How often should I get a termite inspection?

The short version

No source we checked gives homeowners a fixed number of years. The EPA's advice is to inspect periodically to help ensure that termite colonies do not become established.^[1] In practice, the right interval depends on whether you hold a termite service agreement, how your house is built and what the last inspection found. If you have no agreement and no recent inspection, book one now, then ask the inspector how often they recommend returning to your house and why.

Why a regular inspection is worth it

Termites hide, and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions.^[2] Most people notice them only when a swarm appears or damage turns up during a repair. North Carolina State Extension makes the same case: an inspection by a pest management professional is the best way to head off problems before they lead to serious damage, and it advises owners who skip annual professional visits to do their own mini-inspections during routine maintenance.^[5]

A visit also catches conditions that invite termites before termites arrive. Virginia Cooperative Extension warns that spreading mulch or gravel against the foundation causes moisture to be retained at the base of the structure, and that the area next to the foundation should be kept as dry as possible.^[4] A professional will point to leaks, wet crawlspaces, soil touching siding and wood piled against the house.

When the schedule is set for you

You have a service agreement. If a company has treated the house, the agreement usually sets the inspection rhythm. Under a typical agreement the company will return and retreat the affected areas at no additional charge as long as the annual renewal is kept up.^[2] The University of Kentucky entomologists advise that if a pest control firm previously treated the building, it is a good idea to maintain the warranty by paying the annual renewal fee.^[3] Read your contract for what the renewal inspection covers. Do I need a termite bond in Virginia explains the trade-offs.

You are buying or selling. A fresh inspection is the usual rule at a sale. The VA says that wood-destroying insect information is required for the entire state of Virginia on VA home loans,^[6] and other lenders may ask too; see is a termite inspection required to buy a house in Virginia. An inspection from a previous sale does not tell you about today.

You see a sign. Mud tubes, swarmers or hollow-sounding wood are reasons to call now, not at the next scheduled visit. Signs of termites in a house shows what to look for.

What changes how often

• A past infestation or treatment. A house with a history deserves closer watching.
• Moisture. Leaks, poor drainage and damp crawlspaces draw termites, so keep gutters and downspouts working.
• Wood near soil. The EPA advises not piling or storing firewood or wood debris next to the house.^[1]
• Hidden foundations. Extension notes that termites can be hard to spot where a foundation is hidden behind brick veneer, stucco or foam insulation that sits below grade.^[4] Houses built that way may need more thorough professional checks.
• Neighbouring activity. If a neighbour has termites, tell your pest control company.

Making each visit count

Where you can, schedule the inspection for a time when you can be present,^[4] so the inspector can show you the conditions around the house that invite termites and tell you how to correct them. Keep the written reports together; the history of what was found and treated helps at resale and with any warranty claim. Ask what areas could not be inspected, such as a finished basement or a tight crawlspace, and whether anything can be done to open them up.

Pest control companies often offer free termite inspections,^[3] so compare what is actually checked and written down. A short written report listing the areas inspected is worth more than a quick walk-through. For cost, see how much a termite inspection costs in Virginia.

When to call a licensed pro

For the inspection and for any treatment. Virginia law says no person may apply or recommend for use any pesticide commercially without a pesticide business license.^[7] Ask to see the company's licence before you book. Your own part is between visits: keep the foundation dry, keep wood away from the house and note anything unusual to tell the inspector.

Browse inspection services or read more inspection answers. When you are ready, describe the termite job on Loclis so licensed local businesses can quote it in writing.