Termites are some of the most dangerous pests that could infest your home, and unfortunately, they can be found all over the world. Even though there are some things that you can do to prevent them, there is no guarantee that the home you want to purchase is not infested. If you have noticed any signs that your home might be infested, you’ve probably considered getting the place inspected. You can use this ultimate guide to find out how to prepare for a termite inspection and how to make sure every part of your home is checked without forgetting even the smallest area.
Make the attic and crawl space accessible
The attic and the crawlspace are the first two places that the professionals will want to check. Keep in mind that these are also the areas where termites protection is implemented, so if you are not sure if you have pests in your home or not, you would need to start with these. To make it accessible for the crew, it is best if you could make the openings accessible and you could remove any clutter that you may have there. Even though the experts can work around anything, it is better if you could give them the needed room to do the inspection without obstacles.
Clean around wooden areas
As you probably know, the biggest infestations happen in wooden areas, and these pests will eat through anything that’s made of wood. This includes the floors, doors, windows, and any wooden hinges that are in your foundation. The professionals will start by inspecting the objects that are easier to get to, so they can access them and see if there is any damage. You should try to remove any clutter that could prevent the crew from getting to all the wooden parts of your home, you should remove any large obstacles. Once again, they could work around it, and if there are any items that you cannot remove, the right crew will accommodate you, however, you should make the job as easy for them as possible.
Clear plants that cover the foundation
During the preparation for the termites Australia inspection, you should go outside of your house and see if there are any large plant growths that could conceal the foundation. When we landscape our yard, we always leave room between the plants and grass and the house. Nevertheless, we know that plants can be stubborn and they can start growing into places that we didn’t plan on seeding. Before the crew arrives, inspect your home, and if there is any large vegetation that could conceal most of the foundations, it is recommended to remove it.
Talk to the experts
The best thing you can do is talk to the experts before they come to inspect your home and ask them what you need to do to make sure they can access all the areas. Note that depending on the size of your home, problems that you may have, or signs that you have noticed, the professionals will tell you what to do and how to do it. They will help you learn what are the things that you should not do before the crew arrives and what are the things that will be welcomed.
When termite inspection is done, you can learn how the traps are set, and what are the products that can help you get rid of the pests on websites such as envirobug.com.au/collections/termite-traps.
Remove items that could block access to water sources
When we think about these pests, we know that they tend to do damage to the wooden surfaces in our homes. Even though this is true, you should know that they sometimes nest near water, and you need to let the experts check for termites near the water sources. This means that you should prepare your kitchen and your bathroom for inspection, and you should clean places that lead to water sources and pipes.
Clear the storage areas
For the termite control to be able to do their job, you need to clear any storage areas. This means that you should try to remove clutter from under the sink, in your bathroom, and even attic and basement. If you have a lot of things in the garage, then try to either remove them or move them to the center of the room. Let the professionals be able to do a proper inspection and even put termite bait stations on any place of your home they think is needed.
Don’t conceal cracks
During the termite inspection, the expert will want to check the cracks that are on your walls, floors, doors, and windows. As humans, we don’t want to show that we’ve let our home have cracks, and our urge is to try and conceal them before a stranger inspects our home. This is a huge no-no, and if you choose to do this you may hide a huge problem that is going to cost you money and possibly even your health in the long run.
Try to move your furniture to the center of the room
Finally, you need to try and move the furniture to the center of the room so that the specialist can come closer to the walls and the sides of the floor. Sometimes, there can be a beginning of an infestation that is concealed in the corner of your wooden floor, and if your furniture is not removed, the expert may miss it. Try to wipe the floors clean, but don’t use any chemicals that could ultimately conceal the traces of termites.
It is best to talk to the service of your choosing about what you should do and how you can help them do the inspection faster and better. Be honest and try not to overthink the state of your home. The professionals are not there to judge you, and they are there to just help you out. By painting or changing doors just to make the place look better, you are going to hide the potential pest problems that you have. Be honest, open, and know that it is better to find a problem and remove it than to delay the issues for months and even years until your whole house is put at risk.