Termites in Baltimore Can Not Read!

Termites in Baltimore Can Not Read!

This blog by Lenn Harley is right on and here was my comment.
'  A warranty against termites HA! Termites can't read. There are only two kinds of homes in Maryland. Those that have been treated for termites and those that are going to be treated. Good home inspectors, heck good agents know the signs of termites. Just because a home has been treated is NO guarantee! I have seen too many termites and too much termite damage (really we need to call them wood boring insects) in homes that have been treated. My own personal home has been treated many times. Uh oh, I feel a blog.'

Over the years we have experienced "swarmers" some people call them flying ants. They usually show up in the spring and are a sign of termite activity. Each time we had these " swarmers", we were left with a gazillion wings!  Each time we had a different pest company inspect and each time we had a treatment which ranged from drilling holes all around the perimeter of the house and in the basement and garage. Each time we were assured that would be the end.

We had a wood deck covering a concrete porch completely removed thinking that was the source. We opened a wall on the outside of the house but that revealed nothing.

The winter before last, we had replacement windows installed. As the front window was removed, one board showed the tell tale signs of termite damage. You can see the photo on the left with the mud tracks. The middle photo shows how soft the wood became...eaten through by the wood boring insects. A pocket knife slid easily right through the board! And the photo on the right shows the brand new piece of wood ready for caulking and new window installation.

           

Please remember... A warranty against termites HA! Termites can't read. There are only two kinds of homes in Maryland. Those that have been treated for termites and those that are going to be treated. Good home inspectors, heck good agents know the signs of termites. Just because a home has been treated is NO guarantee! I have seen too many termites and too much termite damage (really we need to call them wood boring insects) in homes that have been treated.

Get your homes inspected each year. Protect your clients even if the lender does not call for a pest inspection. These wood borers are not always easily seen. I have seen where these critters have crawled up the back of wallpaper eating the wallpaper paste.

And remember termites can not read, not even in Baltimore!