Termites can destory your investment while going completely unnoticed to homeowners. Warm weather and consistent humidity makes the south more likely to experience termite activity.

A few signs of a termite infestation:

• Mudtubes on the exterior surface
• Wings that look similar to fish-scales shredded near an entry point in the home.

Because termites can destory a home and go unnoticed, it is recommended that homeowners get termite inspections annually.

There are 3 common types of termites: drywood, dampwood, and subterranean. Although any of these can invade a home, Subterranean Termites are the most common in South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Drywood Termites are the next common along the coast. Subterranean Termites must have moist soil nearby and infest any wood that is in contact with the ground. They make mubtubes to move from soil to wood as a "link" to prevent dehydration. Since they need to move through wood or soil in order to get inside of homes, having wood touching the foundation can cause a termite infestation in a home. Mulch, overgrown shrubs, and firewood placed too close to homes are other examples of how termites gain access to a home.

Moisture plays a major role in a temite infestation. Leaky pipes, improper drainage, and poor airflow all creates moisture that attracts termites.

Powder Post Beetles are another home destorying pest. They may infest wood at any stage in the wood manufacturing process. Untreated wood can harbor beetles larvae, so adults might not emerge until long after the home has been constructed. Adult beetles lay eggs in the crevices of untreated wood. When the larvae hatch, they start tunneling. Sometimes the outline of the tunnles near the wood surface can be seen, but in many cases the larvae goes undeatected.

During our inspection process we will list conditions conducive to an infestion as well as insects and/or damage.