Termite Infestation

Some people believe that termites attack only older, wooden structures, while new homes made of brick, stone or with termite barriers remain relatively safe from the marauders.

The fact is that new homes - even houses under construction are susceptible to termite attack. Termites can enter the home through expansion joints, plumbing areas, or in hairline cracks in the foundation. They construct “mud tubes” - essentially termite tunnels that allow them to travel from the soil up the foundation to the wood trims or frame. Most homes have wooden framing, floors, doors, and furniture that can attract termites. Metal shields or barriers over foundation walls can be an effective barrier against termites - as long as they retain their structural integrity. As a house settles, minute gaps usually open in the foundation and around the shields that allow termite penetration. In some cases termites have built tubes around the shields and entered the house.

It is difficult to spot termite infestation because the insects do not inhabit the structures of the house; they just forage there. They live in nests widely spread beneath the soil, sometimes at a considerable distance from the house. It is best that you hire a professional once you suspect a termite nest on the vicinity of your home.