Oct 7, 2019 | New Construction, Termite Control
When you purchase your new home, you have hundreds of things to consider and decide on: What furniture do you need? Are any renovations needed right away? Does your home insurance cover everything? There is a lot to take in!
One thing that typically doesn’t come to mind until a few months after you’ve moved in is, “What about termite protection?” Termites are something that can cause damage to your home, and that damage is often not covered by home insurance policies. Sometimes, you won’t think about it until the damage has already occurred, but there are steps you can take to prevent termite damage. With the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System and a termite provider’s inspection, your home can be protected.
So, what are the benefits of Sentricon Termite Protection?
- With Sentricon, your home is protected every day, the moment it is installed. This is because the bait is always active; once the termite finds the bait, they will bring it back to their colony, essentially eliminating the colony before it can reach your home!
- Another benefit of the Sentricon System is that it allows you to choose a termite warranty for your home through your provider! With Northwest, we offer a Retreat or a Repair and Retreat Warranty. With the warranty, your home is protected even if the termites do cause damage.
- The third benefit of the Sentricon System and a termite provider’s protection is the annual inspection! This inspection allows your home to be checked for any signs of termite activity, which should allow your provider to catch any activity or damage before it begins. Termites prefer the bait that Sentricon provides to other competitors, so you can sleep well at night knowing your home is protected year-round.
Termite protection may not be at the top of your list, but when you think about the $5 Billion in damages that termites cause every year, it is something to highly consider! If you’re considering purchasing a new construction home, connect with your builder about what they offer your home for termite protection!
If you have questions about the right type of termite protection or warranty for your home, give your local termite provider a call; they’ll be able to answer all your important questions so you can make the right decision for your home and family.
Jun 17, 2019 | Termite Control
Owning a home is a huge responsibility. There are so many things to consider, but when making that list of important items, termite protection should be in the top 5. Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in damages each year in the U.S., and most homeowner insurance policies do not cover damage caused by termites. Additionally, if you are looking to sell your home, the seller is usually responsible for covering the damage during the sale of the home. Knowing all this, let’s look at what you can come to expect in your first year of choosing to invest in termite protection.
Initial Inspection
A comprehensive inspection of your property is done by a certified pest professional. They will look for signs of any existing or previous termite infestations and damage. After this is completed, they will go over their findings and best recommendations on the protection and warranties available for your home.
Installation
Once you’ve made your choice and signed on the dotted line, your local office will schedule your installation day. A licensed termite control professional will come out and strategically install your termite protection system. When they have completed the installation, they will go over what was completed and walk the property with you to make sure everything was completed to a standard to which you expect.
Annual Inspections
The best part about investing in a bait system like Sentricon is cutting out the need for continuous visits and worry. Since the bait is cellulose-based and combined with a slow-acting pesticide, it works 24/7. A year after your installation, your licensed termite control professional will come back out to check every station for signs of termite activity.
Choosing the right direction for you when it comes to protecting your most important assets is a big decision. If you still have more questions, give us a call. We’ll schedule your FREE home inspection to give you all the tools to decide.
Jan 25, 2019 | Termite Control
The 2 most common reasons to need a termite inspection: when required during real estate transactions and if termite activity is present or suspected by homeowners and business owners.
If either of these situations applies, you may be wondering how much a termite inspection costs, and what steps are taken if an infestation is found by a termite exterminator.
How Much Does a Termite Inspection Cost?
Termite Inspections for Homeowners & Business Owners:
If you own a home or business and see signs of active termites (usually swarming termites) or termite damage, you’re going to need a termite inspection from a local exterminator near you. Or if you’re considering selling your home in the near future and don’t have a termite warranty, now may be a good time for a termite inspection, so you don’t delay the sales process when you find a potential buyer.
If the intent is to get termite treatment options and find out if you have an active termite infestation, most termite exterminators will perform a free termite inspection. The first step in this process is to contact a reputable pest control company and schedule a termite inspection. On the day of inspection, be prepared for the inspector to spend a half hour to an hour or longer at your property, depending on the size and condition of the home or business. The inspector will be looking for active and previous signs of termites, termite damage, and any other wood destroying insects or pest issues.
If termite activity is found, previous or active, termite treatment options will be provided. Common forms of treatments include liquid barrier treatments and termite baiting systems, which are a less invasive, environmentally responsible option. Most exterminating companies will also offer termite warranties with treatment so that your property is protected from future termite infestations and/or damage.
