How to Inspect an Apartment for Termites Infestation?

If you are planning on purchasing a resale or brand new apartment, a thorough property inspection is a must. Most often, prospective home owners will only look out for visible issues and neglect potential structural damages to the apartment. It may seem improbable since apartments are high above the ground; however, they are still vulnerable to termite infestations because they can travel upwards and can easily travel from unit to unit. Termites infestation are not only a costly issue but it can also be detrimental to the structural stability to your future apartment. This makes early detection of termite activity a must. Although termites often stay out of sight, there are a lot of signs of termites to look out for when inspecting your future home.

Mud Tubes

Often found located around termite nest, wood structures, and concrete or stone foundations, mud tubes are created by termites to protect themselves from predators and dry environments while travelling between a food source and their nest. These are one of the main indicators that there are termites present in the property.

Termite Droppings and Wings

Termite droppings (commonly referred to as frass) generally look like saw dust. This is commonly indicative of drywood termites. The existence of termite droppings in the area may indicate that there is healthy termite activity. Another indicator of termite activity is detached wings in doors, cabinets, and wardrobes. Detached wings are often a sign of termite swarmers or alates. These often emerge when the humidity is high and they go straight to lighted areas.

Damaged Wood

Not all damaged wood is easy to spot. Apart from inspecting the wood visually for holes and nests, one more way to spot damaged wood is by knocking on it. Drywood termites can primarily be found on doors, kitchen cabinets, and wooden wardrobes. Subterranean termites, on the other hand, can be largely found on walls, floors, wall dividers, or beams.  If you notice that the wood sounds hollow or you notice a dull thud when knocked on, this means that termites have consumed the wood from inside.

Signs of Moisture

Signs of moisture such as bubbling or peeling paint or laminate floors are a potential indication of termites. Since termites avoid going into sunlight or air at all costs, these provide termites with ideal conditions to thrive in because it’s moist and away from direct sunlight.

These are just some of the things you can do when inspecting your potential home for a termite infestation. If you do find some of the signs of termites in a resale or new apartment, it isn’t the end of the world. Get a professional termite control treatment for Termatrac Inspection. Its advanced microwave detection technology can accurately detect the presence of subterranean termites’ activity. Early detection is the best way to save you from serious damages on your property.