Although termites appear small and harmless, these pests damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year, as each one of the termites are capable of consuming anywhere from 2 to 3% of its total body weight. In addition, each colony can have over 2 million members. More often than not, the presence of a single termite will often indicate that a full-blown infestation is already underway and the structural integrity of the home has been severely compromised. Infrared cameras are often employed by professional exterminators to detect the presence of termite colonies.
Prevention Is Key In Termite Control
Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage each and every year. Unfortunately, most of the time, termite damage is not covered by homeowner insurance policies. As a result, homeowners are often left to foot the entire bill. Instead of waiting for a full-blown infestation, implementing preventive mechanisms is key to termite control. In short, figure out which areas of your home may be compromised or vulnerable early on, so that you can deal with the problem then instead of waiting to be attacked. You should:
- patch up any holes in the walls, ceilings or flooring that will provide termites access to the internal compartments, which are made up entirely of wood.
- replace any wooden planks or structures that are found to be rotting or wet.
- determine whether there are any water leakages in the residence that need to be addressed.
Most experts recommend getting an infrared camera inspection before purchasing the building to identify areas that will be likely targets, so that appropriate measures can be implemented to secure these locations. Homeowners who are particularly concerned about termite infestations can also opt for infrared camera inspections if they ever suspect that their homes are under attack.
Process Involved with Termite Detection
If you're interested in getting an infrared camera inspection, you can expect the exterminators to first perform a thorough, visual inspection of the attic, crawlspace, walls, and overall architectural structure of the residence in order to determine whether there are any areas that may require more attention. This is generally followed by a complete infrared camera inspection of the entire home to confirm whether there are any anomalies.
If there are anomalies, a moisture meter will be utilized to determine whether the area is susceptible to termite infestations, and a microwave test will be implemented to track any movement that may be behind the walls. Acoustical testing, along with infrared camera detection, will then be used to determine the size of the colony, and the type of nest that has been built, before a fiberoptic scope is used to determine whether there are any live termites on site.
Once a termite colony has been detected and identified, most exterminators will generally take the time to identify the type of termites that they are dealing with in order to recommend cheaper and more effective extermination techniques and methods. With an infrared camera inspection, the amount of inspection damage that may occur will be significantly reduced.
Conclusion
Traditionally, exterminators relied on flashlights and screwdrivers to identify where the problem areas may be. As you can tell, this type of inspection and examination is not very thorough, and areas that may be missed can easily become the Achilles' heel of the residence. Infrared cameras have the ability to detect high-risk, high-moisture areas, and can easily pick up small termite colonies from the heat that is being emitted. It is one of the most effective inspection methods recommended, as it is not invasive. Infrared camera inspections allow for more enhanced reports for exterminators to be able to make better decisions.
For more information, or if you suspect a termite problem in your home, contact a local pest control company.
