Four Reasons Why You Need a Pro Termite Inspector

For their size, termites have an incredible ability to wreak havoc on a home. And even as a colony of thousands, termites can live unnoticed in a home for years. That’s why it’s so crucial for homeowners to schedule inspections regularly, especially here in Arizona where drywood and subterranean termites pose a threat.

Now, you may be asking yourself: Why can’t I just inspect my own home? While homeowners may inspect the wood structure of their homes on their own, we advise folks to hire a professional. Often, homeowners do not thoroughly inspect their homes for termites, and unfortunately, termites often colonize in hard-to-reach places (like the attic, or a crawl space). Plus, termites can prove particularly difficult to spot without the proper tools, training, and techniques. Here are a few reasons why you ought to have your home professionally inspected for termites, at least every year or two.

Termites Are Silent

While you may not think that thousands of termites could be moving through the wood structure of your home without making a peep, you’d be surprised. Termites are virtually silent, and even thousands of termites won’t make a noise as they move throughout the colony and slowly eat away at the wood structure of your home. The only time you may hear termites is when a colony splits and a group of termites flies to a new location. However, seeing this phenomenon is rare, and it’s far more likely that these sly pests will find their way into your home without catching the attention of your eyes (or ears!).

Termite Colonies May Be Invisible to the Naked Eye

Once termites have made their way into the wood structure of your home, they may not be visible at all. Some termite species can live entirely within a wood structure, without any need to leave the tunnels they bore in the wood. Drywood termites, which are prevalent in Arizona, can live solely off of wood, and their colony can be nearly completely enclosed by the wood in which they choose to live (these termites only need a small pin-sized hole in the structure, which they use to push out their droppings). So, even though you can’t see a colony or hear a colony, it may be just inches away.

Drywood Termites Can Colonize Virtually Anywhere

Speaking of drywood termites, homeowners should be wary that this termite species can colonize virtually anywhere. Often, drywood termites colonize in attic spaces, in walls behind drywall, and in floor joists. And, as we mentioned, termite colonizers can fly to their new habitat, which means that even the highest point of your home isn’t safe from an infestation. It can prove difficult to adequately inspect all of the spaces around a home, without the proper tools. 

Subterranean Termites Colonize in Often Overlooked Places

Subterranean termites (also common in Arizona) do rely on the soil to build their colonies. However, that means that these pests will often make their colonies in crawl spaces, basements, utility rooms, and storage rooms (or any space with access to the ground below). Be mindful that a small foundation crack can provide the perfect access point for subterranean termites, and the aforementioned spaces can often go overlooked when homeowners inspect their own homes. Keep an eye out for the telltale sign of a subterranean termite infestation: their mud tunnels. This termite species creates mud tunnels that are about a pencil width in diameter, in order to connect their colony from the earth to sources of food (i.e. the wood structure in your home). If you do notice mud tunnels, act right away to exterminate these termites before they cause any more damage. And consider requesting an inspection from a professional exterminator to keep subterranean termites out of the overlooked spaces of your abode.

Get a Free Inspection

Here at Arizona Termite Specialist, we’re proud to offer free termite inspections for homeowners throughout the Phoenix area, providing them with peace of mind. If you haven’t had your home inspected in a year or two (or ever!), please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We provide termite control services throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Gilbert, Mesa, and Peoria.

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