|
Termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles and carpenter bees are
wood destroying insects that can do massive damage to a home and
greatly impact its value.
 One of the
most invasive of these
insects is the subterranean termite
which can be found every where in New
Jersey.
In humid areas where
termites are more of a problem,
it’s not unusual to find a home that
has been virtually hollowed out, their
wood siding turning to dust at a
touch.
There are many steps you can take towards preventing infestation if
you know what termites are looking for. Termites are ground insects that
look for
habitats that provide food, moisture and shelter close to
the ground. Any moist place where wood meets ground. Correcting
this situation may require re-grading to
separate soil from any wood.
Since mulch and many other landscaping materials cause the soil to
remain moist, you should make sure to minimize mulching around
your foundation. Some experts recommend
mulching no closer than a
foot from your home’s foundation. You should also stack your
firewood away from your home. You should also make sure to eliminate
any moisture problems in and around your home,
especially in basements and crawlspaces.
It takes an expert to detect termite damage. Home inspections do not
include a termite inspection so it is highly recommended that you get
a termite inspection in addition to your general home inspection.
Aggressive inspectors are licensed in New Jersey to perform these
inspections.
|
