and wood meet such as fences, stair carriages or trellises. Open and check any exterior electrical meter or fuse box set into the wall, a common point of infestation.

 

Indoors

 

Carefully check all doors, window facings, baseboards and hardwood flooring. Discoloration or stains on walls or ceilings may mean that water is leaking and can decay wood and aid termite infestation. It is very important to inspect where plumbing or utility pipes enter the foundation or flooring. Also examine the attic for shelter tubes, water leakage, and wood damage.

.

 PreventionMany termite problems can be prevented. The most important thing to do is deny termites access to food (wood), moisture and shelter.Follow the sugestions below.

 

  • have at least a 2-inch clearance between the house and planter boxes or soil-filled porches
  • elimiate all wood-to-soil contacts such as trellises, fence posts, stair casings and doorfacings (they can be put on masonary blocks or on treated wood)
  • separate shrubbery from the house to help make it easier to inspect the foundation line
  • use wolmanized wood (pressure-treated wood) so that rain will not rot it
  • seal openings through the foundation
  • remove wood scraps or stumps from around foundations
  • have at least 12″-18″ clearance between floor beams and the soil underneath

 

Chemical Treatment

 

 Termite treatment often requires specialized equipment. Therefore, it is recommended that you always use the services of a pest control operator because he is familiar with construction principles and practices, has the necessary equipment and knows about subterranean termites.

 

Exterminating Termites

If you think you have a termite infestation in your house, you need to call a structural pest control company to conduct a professional inspection. To find a company, ask friends or coworkers for recommendations, or check the yellow pages. If the inspection finds evidence of drywood termites, you have several options, depending on the degree of infestation. Fumigation and heating of the entire house are the only options that ensure eradication in the entire structure. If the infestation is contained in a small area, local or spot control may be effective. However, hidden infestations in other part of the structure will not be eredicated.

 

Total (Whole-House) Eradication

 

For the heat method, pets, plants, and other items that might be damaged by high temperatures must be removed. The house is then covered with tarps, and hot air is blown into the tarp until the inside temperature reaches 140 to 150F and the temperature of the structural timbers reaches 120F. The time to complete this procedure varies greatly from one structure to another, depending on factors such as the building’s construction and the weather conditions. The procedure may not be practical for structures that cannot be heated evenly.

 

Local or Spot Control

 

Local or spot control methods include the use of pesticides, electric current, extreme cold, localized heat, microwave energy, or any combination of these methods. Local or spot control also includes the removal and replacement of infested structural timber. These methods are intended to remove or kill termites only within the specific targeted area, leaving open the possibility of other undetected infestations within the structure. These treatments are NOT designed for whole-house eradication. Any pest control company that claims whole-house results with local or spot control methods is guilty of false advertising and should be reported.

 

Local or spot treatment with pesticides involves drilling and injecting pesticides into infested timbers, as well as the topical application of toxic chemicals. The electric current method involves delivering electric energy to targeted infestations. For the extreme cold method, liquid nitrogen is pumped into wall voids adjacent to suspected infestation sites, reducing the area to -20F. The localized heat method involves heating infested structural timbers to 120F. The microwave method kills termites by directing microwaves into termite-infested wood.

 

If you see the following signs in your house, you might have termites:

 
sawdust-like droppings
dirt or mud-like tubes or trails on the structure
damaged wood members (like window sills)
swarming winged insects within the structure, especially in the spring or fall

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Bungalows to Mansions Professional Inspection Services
9014 SW 75th Way
Gainesville, Florida 32608
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(352) 871-8989
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Reviews

Google Rating
4.3
Bungalows to Mansions Professional Inspection Services, LLC
Bungalows to Mansions Professional Inspection Services, LLC
4.3
Valentina Fandino
Valentina Fandino
17:43 30 Jun 21
Bruce was extremely thorough, efficient, and quick to get us the report for a home we wanted to purchase. Not only was he extremely professional but super personable, made the inspection experience less scary for a first time home buyer like me, and gave us excellent feedback and ideas. I really appreciate this company and Bruce’s work ethic! Will call them again in the future for any other inspections.
Adam Ursell
Adam Ursell
16:43 21 Jul 20
Bruce is very thorough and helpful! A good decision all around. We were recently interested in purchasing a property, we had Bruce inspect it and found signs that indicated potential defective drywall in the home. This was also suspected by an inspector who had seen the home in 2019. We asked the seller to do a chemical test of some of the walls, which they refused, so we cancelled our offer as we had no definitive way of knowing whether it was defective drywall or not besides the sellers word, which for a home that could need an immense amount of work is something we weren't willing to take at face value. The seller did provide documentation so far as an inspection from several years prior and a note from the construction companies purchasing agent, but we found this insufficient to set our worries at ease. Though we cancelled during our inspection period, the seller also tried to claim our deposit as well as slandering everyone we worked with, which was completely unnecessary as we were perfectly within our rights and due process in doing this. We wanted buyers to know we trust Bruce thoroughly, as he himself was very thorough and alerted us to things we needed to know. Though we ended up not proceeding with the home he inspected, he also took time investigating the home after the inspection with us by reviewing older inspection documents and even reaching out to prior inspectors personally. We wanted to thank him for all his time and effort making sure we knew exactly what we were buying. Thank you so much my friend! We will continue to use and recommend your service! =)
Yeni Monroy
Yeni Monroy
21:27 25 Oct 17
Very professional, excellent work, prompt and polite. Goes the extra mile to help you with any request from insurances or realtors needs. Always available for any questions you may have . I've use them more than once and wouldn't hesitate in referring them.
Carl Pennick
Carl Pennick
23:50 10 Jan 17
As a fellow inspector I have always trusted Bruce for advise and 2nd opinions when I have found issues carrying out my own home inspections. His knowledge on home inspections is 2nd to none.
Wade Swikle
Wade Swikle
21:10 03 Feb 16
Bruce provides years of experience in home inspections, and is incredibly involved in the real estate community. It's no wonder some of Gainesville's top Realtors continuously trust Bruce to take great care of their client's home inspection needs!
Joe Prager
Joe Prager
23:00 22 Aug 13
I have used Bruce Graham for inspections at my own home (two wind mitigation reports) and have referred my real estate customers to him. He does a stellar job. He is very thorough, and detailed and finds a lot of problems that other inspectors might miss. His professionalism is well known in the community and he points out flaws he finds in a fair and balanced manner - explaining any findings in clear and understandable terms to the home buyer. (I know of some inspectors that become quite dramatic and scare buyers if they find lots of problems, which to me is unprofessional - but Bruce is not like that.) Bruce is very well qualified (he is a general contractor and InterNASHI member, and has lots of experience. His reports offer detailed explanations and photos and can be used as a "to do list" to fix up a home afterwards. I suspect whomever posted the negative review is a competitor, as I been with Bruce on about 10 inspections and his work was outstanding. In one inspection, he found a bad blower motor on a Trane air handler on a bank foreclosure property.. It was an intermittent problem, so we called the listing agent and asked for the local A/C guy to come out and fix it before the closing.. They came out but could not find the problem, so I had them come back a 2nd time and I was there, too, and they still could not duplicate the problem. But, just as Bruce had predicted, two days after the buyers moved in, the blower motor FAILED... we were able to go back to the listing agent and seller and demand that they pay the $400 to replace the fan. Bruce was right all along - it was bad stator winding on the fan. So, if you want your inspection done right, give Bruce a try. His new company name is 1st Inspections Florida.
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