Termite Inspection

The conscientious homeowner is always on the lookout for various areas of the home that may be in need of improvements or repairs. This includes exterior components that are exposed to the elements of adverse weather conditions as well as normal wear and tear of the interior. Repainting walls is not an unusual job for the homeowner to periodically do throughout the home. Occasionally, the windows are looked at to see if it would be prudent to consider window replacements in order to maintain optimal efficiency. However, there is one inspection of the home that is often overlooked and yet is perhaps the most important and needful inspection of all.

The most dreaded invader to which all homeowners have a fear of is the elusive termite. Often referred to as the silent destroyer, the termite does incredible damage “beneath the surface.” In other words, the damage invoked is rarely seen until it reaches substantial damage. This damage can affect the structural integrity of the building and should be approached seriously with professional assistance.

A professional termite inspector has the knowledge needed to know what to look for and where to look. The knowledgeable inspector will begin by looking for obvious, visible signs of the presence of termites. This includes:

  • Wood damage inside or outside the home.
  • Mud tubes coming from the ground up the sides of the foundation.
  • Discarded termite wings and termite droppings.

But a thorough inspection does not end there. The inspector will also look for particular areas of the property and home that may be ideal conditions to attract termites. This may include areas outside that stay very moist, perhaps even standing water close to the foundation. Decking supports with direct contact to the ground are also closely inspected. The landscaping mulch that looks so nice is another potential spot that is conducive to termite infestation. The well trained inspector might even dig into the soil in various spots around the foundation, looking for termite activity.

If you are a Tennessee homeowner, you should contact the termite experts here at Active Pest Control and arrange for a thorough inspection of your home to give you the peace of mind that your property is free of termites. Our trusted technicians are trained to know just what to look for and where to look. They are aware that termites work all year long, day and night, eating away at the structure of your home one tiny bite at a time. If termites are found, Active Pest Control can strategically implement a treatment that is environmentally friendly; the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System which takes care of the initial infestation as well as any future infestation of termites.

The French New Year and Pest Control

In America, there are many traditions that folks participate in to welcome in the new year. Among them are things like doing a countdown at midnight, kissing the person you are with, dressing in weird hats, using noisemakers, and, of course, eating lots of food. This last tradition seems to be a common one around the world. In France, certain types of cakes and tarts are associated with New Year’s Day. Heart-shaped cakes and log-shaped cakes made of ice cream are among the more popular. But the one that is really interesting, in our opinion, is a type of cake that has a paper crown upon its top, called King’s cake. This puff pastry, which contains a type of filling called frangipane, has a small treat hidden inside. If you are the lucky person to find the dried bean, small coin, or ceramic figure in your piece of King’s cake, you get to wear the paper crown and be King for the day!

So, what can we learn about pest control from this French New Year’s tradition? Well, sometimes you might find something inside your food, but you don’t get to be King for the day for finding it. When you have pests in your home they can spread harmful bacteria and illness wherever they go. Rodents, cockroaches, and flies are among the worst. If they get into food storage areas or land on food prep surfaces, you could get some unwanted microscopic things inside your food. This can lead to stomach illness, dysentery, fever, or worse.

Pest Prevention Tips

If you want to keep these dirty creatures, as well as other common pests, out of your Georgia home, here are some practical steps you can take:

  • Inspect your home for gaps or cracks and fill in holes using a caulking gun.
  • Trim bushes and tree limbs back away from your house.
  • Remove standing water from your yard.
  • Stack firewood off the ground and far away from your home.
  • Make sure all trash is in tightly sealed containers.
  • Keep your house free of crumbs and food spills.
  • Store all foods, including pet food, in tightly sealed plastic containers.

If you have done all these things, and you are still having trouble with invading pests, or if you simply would rather not take any chances, it may be time to consider a professional pest control company. Here at Active Pest Control we offer year-round pest control options. This plan eliminates common household pests, has rodent monitoring and control, and includes the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System. Plus, we won’t charge extra for additional service between scheduled visits. If you would like to welcome in a pest-free* New Year, and not have to worry about finding illness-causing surprises in your cake, drop us a line today.

Happy New Year! From all the staff here at Active Pest Control, we look forward to partnering up with you for a pest-free* and stress-free 2016!