Homebuyers: What if a house
has termites

There’s a lot to get excited about when buying a new home. But problems can start if you don’t tackle one of the biggest issues first: protecting your house from termites. Termites are in every state except Alaska, and they cause more than $5 billion in property damage annually.

Before you buy, you want to be sure your dream home is termite-free. So how do professionals check your house for termites? Should you buy a house that has signs of termites? And does a home inspection check for termites — or do you need a specialist?

Here’s what you need to know.

How to tell if a house has termites

Termites leave telltale signs, including:

• Crumbling or warping drywall. This may not always be a sign of termites, but it can signal conditions that termites love — moisture within the walls. Termites need damp conditions to thrive, and they’ll move into any area with excess moisture.
• Rotting or hollow doors and window frames. Do door or window frames sound hollow when you tap them? Do they crumble? If so, you may have termites.
• Bubbling or peeling paint. Odd stains, bubbling paint or peeling in strange places can indicate a termite infestation.
• Mud tubes. These are how termites get around: pencil-width dirt tunnels that travel up from the ground. They protect the invaders from sunlight and dry conditions — and if you spot them, you definitely have termites.
• Cracks in the foundation. Did you know termites can enter your home in foundation cracks the width of a credit card? The more cracks, the more opportunities termites have to enter your home.

How professionals check your house for termites

Standard home inspections are typically not conducted by termite professionals. Home inspectors can miss what termite pros spot — which is why you should always work with a pest management professional with proven experience in termite treatment, like a Certified Sentricon Specialist^® (CSS).

A CSS will:

• Schedule a termite home inspection before closing.
• Recommend a termite treatment plan based on their inspection.
• Continue to work with you throughout your home ownership to prevent future infestations.

Buying a house that has signs of termites

A house with termites can still be worth buying. As long as you have a plan in place, you can tackle the termite threat and enjoy the excitement of moving into a new home.

Here’s a quick termite checklist for new homebuyers:

• Start by doing a sweep for the first signs of termites.
• Ask your real estate agent for any relevant disclosures and check for past infestations or damage.
• Check and see whether the previous owner had termite protection — you might inherit a termite warranty.
• Contact a termite pro and have them do a full inspection.
• If you find signs of termites, don’t trust a DIY treatment. Contact your termite pro.
• Put a preventive plan in place to safeguard against any future infestations.

Buying a new home is stressful enough without the fear of overlooking termite infestations or damage. Be diligent, trust the professionals and rest easy knowing your home is protected.

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