When is the best time to get a termite inspection?

When it comes to protecting your home and family, timing can mean the difference between prevention and costly remediation. This is especially true when it comes to termites! Early detection of termite activity in and around your home is key to preventing massive damage. But when is the best time to get a termite inspection? Here’s what you should know about when the best time to schedule your termite inspection is.

When You’re Buying a New Home

In most cases, it can take several years for a colony of termites to cause detectable damage to your home. This is what makes early detection vital to the safety and integrity of your home and property, particularly when you’re buying a new home. Enlisting the services of a reputable professional to perform a termite inspection is the first step in protecting your home from the damage these invasive pests can cause.

Termites are an invasive species and continue to reproduce. Once an existing colony has grown crowded, these pests will continue to expand their colonies. Just because you have had a termite inspection in the past, this is not a guarantee that you won’t have future issues.

Spring Termite Inspections

With spring around the corner, the excitement for beloved warmer weather grows. Unfortunately, termites love the spring season just as much as we do. That’s what makes spring one of the best times to schedule your termite inspection.

Typically, termites are active year-round. But the warmer weather will drive termites to grow their colonies exponentially. Within each termite colony, male and female termites that are part of the reproductive caste are known as ‘swarmers’. These termites are the only ones within the colony that have wings.

When spring arrives, the swarmers leave the colony and begin searching for a mate. Once a mate has been found, the reproductive pair will shed their wings and begin searching for a nesting place. Unfortunately, your home is often seen as an ideal location for nesting.

Spring is also the time when gardens are bustling with activity. Many begin planting and mulching in preparation for summer blooms. Be wary of placing mulch too close to your home or applying it too thickly as termites can use this to enter your home.

That’s where we come in. The termite elimination specialists at Budget Brothers Termite and Pest Elimination can help you spot potential areas of concern around your home. We can offer valuable tips and practices that you can use to prevent termite infestation and damages.

Common Signs of Termite Infestation

There are a variety of signs that you can look for to help determine whether your home may be host to a termite colony. Common signs of termite activity can include:

• Flying termites – these are reproducing termites who are searching for a mate and the ideal place for a new colony.
• Evidence of discarded termite wings – this is evidence of mating termites who are in the reproductive stages.
• White ants – commonly mistaken for white ants, termites are very similar in size and shape to these harmless insects.
• Hard-to-open doors and windows – these are typically associated with damp or hot weather. However, these tell-tale signs can also signal the presence of termites.
• Hollow-sounding or papery wood – termites typically eat wood from the inside out, leaving the wood to sound hollow or papery when tapped.

If you think you may have termites or have spotted signs of termites, we can help! Contact the professionals at Budget Brothers Termite and Pest Elimination to schedule your termite inspection today.