The Unknown Threat of Termites
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Are you familiar with the saying “it’s better to know that trouble is ahead than to not know there’s trouble at all?” Well, it’s more applicable to the homebuying process than you may think.
There are two kinds of risks each homebuyer faces — the known and the unknown. For a veteran homebuyer, or one with a good real estate agent, known risks often include things like lead paint, radon-filled basements and asbestos in the ceilings. But what about the threats that aren’t as obvious? What about the six-legged threat that could be lurking in the walls, flooring or attic of your dream home?
That’s right: we’re talking about termites.
If you live in any state except Alaska, termite damage is a real and costly threat. The National Pest Management Association estimates termite damage costs U.S. homeowners $5 billion in property damage each year. The good news? There are proven and effective ways to protect your home from being invaded by termites.
3 Things Every Homebuyer Needs to Know About Termites
1. Termite damage isn’t covered by homeowners insurance.
Buckling wood, swollen floors and drooping ceilings — damage caused by termites can be expensive and time-consuming to repair. Because there’s no such thing as termite insurance, how does a savvy homebuyer best protect themselves from termite damage? As the No. 1 brand in termite protection, the Sentricon® system is the best protection against termite damage, offering something that other termite treatments do not: total colony elimination. This means that instead of simply repelling termites, the Sentricon system eliminates the entire colony, including the termite queen.
The Sentricon system also offers a ring of protection around the home, securing your entire property from both active termite infestations and any future potential termite threats. This comes on top of an annual inspection by a Certified Sentricon Specialist® (CSS) and — perhaps most importantly — peace of mind knowing your home is protected.
2. Sometimes termites leave signs.
While it’s best to have an inspection done by a CSS, termites sometimes leave clues. Familiarize yourself with the four main signs of termites — termite swarming, mud tubes, damaged wood and live insects. If you notice these signs in the home you’re about to buy, the Sentricon system can help act as a curative solution that will eliminate termites so that you can focus on what truly matters: buying the house of your dreams.
Of course, a home could have termite damage that isn’t visible to the untrained eye. That’s where a professional comes in handy.
3. DIY home pest control can cost more than a professional termite treatment.
At-home pest control solutions can work fine for pesky ants or fruit flies, but it won’t cut it for eliminating termites. Attempting to control a termite problem yourself is complicated, unsafe and best left to a professional. When comparing DIY to professional termite treatments, DIY projects can cost more, are more time consuming, can cause difficulties for termite professionals when installing a solution down the road, and ultimately are not as effective as a professional termite solution.
The purchase of a home will likely be one of the biggest decisions you make in your lifetime. Don’t let something as small as termites get in the way of something as large as your dreams. Protect your home from the threat of termites by contacting your local CSS for an inspection today.