How Often Should I Get My Home Inspected For Termites in Florida?

We recommend getting a termite inspection once a year, especially if you have concerns about termites or live in an area prone to them – like many places in Florida are. Regular termite inspections are key to ensuring new termite activity does not take over your property.

Annual inspections allow you to catch issues before they can worsen and cause major damage. With the help of a professional termite exterminator who knows how to look for early signs of termites, you can rest easy knowing a termite infestation isn’t going to eat away at your Florida home or business.

Need a termite inspection or wood-destroying insect report? We can help you!

Why Regular Termite Inspections Are Important

Termites are known for causing extensive damage before they’re ever detected. In a state like Florida, where subterranean termites and drywood termites are especially active, regular inspections are crucial. These pests feed on wooden structures and can silently weaken your home’s foundation over time.

By scheduling routine termite inspections, you can detect early signs of infestation, like mud tubes, frass, or discarded wings, before the problem escalates. Proactive inspections can reduce the need for costly termite treatment and help preserve your property’s structure.

If you’re concerned about how quickly an infestation can grow, understanding how to stop termites from spreading shows why inspections are so essential.

Are Annual Termite Inspections Necessary?

Yes—annual termite inspections are necessary, especially in Florida’s humid and termite-prone environment.

Older homes, buildings with wood debris nearby, or properties with excess moisture are especially vulnerable. Even newly built homes should be inspected annually to maintain protection.

Learn more about the costs of termite damage by finding out how much it costs to treat and remove termites in Florida.

How Long Does a Termite Inspection Take?

The length of a termite inspection depends on the size, age, and layout of your property, as well as the number of areas of the home that need to be assessed. An experienced inspector will carefully evaluate both the interior and exterior of the building, paying close attention to crawl spaces, attics, basements, and any wooden structures where termite activity is likely.

Larger properties or those with complex layouts may require more time to ensure every potential risk area is inspected thoroughly.

What to Expect with a Termite Inspection

With termite inspections, it is important to look for more than just active termite infestations. At Florida Pest Control, our exterminators also look for evidence of previous termite infestations or conditions that may lead to new pest infestations. Our termite inspection process includes the following steps:

Thoroughly examine the inside and outside of your home or building for evidence of termites, including the pests themselves, conducive conditions, wings, exit holes, and termite damage.
Inspecting for cracks, hollowed wood, and bubbled paint – all of which are indicators of a wood-destroying insect infestation.
If termites are discovered, a custom treatment plan will be developed based on the termite type and the severity of the infestation.
If no evidence of termites is found, preventative tips will be given to help you prevent termites from infesting your home.

Do Home Inspectors Check for Termites?

Some home inspectors may note signs of potential pest activity during their assessment, but a thorough termite inspection typically requires a trained pest control professional. For a detailed evaluation and proper documentation—especially if you’re concerned about wood-destroying insects—it’s best to work with a professional termite control technician.

Termite Inspections for Real Estate Transactions

Termites and other wood-destroying pests are a major concern in Florida. That’s why, in many situations, getting a professional inspection is a required part of the real estate transaction process. This will identify the presence of termites, termite warning signs, and conditions that make the home more susceptible to termites – so everyone is on the same page.

In addition to actual termites, we’ll also look for things like wood rot and moisture factors that are not generally identifiable to the untrained eye.

When Should You Get a Wood Destroying Insect Report?

Florida Pest Control also provides wood-destroying organism inspections. In addition to termites, our team is trained to inspect for evidence of carpenter bees, carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and other wood-destroying organisms.

After the inspection, we will provide you with written documentation outlining the presence or absence of wood-destroying organism activity.

Who Should Get Regular Termite Inspections in Florida?

If you own a home or business, do yourself a favor by signing up for regular termite inspections. Annual inspections go a long way to prevent termite infestations from starting up.

If you own an older home in Florida, it’s especially important to get routine inspections. Older homes do tend to be more at risk for termites.
That said, new buildings are also at risk and should receive a termite inspection every year as well.

Learn more about how to prevent termites with pre-treatment in new construction to see why early protection matters.

How Inspections and Treatments Work Together

Think of inspections as your early warning system and treatments as your defense. A termite inspection identifies active threats and vulnerable areas, while termite treatment eliminates current pests and helps prevent future infestations. Together, they offer full-circle termite prevention.

How to Do Your Own Termite Inspections

Even if you get annual termite inspections, you should still make a point to do your own occasional inspections between appointments. While your inspection won’t be as detailed as a professional inspection, you should make it a point to look for these four signs of termite activity:

Termite swarms: Usually seen in the spring and summer, always look for swarming termites, which look like flying ants.
Piles of shed wings: Swarming termites shed their wings after establishing a new colony, indicating termites are nearby.
Termite feces: Also known as frass, termite excrement looks like little wood pellets that are the size of coffee grounds.
Mud tubes: Finding these mud highways in the soil near a wood source around your home is a likely sign you have termites.

Call Us Now to Schedule Your Termite Inspection

It’s estimated that termites cause about $5 billion in property damage every year in the U.S. And they’re notorious for being silent destroyers, so it’s important to have an annual termite inspection performed at your property. If you want the best protection against termites, it’s best to team up with a professional termite control company such as Florida Pest Control. Our team of termite experts has the years of experience needed to provide you with thorough and quick termite inspections.

To schedule a termite inspection or to learn more about our services in South Florida, give us a call today!

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