What does a termite inspector look for?
An inspector looks for live termites, mud tubes, swarmer wings, damaged or hollow wood and shed wings, along with conditions that attract termites: wood touching soil, moisture, leaks and debris. The goal is to find evidence of activity, old or new, in the parts of the house that can be reached.
- Mud tubes on piers, walls, joists or slab edges
- Damaged or hollow wood in sills, joists, door frames and porch posts
- Shed wings or swarmers at windows and lights
- Water sources such as leaking pipes, downspouts and damp soil
- Soil, mulch or stored items against siding or foundation
- Wood debris, forms or stumps left in or near the crawl space
Why does the inspector need to go into the crawl space?
Because the wood that termites reach first, the sills, floor joists and the tops of piers, is in the crawl space. Looking from outside or from inside the living space shows only the finished surfaces. Without entry the inspection would miss the most common place termites hide on a pier house.
Crawl spaces in older houses can be tight, low and damp, and some have been closed off by additions or storage. If your access panel is blocked, clear it before the visit. If the space cannot be entered safely, the technician will say what could not be seen, and that limit should be written into any report.
Your crawl space pest and moisture work page covers what else a technician may find there, including rodents and American cockroaches.
What happens if the inspection finds termites?
The technician shows you the evidence, identifies the likely species, and explains the treatment options and the price before anything is applied. Finding termites does not mean starting treatment on the spot. You can think it over, though acting sooner usually limits how much wood is affected.
Treatment may involve a soil treatment, bait stations or both. Read more on termite control. Damaged wood is not repaired by treatment, so a contractor may need to look at the affected areas.
How often should an Atlanta house be inspected for termites?
There is no single schedule that fits every house, but an inspection every year or two is a reasonable habit for older houses on crawl spaces, wooded lots and homes with a history of termites. A house under a termite treatment or bait plan is usually rechecked on the schedule that plan sets.
Timing around spring swarm season can make sense, since swarmers are the most visible sign. The deeper, quieter check under the house is useful at any time of year.
What should I do to prepare an older house for a termite inspection?
Clear the crawl-space access panel, move stored items away from interior walls in garages and utility rooms, and gather any past termite paperwork. If you have noticed swarmers, soft wood or damp spots, write down where. The goal is to let the inspector reach the framing without moving your belongings.
Unlock side gates, secure dogs and make sure someone can answer questions about repairs, leaks, additions and earlier treatment. Houses that have been remodeled several times often have sections of foundation the owner has never seen, and the inspector will want to know about them.
If the crawl-space door is painted shut, screwed down or buried under shrubs, tell the call line ahead of time. A technician cannot report on what they cannot reach, and a second visit is easier to avoid than to arrange.
What are the limits of a visual termite inspection?
A visual inspection can only report what a technician can see and reach. Wall cavities, areas under insulation, finished basements and enclosed porches may hide activity, and termites that are not feeding near the surface may leave little visible. A good inspector tells you what could not be reached.
That is why findings are written as evidence seen or not seen, not as a promise that a house is free of termites. If something looks suspicious but cannot be confirmed, the technician may suggest monitoring, a recheck after the next swarm season or opening a small area to look.
