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Home Pest Inspections

- Semi-annual inspections are the best insurance against damage -

Summary: You can do your own pest and dry-rot inspections to uncover problems before they become unmanageable. Use these suggestions and don't forget to keep good records!

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)

Annual, or semi-annual, pest and dry-rot inspections are important for keeping up the value of your home. Done properly, inspections will reveal potential damage before it becomes unmanageable and expensive.

Damage by the dry rot fungus, caused by excessive wood moisture, is the leading cause of wood failure in homes. This is not the same fungus that has made headlines recently as a health concern. It is the fungus that destroys the structural integrity of wood.

Wood damaged by dry rot fungus is often described as "alligator skin" because of the cracked, blocky appearance of the surface. Dry rot causes weakness in the wood fibers which will eventually fail if placed under load. Rotted wood must be replaced after the source of moisture is found and eliminated. Impregnating the wood with borate will stop fungal growth.

house foundation

House foundation, siding and foundation vents (black). Inspect for insect activity and water infiltration on the foundation between soil and siding. "Perimeter" treatments should be applied where the siding overlaps the foundation. Photo by JD DeAngelis.

 

Insects pose a second concern. Unmanaged carpenter ants, termites and powderpost beetles can cause significant and costly damage. Carpenter ants damage sound wood while expanding their nest cavities. Termites consume wood. One group, the subterranean termites, often start colonies in wood that has been buried near homes during construction. Powderpost beetles burrow in softwoods and hardwoods causing extensive structural and aesthetic damage.

The free Guides below will help you set up an inspection routine for all these pests. You can do the inspections yourself or hire a home inspector or pest control company (exterminator). Some inspection services now offer a "pest and water damage only" inspection for a reasonable fee.

Related information: [Home Inspections Guide] [pdf]; [Semi-Annual Home Inspection Form] [pdf]

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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.

Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.

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