Termite Inspection

Soil Barrier treatment is the only method for rapid elimination of a subterranean termite colony.  Olympian is rated #1 for termite inspection.  Our success is a direct reflection of the thoroughness of our inspections.  It should be noted that while we continue to remain a full service inspection company, we have discontinued treatment services but would still be happy to offer you a recommendation if needed.

Termite inspections are basically visual in nature, and are the most problematic of all inspections performed in a home sale transaction. Termite inspections are sometimes required as a condition for obtaining a home loan, are also often required for real estate closings, and are sometimes required when homeowners are refinancing their mortgage. Termite inspections are often done separately from the general home inspection and include an examination of the interior and exterior of the property, any out buildings and fences. Also, termite inspections are generally carried out on an annual basis, but more frequent inspections can be recommended where conducive conditions are found or if an infestation exists.  Termites can do massive damage in a short period of time, and have bee known to be capable of destroying homes within three months time.

Currently termite inspections are performed by a licensed inspector in the crawlspace or basement with a flashlight and a screwdriver, poking on beams and floor joists where possible, looking for damage caused by termites.  Termite colonies work around the clock, and often without any signs that are visible to the naked eye until it’s too late.  Termites can enter your home through tiny cracks in the foundation or slab, through utility entry points, or anywhere that soil contacts wood.  Termite activity is indicated by the presence of termites in the wood, signs that they have been feeding at a particular source, or can be detected by the presence of mud tunnels.  Termites damage wood beams, joists, and wood support columns in basements, garages and other common areas of a home or building. Termite shelter tubes are hollow soil tunnels extending from the soil beneath a structure to the interior of a structure, providing runways for termites to travel between their underground nest and their food supply. They only require 1/64″ wide opening in concrete, wood, brick or other building material, gaining access from beside, beneath or above a dwelling.  Termites travel between the wood found in dwellings and their colony daily.

Two types of termites are subterranean and damp-wood termites

Queens, known as adult reproductive termites, commonly referred to as swarmers, which are dark-brown to blackish insects, about 3/8 inch-long. The job of reproductive termite is to mate and start new colonies.  Shortly after emerging from their underground tunnels, swarmer termites shed their wings.  Swarming termites are often confused with ants but can be distinguished by the lack of the “pinched” waist found on ants.  There wings are all equal in length and are almost twice as long as the body, compared to ants that have distinctly longer front wings.  Swarms can occur throughout the year, but are most commonly seen between the months of February and May, and favor climates with average temperatures of 60 degrees and having high humidity. Causing more damage each year than storms and fires, termites are the largest group of wood-destroying pests in the country. Subterranean termites cause the most damage.

The termite inspection report, documents visible evidence of wood destroying insects or damage, on the date of the inspection.  When a home is occupied, inspectors may miss signs of termites because furnishings conceal locations where termite evidence may be found, for example, if sheets of plywood are propped against an exterior wall in the garage, this can conceal termite mud tubes. 80 percent of the wood in any structure is not visible and termites like to stay hidden.  Most termite infestations are inside wall voids and are difficult to detect.  Even the best termite inspector does not have x-ray vision and cannot see into the walls. Finding termites in a fence or woodpile, or in landscape timbers, does not necessarily mean that your home needs to be treated, but it should alert you to the presence of termites around your home.  Should you find termites in your yard; a few simple steps can help reduce your risk of becoming infested.  If termite damage is localized, it may be controlled by removing and replacing the damaged wood or by the application of an insecticide. Unlike conventional treatments which provide a chemical barrier to termites, baits in conjunction with liquid termiticide are designed to suppress or eliminate entire termite colonies.  The poison is delivered to a colony by the foraging worker termites, who then share their food with other colony members.

Compared to the damage resulting from a termite infestation, the cost of prevention is a recommended and a necessary step to protect your home or building from an infestation. This year alone, termites will cause an estimated $1 billion of property damage; more than all the tornadoes, floods, fires, earthquakes and hurricanes combined.

If you are considering other inspection services or would like to take a look at our credentials please click here: Local NYC Home Inspections to get to that area of our inspection website.

Brooklyn: 665 88th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11228
Manhattan, NY: 459 Columbus Avenue New York, NY 10024
Queens: 47-01 Greenpoint Avenue Sunnyside, NY 11104‎
Staten Island: 1365 North Railroad Avenue Staten Island, NY 10306