How do they get in?

Because termites need moisture and have a low tolerance to air and light, they live underground, attacking a home from below. A loose mortar joint, a minute space around a drain pipe, or a settlement crack in the basement is all they need to gain entry.

Aren't new homes and houses with concrete slabs virtually termite-proof?

The experience of homeowners nationwide shows that no home, new or old is safe from termites. By building mud tubes, termites can cross concrete, brick, cinder block, metal termite shields, pretreated wood, or any barrier other than a pofessionally applied termite treatment.

Drywood termites enter the home when they swarm. Concrete slabs and brick exteriors will not prevent these termites from getting a foothold in your home, should they find it.

If I haven't seen swarming termites, or traces of damage, can my home still be in danger?

Unfortunately, yes. When a colony swarms, the winged termites may be in the air for just a few minutes and you may not see them. Termites also eat wood from the inside out, making their activity detectable only by professional termite inspection. Termite tubes can appear in many different forms, often in areas that a homeowner does not normally look, or in a form that a homeowner might not recognize. University's experienced termite inspectors can identify these signs early and advise a course of action to correct any activity you may be seeing.

When is the right time to call in a termite professional?

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to termites and your home. University can provide annual inspections and preventative treatments to make sure your home does not fall victim to untreated termite activity.

Call University for an inspection at the first indication of termites, for cost effective treatment. The longer you delay treatment, the more damage termites will do. Repairs will become more extensive, and more expensive. Generally speaking, the sooner you approve treatment, the better.

If you are considering listing your home for sale, be sure to have University inspect at no cost prior to bringing the property to market to avoid problems later.

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