Posts in category: Wood Destroying Insects

Termites live in the ground, not in wood. Mature termite nests can contain 60,000 to 2,000,000 termites. They live in the ground because they don’t like light, and they don’t like dryness, so below ground is perfect. When they enter the structure looking for food, they make a “shelter tube” made of mud. They usually start eating the wood which is closest to the point of entry which is typically the sill plate (the first piece of wood above the concrete foundation). Then, they start spreading out.

Termites can do a lot of damage which can be expensive to repair. It’s best to get an annual termite inspection so you catch them before there’s too much damage. Fortunately, there are effective means of treatment. But, if you don’t have it inspected, you will not know termites are active in your house. Termites can be inside of a wall, and you would never know it. When there is substantial termite damage on a 2 x 4, for example, you can poke a screwdriver right through it with ease.

Again, for the reasons above, it’s best to get an annual termite inspection from a licensed exterminator. By the way, Safe Harbor Inspections is not an exterminator. However, we do termite inspections as part of a home inspection.

If you are interested, all our previous newsletters are available on our website blog. Click on the following link and it will take you right to it.

https://safeharborinspections.com/blog/

Carpenter bees are large black insects that look like a bumblebee only they are larger.  They can sting if provoked.  As you probably know, Carpenter bees can do some serious damage over time.  Especially with the help of woodpeckers.  Carpenter bees drill holes that look like an actual power tool did it because it’s perfectly round.  About 3/8 of an inch in diameter.  They continue drilling and then make a 90° turn and a tunnel about 4 to 8 inches long.  Then they lay their eggs.

Of course, woodpeckers are smart, and they know there is a nice meal waiting for them in the wood.  So, they peck away and open up the tunnel to access the eggs.  Over a few years, the damage can get quite excessive, and the wood can get to the point where it needs replacement/repairs.

If there is exposed wood anywhere on the exterior of the structure, the chances are rather good that there is some Carpenter bee damage. Fortunately, exterminators can control infestations using various methods.  If you hire an exterminator, make sure you are getting a knowledgeable technician that knows how to deal with them properly.

If you are interested, all our previous newsletters are available on our website blog. Click on the following link and it will take you right to it.

https://safeharborinspections.com/blog/“

Webster’s dictionary defines insidious as “ having a gradual and cumulative effect: subtle, developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent.”

Often, termites are present but not apparent.  As examples, in a slab construction house, all the wood framing is usually covered with sheet rock.  In a colonial with a finished basement, only a little wood is exposed.  So, we may see no signs of termites but it’s very possible that termites are present and active but not visible.

In many cases, we see termite “mud tunnels” or other signs of termites without seeing any live termites.  In fact we very rarely see live termites, because they are insidious.  A wall can look completely normal and yet when the sheet rock is removed, massive termite damage can become apparent.

Sometimes termite damage is minor and simple to repair.  But sometimes termite damage is very extensive and expensive to repair.

There are too many possibilities to discuss them all in this email, but, our strong recommendation is, every wood structure should be protected with an annual termite inspection.  Even if somebody says “we never had a problem” they should still have an annual termite inspection. The inspection cost is minimal compared to potential repair costs.

I recently called some extermination companies for pricing information.  Annual termite inspections cost range from $100-$135 per year.  Termite treatment ranges from approximately $600-$1,200 depending on the size of the house.  Feel free to reply to this email if you would like an extermination company recommendation.

For more related information click on this link: https://safeharborinspections.com/

Webster’s dictionary defines insidious as “having a gradual and cumulative effect: subtle, developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent.”

Often, termites are present but not apparent.  As examples, in a slab construction house, all the wood framing is usually covered with sheet rock.  In a colonial with a finished basement, only a little wood is exposed.  So, we may see no signs of termites but it’s very possible that termites are present and active but not visible.

In many cases, we see termite “mud tunnels” or other signs of termites without seeing any live termites.  In fact we very rarely see live termites, because they are insidious.  A wall can look completely normal and yet when the sheet rock is removed, massive termite damage can become apparent.

Sometimes termite damage is minor and simple to repair.  But sometimes termite damage is very extensive and expensive to repair.

There are too many possibilities to discuss them all in this email, but, our strong recommendation is, every wood structure should be protected with an annual termite inspection.  Even if somebody says “we never had a problem” they should still have an annual termite inspection. The inspection cost is minimal compared to potential repair costs.

I recently called some extermination companies for pricing information.  Annual termite inspections cost range from $100-$135 per year.  Termite treatment ranges from approximately $600-$1,200 depending on the size of the house.  Feel free to reply to this email if you would like an extermination company recommendation.

For more related information click on this link: https://safeharborinspections.com/

A suggestion for all of our great listing agent friends. Get a termite inspection and guarantee before the house is put on the market. That way the issue is dealt with before it becomes an issue! Buyers hate surprises and termites can turn people off. But if its been dealt with ahead of time you can just have the treatment documentation available at the time of the home inspection. Plus it will be guaranteed for the new buyer. It peace- of-mind. It’s a win, win!

If no termites are discovered during the termite inspection great, just show the exterminator’s paperwork to the buyer for peace-of-mind.

For more related information click on this link: https://safeharborinspections.com/