If you think you've seen signs of termites, but you're not sure, have a termite inspection done. Even if you don't have reason to think you have an active infestation, it could be a good idea to have an inspection if it's been years since your house was last inspected. Here's how a termite inspection works.

You Prepare Your Home Ahead Of Time

The pest control company may provide you with instructions on how to prepare for a termite inspection. This usually involves clearing space so the inspector can access all the areas they need to check. They usually check the outside and inside of your home. They may look at every room.

They'll also look inside cabinets, especially in wet rooms since termites often have easy access to your home along plumbing pipes. You may need to clean out cabinets under sinks and pull furniture and belongings away from the wall. 

The Inspector May Use Detecting Tools

A flashlight and probe are the basic tools needed for a termite inspection, but the pest control company may have advanced tools that detect moisture and the presence of termites behind walls. Either way, the inspector looks for termites, their droppings, fallen wings, damaged wood, hollow wood, and mud tunnels. They'll check the wood in every room of your home.

They'll also look around window sills for wings and bodies since termites may try to get out of windows if they swarm. The inspector looks for the same signs outside since subterranean insects live outside and enter your home through mud tunnels. Drywood termites live inside houses, so that's why it's important to check every room of your house.

The Inspection Can Be Done Any Time

Termites swarm in the spring, but they're active all year long. You can have a termite inspection done any time of the year. It's better to have an inspection done promptly if you think you have termites rather than wait for months and allow the termites to damage your home. An inspection might take an hour or two, but that depends on the size of your house and what's all on your property that needs to be inspected.

The inspector may collect evidence of termites in a container so you can see the bodies, droppings, and wings for yourself. The inspector may also let you hear hollow sounds on termite-damaged walls so you know for sure if you have a termite infestation so you can start treatment promptly to save your home.

Contact a professional to learn more about termite inspections.