What Happens During A Pest Inspection?

Dealing with pests can be stressful and even embarrassing, though there’s no reason for embarrassment. You might hope pests will go away on their own. The truth is they won’t — not on their own, anyway. If you’re kind enough to provide termites with a warm place to stay and all the wood they can eat, why would they ever leave?

What to expect during a pest inspection

When you set an appointment with a reputable pest control company, a licensed inspector visits your home and performs a complete check of your property to locate any infestations. That inspector should also check your attic and subterranean areas, looking for insulation leaks and moisture. If evidence of termite infestation is found, the inspector will then present treatment options, warranties and prices.

How long will this take?

The duration of inspections depends on the size of your property and even the number of infestations, which might require different attack plans. Roughly, you can expect two hours for a full inspection and consultation.

Preparing your home for inspection

You can help accelerate this process by clearing clutter and access to your attic and sub areas so the inspector can get a clear view of all places where termites could be hiding. If your attic access is in a closet, it’s smart to cover your clothes so insulation, debris or rodent droppings don’t fall on your clothes.

In all, giving your inspector a clean workspace and easy access will make your inspection go quicker, and it could help them to detect issues and care for your property better.

What else you should know

A competent inspector shouldn’t be trying to light up spaces with a smartphone light. Instead, they should be equipped with a flashlight and going into all areas, including attic and sub area, and any nooks and crannies where someone can fit.

When the inspection is complete, your inspector should present you with an inspection report. If you get multiple inspections, compare them. You’ll want your chosen service provider to be accurate and thorough in their findings.

What if an infestation is found?

If and when an infestation is found, there are some questions you should ask your inspector:
1. Find out if you’re dealing with drywood or subterranean termites. If you have subterranean termites, ensure the inspector isn’t proposing a fumigation, as it will not take care of the problem.
2. Having identified the kind of termite, ask how many infestations you have. If termites were detected in multiple locations in your home, it might be more cost efficient to do a full-structure treatment. By contrast, if infestation is minimal (one or two places), localized treatments might be more affordable.
3. Ask about alternative or eco-friendly treatments that would be a sound option to use around pets, children, and the environment.

Can we do virtual inspections?

In a pinch, you can send your inspector a photo or video briefly describing what you’re seeing, and your inspector can tell you whether they can identify the insect or issue they’re seeing, and help you decide next steps.

If no infestations are found in your home, it’s still smart to use preventive measures. Consider scheduling regular inspections to stay ahead of problems and catch them early to save on costs.

If you’re in the Southern California area, we’d love to help you. If you learned something new, be sure to like, share, and subscribe!
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