The site of the large red utility truck in the neighbors driveway was both comforting and alarming. That house was known for being one of the largest and nicest in the neighborhood, complete with a pool in the backyard, an extra two car garage, and a circular driveway where that red utility truck was parked.
The fact that this service vehicle indicated it was a termite inspection company made you both worried and relieved. Before seeing that truck, you feared you were the only house in the neighborhood that had had termite damage. In a subdivision that is only 20 years old, you feared that your lack of upkeep had led to the termite problem that was discovered earlier in the summer.
Now, with an indication that one of the nicest and most well cared for homes in the neighborhood also had termite problems, you breathed a sigh of relief. That relief, however, did not last long as you began to wonder if this was going to be an ongoing problem in a neighborhood that had few termite reports until now.
Termite Damage Affects 600,00 Homes a Year
Every year, termites and other insects cause an estimated $30 billion in damage to crops and man-made structures in America. And while some of these infestations may be caused by exterior maintenance and interior cleanliness, the majority of termite damage and other problems is simply a matter of where you live. For example, there is a region that so many homes in the southern part of the U.S. are built with brick. With no cold weather that brings freezing temperatures, termite damage is more common and wooden structures are especially vulnerable.
Pest control varies by regions, and while termites might be more common in warmer climates, silverfish may be a problem in midwestern homes with shake shingles. A home exterminator in the south then might be able to offer the best advice on termite treatments in the hottest months when termite problems seem to explode and a house exterminator in the north may be able to offer better advice on animals that burrow in back yards as the temperatures drop.
As another example, in parts of the country where termites are a problem, an exterminator can advise homeowners about the best practices to avoid termites. For instance, exterminators ask homeowners to remove piles of wood, rotted stumps and logs, and other debris from around the structure of a home. Keeping firewood at least 20 feet away from the home and and five inches off the ground is another common recommendation. Maintaining at least six inches of clearance between soil and structural wood helps prevent prevent decay in an effort to avoid attracting carpenter ants. Without carpenter ants, termites have a difficult time finding their next meal.
Unfortunately, a homeowner who discovers termite damage will likely have to spend an average of $3,000 in repairs. On the other hand, since prevention is the key to many potential termite problems, the cost of preventative treatments can be much less. In fact, Angie?s List data indicates that the national average price for termite treatment is $1,535. That is nearly half of what homeowners who do not treat and end up with damage have to spend on repairs.
Across the nation, Angie’s List reports that the average that exterior pest treatments cost significantly more than interior treatments. For instance, According to Angie?s List, the national average cost for interior treatment is $145; the average exterior pest treatment is $214.
Pests That Will Keep You Up at Night!
As people across the country to get used to preventing termite damage, another pest problem is becoming more prevalent in America. Bed bugs, which often were thought of as a problem limited to just a few places with poor cleaning, are now showing up in an increasing number of hotels, camps, and campuses. As a result, these bed bugs are finding their ways into more homes.
In fact, close to 100% of all pest professionals have treated bed bugs in the past calendar year. This alarming statistic has remain nearly unchanged since the year 2013. This percentage, however, is significantly higher than the number of professionals who reported five to 15 years ago.