Everything You Need to Know About a Termite Inspection in Miami
When buying a home, it's critical to consider the possibility the home has termite damage or active termites present, and that you will need termite control in Miami.
Unfortunately, we have performed inspections after a home is purchased and the new owner of the home is very surprised to find the presence of major termite damage.
As the climate continues to warm, these insects are set to become an even worse problem.
Even if no termite activity is identified, we strongly recommend preventative termite control to ensure your most valuable asset is protected.
It’s imperative that homeowners in the South Florida area familiarize themselves with termites and how to prevent them.
In the last decade, Formosan termites, the invasive "super termites," have spread in the area. At this point, we are seeing homes with active Formosan termite colonies regularly.
These termites have colonies that can rapidly cause massive structural damage. It has been said that in a standard size home, a mature Formosan termite colony can consume between three to four pounds of wood every day!
Whether there are active termites in your home or you simply want to prevent them, it's important to set up annual termite inspections.
In this article, we’ll discuss the problem that termites pose, how to prevent them, and what to expect out of an inspection.
What is the Risk of Termites in Miami, FL?
As wood-destroying insects, a termite problem could cause several issues for homeowners. The first of these is the possibility of structural damage that destroys the real estate value of your home.
Think about it, when you go to buy a house you do not want one that has subterranean termite damage!
Beyond this, untreated termite damage can lead to dangerous living conditions. Left long enough, termites damaging the structural integrity of your home is not outside the realm of possibility.
Termite activity must be swiftly detected and dealt with.
Signs of Termites in Miami, FL
Drywood termites are the most common type to affect homes. The easiest way of noticing these are through damaged wood or the holes they bore into them.
Additionally, termites leave behind fecal pellets of various colors called frass. These termite droppings can often be found in the attic, on windowsills, on furniture or floors, and in kitchen cabinets.
In extreme cases of infestation, a fully mature colony will produce reproductive termites with wings and swarm within your house.
These termite swarms are most common in April through July and after heavy rain has fallen. Since it is so warm in Miami, we have seen termites swarm throughout the year depending on weather conditions.
Termite Control in Miami
How can you protect your home from termites? Termite prevention is always far preferred to the treating of them. Below are some best practices for preventing termites:
- Inspect – Homeowners should schedule regular termite inspections of their homes. While there are many termites treatments, the key to them is early detection of termite activity. These annual inspections should include your a full inspection of your attic and any conducive conditions outside.
- Limit access to food sources – Clean up dead plants and excessive foliage around your home. This limits the potential food for termites and helps make any termite activity more visible.
- Seal off entry points – Use caulk to seal any cracks and holes on the exterior of your home and around gas and water lines. You should also repair any open or damaged soffit vents and clear off any areas where wood meets soil in your home.
- Limit shrubbery – Specifically, around your home. The rule of thumb is to make sure that the sun hits the soil by the home. Subterranean termites like moist, wet soil, so the key is allowing the sun to dry it out and make it less attractive to termites.
- Reduce exterior lighting – Swarming termites are attracted to light. We recommend turning off or reducing exterior lighting to make your home less attractive to these flying termites that are looking for new homes to colonize.
Through these measures, homeowners can limit their risk of termites but they still may come.
Especially when dealing with termites in Miami, FL where our tropical environment creates the perfect conditions for termites to quickly multiply.
The University of Florida recently predicted that termites would affect half of all structures in South Florida by 2040.
Due to the extensive damage caused by termites, we recommend putting preventative termite control into place as soon as possible.
When to get a Termite Inspection in Miami, FL
At the first sign of termite activity, homeowners should call termite inspectors.
Waiting will only allow the problem to worsen. Acting quickly is the only way to prevent the need for costly treatments and wood repairs.
A termite inspector will visit your home, conduct a visual inspection of the interior, the attic and the exterior, and will determine the best course of action.
There are many forms of termite control ranging from termite bait stations to termite trenching to "no tent" termite control and tent fumigation. Never wait to call a pest control company after spotting termites.
What is the Cost of a Termite Inspection in Miami
Now that you are planning to schedule a termite inspection in Miami, I'm sure you wondering how much this costs.
Fortunately, termite inspections are free! By calling us today, you will have the peace of mind in knowing that you can have a thorough termite inspection in Miami that will include the inspector checking your attic.
As winners of the 2021 Better Business Bureau's Torch Award for Ethics, it is important to us that our termite inspectors are trained to properly identify the difference between ants and termites and that if you do indeed have termites, that we accurately identify the species present.
If you are in need of an official state of Florida Wood Destroying Organism report for a real estate transaction or mortgage refinance, you can expect the cost to be between $225-375 in the Miami, FL area depending on the size of your home.
Termite Control Near Me in Miami
Regardless of the size of the termite infestation you are facing, the first step is finding the right company to deal with it. That’s where the team at Native Pest Management comes in.
Proudly serving Miami, FL, and South Florida with over 200 years of combined experience, we’re here to help you!
We’re proud to say that we have over 3,000 five-star reviews across platforms of satisfied customers in the South Florida area.
Our dedicated team of pest control specialists can handle any termite problem you may be facing.
When you call us, we will come out to your home and tackle your termite problem through:
- Free Termite Inspections – A trained and licensed termite inspector will check your home inside and out. We focus our inspections on your attic, the area of your home with the most wood where termites could easily be hiding.
- Termite Control – We will use one of our proven termite control methods once we identify the species of termite that may be present in your home. Once the termites are eliminated, our treatment will help prevent termites from returning.
- Termite Warranty – We include a one-year warranty for free service if termites should re-enter your home following one of our termite treatments. We also offer the option to renew this termite warranty for additional years.
Contact us online or call us at (888) 903-2304 to speak with one of our experts today and request your free termite inspection below.