If no termite activity is found, it’s still a smart choice to consider having your home or business treated for termites. A baiting system like Sentricon Always Active® is a great preventative treatment choice. Termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage each year so taking a proactive approach to termite protection is the only way to totally protect your investment from termites.
Termite Inspections for Real Estate Transactions
Termite inspections and Wood Infestation Reports are usually required during the purchase of a home. These are NOT included in a general home inspection. Often, the real estate agent representing the seller will coordinate the termite inspection with their exterminating company of choice, if the homeowners do not currently have an active termite warranty. The fee for this inspection and report generally ranges from $45 to over $100 depending on the termite company. This fee is sometimes waived if active or previous termite activity is found and the property will require a termite treatment.
You May Also Be Interested In:
Termite Treatment Options: How Sentricon Works
Termite Control: Do I Really Need Termite Protection
What Are Your Termite Treatment Options?
Green Pest Control: Is it Worth the Investment?
What to Look for When Choosing an Exterminator
May 4, 2018 | Termite Control
Spring is the time of year when termites swarm, emerging to mate and establish new colonies. Unfortunately, these new colonies are often established inside our homes. An average of 5 million US homes are infested each year by termites, causing an average of $5 billion in damage annually. What many people don’t realize is that termite damage isn’t covered by homeowner’s insurance policies. What’s a homeowner to do? One thing to consider is the Sentricon Always Active bait system for termite control. Sentricon is a highly effective, environmentally responsible treatment option for termites. What is included with the Sentricon system?
- Immediate Prevention. Sentricon bait is scientifically engineered to naturally enter the termite food chain and destroy both the queen and her entire colony. Sentricon begins working immediately upon installation.
- Home Termite Inspection. When you have Sentricon installed, a comprehensive property inspection is performed checking for signs of existing or previous termite infestations and damage.
- Bait Station Installation. Bait stations containing Recruit HD termite bait are installed in the soil around your home’s perimeter.
- Termite Colony Elimination. Recruit HD termite bait works 24/7 to protect your home from termites and damage.
- Continuous Monitoring. Bait stations are monitored as needed to protect your home against future termite invasions.
- Annual Termite Inspections. Annual interior home inspections for termites and pests are included at no additional charge.
- Lifetime Termite Warranty. Every installation of The Sentricon System with Always Active comes with a lifetime warranty against termite infestations and damage.
- Green Termite Control. Sentricon Always Active bait, Recruit HD, poses no hazard to groundwater and has no label restrictions for use around wells and cisterns. The Sentricon system was registered under the Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative of the US Environmental Protection Agency and is the only termite control product ever to receive the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award.
If you suspect you have a termite problem contact a professional pest control company who can provide you with a thorough inspection and recommend a comprehensive termite treatment and prevention plan.
Mar 18, 2016 | Termite Control
The first official day of spring is Sunday, March 20th (the earliest arrival of spring of our lifetime so far in the Northern Hemisphere, according the the Old Farmer’s Almanac). This is also the first official day of termite season!
Termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage each year in the U.S. Don’t let your home be part of the statistic! Here are some things you can do to prevent termite damage:
- Keep any items made of wood away from your home: firewood, cross ties, construction projects – all are potential food sources for termites
- Another food source for termites: mulch; keep it away from your home’s perimeter
- Termites love moisture, so eliminate sources of moisture by keeping gutters clean
It’s also important to know what to look for. Identifying a termite infestation early is key in preventing damage to your home. Termites swarm in the spring and although swarming termites don’t cause damage, it’s a sign of a destructive termite colony nearby. Swarming termites are often mistaken for flying ants; they have two pairs of long narrow wings, equal in size and, unlike other termites in the colony, are dark or black in color. Warm or wet weather brings termite (subterranean) swarmers out of their nest, typically during daytime hours, to start new colonies. They’re attracted to light so you’ll most likely see swarming termites around windows, doors, and light fixtures, or the wings they sometimes leave behind.
If you notice termite swarmers in your home, it’s a good indication of an established termite colony nearby, that could be causing significant structural damage. If you have an active termite warranty, call your exterminator and request a termite inspection. If termite activity is found, you should be provided with termite treatment options and, depending on your warranty’s coverage, damage repair solutions.
If you don’t currently have termite protection, call a professional termite control company immediately. They will provide a thorough inspection of your home (usually free) and give you the best treatment options to eliminate the active termites and prevent a future termite infestation. Be sure your pest control provider offers multiple warranties with damage repair options. Some even offer lifetime damage repair warranties with termite baiting systems, like Sentricon Always Active, an eco-friendly alternative to termite control.
