Termite infestation found in home?

Question

I am purchasing a new home. The bug inspector found termites. The house was built in 1994. About how long does it take for termites to structurally damage a home? I heard it takes decades until it would be considered destroyed. Can termites damage a home severly in a few years? Just how wood to these little bastardss consume?

Answer 1

I can only speak in generalities because I haven't seen your new home, You'll have to rely on your termite inspector for an assessment of the damage that has been done. However, termites are a fact of life, and all wood frame homes will be affected at one time or another. Usually a localized treatment is sufficient, but it is not uncommon for a home to be tented and fumigated when changing ownership.

I recommend that you get an annual service contract with a reputable termite company. For that, they will make an inspection once a year and provide treatment whenever needed. Apparently termite damage progresses slowly and an inspection once a year is considered adequate.

There are drywood termites, which affect higher areas like the rafters and fascia boards, and subterranean termites that get into the lower walls. As I recall (and I may be wrong), my termite inspector told me that subterranean termites are more aggressive in their consumption of wood. You need to be on a constant lookout for evidence of termites, like droppings or mud tubes.