Termites and Other
Pests (WDO)
Termites
and other wood
destroying
organisms
(WDO) such as carpenter ants and
wood boring beetles can do massive damage
to a home and greatly impact its value.
I have even
seen one case in Boise where termites had eaten away at the main beam
underneath the house to such an extent, that the entire house had
settled 2 inches. I noticed this problem while looking at the
roof as I was arriving for the inspection. The termites had
literally destroyed the structural integrity of that house.
In humid areas where termites are a constant
problem, it’s not unusual to find many homes that
have been virtually
hollowed out, their wood turning to dust at a touch.
How
does one prevent termite infestation?
There
are many steps you can take toward preventing infestation
(if you know what termites look for)
and take steps to make your home less attractive to them
Termites
are ground
insects that look for habitats that provide food, moisture and shelter
close to the
ground. Any place where wood meets soil qualifies, especially
if the soil in that area stays moist. Correcting this situation may
require re-grading to separate soil from any wood
around your home.
Since mulch and many other landscaping materials cause the soil to
remain moist, you should make sure to minimize mulching around your
foundation. Some experts recommend mulching no closer than a foot from
your home’s foundation. You should also stack your firewood
away
from your home, preferably by several feet. Stacked firewood provides a
natural and safe habitat for all kinds of bugs... not just wood boring
beetles, but spiders and many other insects as well. Firewood stacked
next to a house is merely an easy invitation for infestation. Also,
make sure that gutters and downspouts are in good condition and keep
moisture from accumulating, especially next to the foundation. You
should also make sure to eliminate any moisture problems in and around
your home, especially in basements and crawlspaces.
You can
also hire
professional
termite exterminators to apply chemical treatments that protect your
home. Be sure to find out how long the treatments last. The chemicals
on the market today generally protect your home for up to 5 years.
How do I
know if my home has termites?
It takes
an expert to
detect
hidden termite damage. General home inspections (my competitors) do not
typically include a termite inspection. If they do, it is for
additional fees. It is highly recommended that you get a
termite
inspection in addition to your general home inspection. I
have
been trained to identify this hidden termite damage, as well as
conditions that are conducive to termite infestation. Infrared
Thermography is an extremely expensive high tech tool that can often
find hidden termite damage behind walls, under floors, and in ceilings.
It can also find conditions that are conducive to WDO
infestation. I use one of the best thermography cameras on
the market
which
gives me unprecedented abilities to find hidden problems. My
thermography is discussed in greater details in the "mold"
section of
my web site.
I adhere
to the NACHI Standards of Practice
and the NACHI Code of Ethics.
NACHI Standards of Practice
NACHI
Code of Ethics
Proudly
Serving the Following Counties:
Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Gem, Payette,
Valley, Washington and Malheur
Oxbow Home Inspections • PO Box 2144 Eagle, ID 83616• 208.573.5300
Troy Farmer: Owner/Inspector • E-Mail: info@troyfarmer.com
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Inspections and Radon Testing, LLC |
