Real Estate Termite Inspection Maine
Purchasing real estate can be nerve racking and extremely stressful. There’s a lot that goes into the decision process when buying a home, such as size, location, age of the property and any necessary renovations or repairs. But no matter what state the property is in, even a new build, you should always have a real estate termite inspection done.
Just like a traditional home inspection, your contract on the property can be contingent on the results of a real estate termite inspection. In fact, wood-burrowing insects can compromise the structure of the property and lead to hefty pest control costs, along with possibly adding time to the close of escrow. Having a Maine real estate termite inspection conducted can save you the time, energy, money and overall hassle that comes with an unfortunate termite infestation. The last thing you need when buying a house is to move in, only to find out that there is a major termite problem!
Termite Activity in Maine
As a new homeowner in Maine, you have a lot on your plate. Between packing, coordinating a move and setting up all your new utilities, termites are likely the last thing you are thinking about. But a termite infestation can be detrimental to a home’s structure and safety, and it can severely threaten your move-in plans.
To determine the potential for termite infestation and subsequent damage to buildings, areas of the country are divided into Termite Infestation Probability Zones (also known as TIP zones). Southern Maine is in TIP Zone #3; a slight to moderate probability of termite activity. Although termites are most common in the more southern part of Maine, in cities like Portland, northern Maine cities like Augusta are not resistant to harboring the pests. Termites can actually be found across the entire state of Maine.
Subterranean termites – termites that require contact with soil – are the most common in Maine. They typically swarm on a hot day after a rainfall, usually from March to May. However, because they prefer heat, these termites can also swarm in warm buildings during the winter months. So termites can really move into your new home just about any time of the year.
Drywood termites are not native to the area, but they can hitch a ride in wooden furniture or crates. While they do not pose as great of a risk as subterranean termites, they can still burrow and colonize outside of their native habitats. Formosan termites are usually only found in warm, southern U.S. areas and have not yet been found in Maine.
The Process of a Real Estate Termite Inspection Maine
When you are buying a home, it is highly recommended that you request a Maine real estate termite inspection, and Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control are the experts to call.
Our exterminators are highly trained in spotting the signs of a termite infestation, so the process is an easy way get peace of mind that you will be the only ones setting up shop in the home. Or if termites are discovered, the inspection will arm you with the information and options needed to make a decision on your real estate purchase and plan for effective termite control.
Real estate termite inspections take about one to one and half hours, depending on the size, layout and age of the property. We go to the house you are intending to purchase, and we do a thorough examination for evidence of termites. We inspect inside and out, particularly easily accessible areas where the termites can gain access to your home. This includes garages, attics, patios, porches and basements – all popular places for termites to reside. The inspector not only looks for signs of current infestation, such as termite pellets, wings and tubes, but also areas that are attractive to termites, like dry rot and fungus.
We also investigate to see if the house has been previously treated for termites. While this can seem alarming, previous infestation and treatment is not necessarily a red flag. Effective treatments can control and prevent future termite infestations.
If there is an active infestation, we document the areas where the infestation was found and provide a full report. We also recommend a treatment plan that is customized to your geographic area, the types of termites found and the location of infestation. If you’d like to move forward with the termite treatment plan, we would be happy to carry it out at an affordable cost.
Don’t add pressure and more unknowns to buying a home. Call Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control at (207) 650-8654 to schedule your real estate termite inspection. Let us exterminate some of your anxieties!
