Getting a termite survey for your home

Termites are difficult to spot and can damage your home over a long period of time - a termite survey will help you control or prevent such a harmful infestation.

A termite survey is the first step
to dealing with an infestation

It’s troubling to think that your home might be overrun with termites while you continue with day-to-day activities and unwittingly ignore a problem that can only escalate. Termites don’t only feed on wooden fittings and furniture but destroy paper, cloth and other fabric items with ease and can even manage to bite their way through metal pipe work! Yet somehow these tiny creatures are experts at concealing themselves and avoiding detection; and although having them removed may not be a household emergency, leaving them to scurry around carefree for months on end will be at an ultimate cost to you.

Fortunately, getting a termite survey completed will provide you with the advice you need to clear out those unwanted guests and start any damage control procedures necessary. Hiring an efficient pest control professional to do the job for you will save time and money, just be sure to act before it’s too late.

Termites thrive in warm, damp conditions; in areas of shade, poor drainage, condensation or excessive moisture – and your home caters for such a habitat in a number of obscure ways. If you still need a little persuading, it’s good to know that the advantages of hiring a professional are numerous, as a home surveyor specialising in termite infestation will:

• Carefully check the perimeter of each room on the ground floor and other corners or hard-to-reach spots in the home with expert equipment, identifying areas that signal signs of termite life.
• Be fully trained to identify such signs, from minute cracks or tunnels in concrete or hollow tile walls, or small mud tunnels in walls, stone steps, patios and even stronger furniture.
• Mark and corner off damaged furniture or infested structures without causing any further harm to the floorboards, wall linings or foundations of your home.
• Be able to tell the difference between an infestation of termites compared to ants and other small, similar insects and recommend the appropriate treatment or removal plans.
• Look for further damage or termite presence in sheds, garages, gardens and any other private land that surrounds your home, from old tree stumps to fencing and flowerbeds.
• Advise you on the most suitable course of action before removal in respect to your specific type of infestation. They may recommend installing purpose built bait stations that divert the termites’ usual route to your home and prevent further damage or simply professionally seal the cracks between doors, walls and windows through which they are entering.
• Offer to get you in touch with expert contractors who are able to carry out quick and easy removal of your termite infestation through a variety of methods, from termite barriers or timber treatment to chemical extermination and insecticides.

Hiring a professional for a termite survey

It is important to remember that the company you hire your termite surveyor from are responsible for ensuring the infestation is dealt with safely and securely. Make sure they offer a guarantee and carefully read over and scrutinise any terms and conditions before signing a contract. Before you jump right in you should also compare quotes and find a service with a good reputation that offers help and advice in a manner suited to your work schedule and home life. Most companies should also be willing to offer a follow up inspection to make certain all removal work was carried out to the most professional and effective standard. Don’t just accept the first removal method that you’re offered too; sometimes the cons (frequently monitoring bait-stations, clearing clutter or foliage you might miss) outweigh the pros.

Cost of a termite survey

A typical termite survey will cost you anywhere from £50 to £200, depending on how thorough an inspection you desire. Checking valuable furniture piece-by-piece could cost a lot more, while setting up the termite survey as part of a home inspection package deal might end up saving you money. Whatever you choose, a professional surveyor will make sure the problem is dealt with quickly and with minimal fuss to your daily routine.