Termites are a fact of life in Hawaii. They are present year-round and there’s a good chance that you’ll have to deal with them at some point if you live here long enough. Termites are quite invasive and can get into any part of your home that’s made of wood, no matter what floor you live on. We had a client with a condo above the 30th floor whose door frame had termites. The good news is, they can be treated. Read on to learn about termites and how we must consider them during the sale or purchase of real estate. You can also watch the Ask Doug! episode about termites here.
Types:
There are two main types: dry wood termites and subterranean termites.
Dry wood termites fly in while subterranean termites come in underground. They can be very destructive, go to the structural parts of the home, and pose a risk of collapsing the house.
What to Look For:
Small piles under wood items such as cabinets doors that look like small piles of sand.
Dry wood termites are attracted to light sources are so they are often found in windows and doors because they fly into them but can even be found in carpet tacks.
Keep in mind that sometimes ants live in the termite tunnels and dust comes out, also, wind or a storm can shake up the tunnels. If you suspect you have termites, it’s best to have a professional come out to inspect your property
How it Affects Real Estate:
In real estate transactions, a Termite Inspection Report is done during the escrow process. If termites are found, it will need to be shown that they have been treated if it calls for it and that there are either no termites or dead termites.
Typically, the buyer picks the inspector, and the seller pays for the inspection. Lenders often require an inspection.
Treatment:
Tenting does an excellent job; it also kills other insets.
It’s good to have the home tented before you move in, since it requires a lot of packing/removing and protecting of items. Be aware that tenting can kill indoor and outdoor plants. The company you use will provide instructions on how to prepare your home for tenting.
To treat subterranean termites, they will drill and pour poison around the perimeter of the property or put in bait well around the property.
Spot treating doesn’t often work and may require multiple applications.
When you’re deciding which company to use, compare prices of treatment as well as warranties
Prevention:
Use a professional service for inspecting and monitoring termite activity.
Use screens so termites can’t fly inside your home.
Keep open water sources away from the home; subterranean termites need a water source.
Paint raw wood surfaces and keep them dry.
Use treated or synthetic lumber when possible.
The Concierge Department at Caron B Realty keeps a list of regularly updated trusted vendors for all kinds of real estate services, including termite extermination. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions about termites or extermination companies at concierge@caronb.com
