Texas Official Wood Destroying Insect Report (Page 6 of 6) in pdf

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assumed that some degree of damage is present." Some areas where damage can

Wood boring beetles

remain undiscovered are: Siding materials; studs; joists; drywall; plumbing areas;

showers; baseboards; rafters; posts; attics and crawlspace areas and or containing

There are many types of wood boring beetles. It is common to find occasional prior

air ducts; wood floor systems.

beetle activity in wood construction materials such as joists, rafters and wood trim. In

most cases, we do not see structural damage occurring. In almost all cases the

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Conducive conditions

infestation is inactive due to wood processing techniques such as kiln drying.

Occasionally active beetles found. Wood boring beetle damage occurs slowly so

Conducive conditions are those situations that tend to promote or assist insect

there is no need for panic if the beetles are detected. Tenting and fumigating an

activity. Many of the mandatory conducive condition comments on the Texas form

entire building may not be justified in all cases. Most infestations can be successfully

represent common construction or landscaping practices. Some of the conducive

treated via local treatments or wood removal. Powder post beetles are usually found

conditions on the Texas form rely on the subjective opinion of the inspector

in woods such as ash paneling and trim. Unfortunately, beetles can infest wood

conducting the inspection. Immediate correction or modification of the conditions

without being readily detectable. They are usually imported to the site as concealed

may not always be required or justified and there are many situations where an

larvae in wood materials. Post inspection emergence is infrequent but nonetheless a

ongoing inspection or monitoring plan can be implemented. One such example is ivy

possibility.

growing on the side of a home. While ivy is conducive to increased insect activity it is

also an occasionally found landscaping practice. Although the Texas report will

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Carpenter ants

consider the condition conducive it does not mean you are required to remove the

ivy. You may find a periodic inspection program that utilizes low impact pest control

Carpenter ant detection is dependent on foraging activities and seasonal factors. In

methods satisfactory in your situation. Be advised, lenders are accustomed to

warmer weather the ants are more active at night. Carpenter ants do not eat wood,

rejecting funding on the basis of a condition being identified as conducive. This

instead they excavate galleries in which they nest. Many times the ants will nest in

practice of wholesale loan rejection is now obsolete and may not be justified in all

wall voids or insulation. Preferred nesting areas tend to be moist and perhaps

situations. If this report identifies situations as conducive we recommend you show

associated with a wood rot condition. Damage is slow to occur in most cases and

your lender the report in advance of closing so that any objections can be

radical emergency treatment actions are usually not justified. The ants are common

addressed. If we are required to re-inspect corrected conditions or reproduce report

in densely foliated areas and keeping foliage trimmed away from buildings will

paper work a service charge is applicable.

reduce risk of infestation. Various treatment options exist. If your home is in an area

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with moisture and copious vegetation you should expect periodic encounters with the

Subterranean termites

insects.

Subterranean termites are very common in this north Texas region. They are so

common that our opinion is it's a matter of "when" termites will infest a building and

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Insect specie identification

not "if". We find that in general buildings less than 10 years old have less risk. We do

occasionally find termites on younger buildings, ho wever it is the exception rather

Although the inspector has general knowledge of the biology, habits and

than the rule. Buildings that are older than 10 years seem to be in the highest risk

identification of insects such as Wood Borers, Drywood termites and Formosan

category. Our experience leads us to believe that most buildings will have some sort

termites, the inspector should not be considered an identification expert due to the

of treatment done before it is 15 years old. If we report this home as not showing

infrequency in which some of these insects are encountered. The inspector will

visible signs of termite infestation you should understand that it is simply a matter of

attempt to be accurate, however incorrect identification of insect specie is possible.

time before they show up and a corrective action will be needed.

No warranty or guarantee is made regarding correct insect specie identification.

Precise entomological identification services are available by your request for an

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Treating for Subterranean termites

additional fee. We presently use Texas A&M for insect identifications and the

process can take several weeks.

Treatment for subterranean termites has traditionally focused on creating a chemical

barrier by placing pesticides on the soil around and sometimes under a home.

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Home warranty companies

Previous chemicals like Chlordane were very effective but were removed from the

market place due to misapplications and suspected d angers. We do not test for

There are separate warranty company’s that offer very limited treatment protection

chemical contamination and, if you are interested in such, you should consult an

against the infestation of subterranean termites. Most warranties do not offer

expert on the matter. Present day chemicals are suspected to have life expectancies

protection against damage. These policies might be worth considering as they may

of 5 years or less. Reinfestation on homes treated with newer chemicals is very

reduce risk, however, be sure to read their contracts as most have significant

common. It is our opinion that reinfestation is a matter of when and not if. On the

limitations and their deductibles are somewhat expensive. Check to see if their

good side of the story, new treatment methods such as baiting are being developed.

treatment will be a thorough partial or limited spot treatment. If the home has a prior

Properly used, baiting may have significant impact on colony size and strength.

treat ment history from another company it is sometimes less expensive to assume

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their warranty, if available.

Drywood and Formosan termites.

Drywood and Formosan termites are uncommon in this region but have been

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How you can help

reported in isolated circumstances. It seems that cold winters and drier conditions

discourage significant colony growth at this time. The inspec tion does not inspect

Insect activity can be reduced by following some simple guidelines, some of which

rail-road ties or bark for the insects. When isolated infestations are discovered, they

are: Keep foliage trimmed; Control areas of excess moisture; Remove food sources

are usually related to imported infested construction or landscaping materials.

such as pet foods, garbage or wood on soil contact. A tidy home reduces insect

Treatments for these insects varies and is much more expensive and difficult than

infestation problems. Regarding termites: Keep soil below foundation edge; Do not

that for subterranean termites. It is recommended you ask the seller to disclose

store wood on soil around home; Have home inspected annually. If y ou experience a

specifically if the home has had drywood or Formosan termite species prior to

suspected termite swarm, do not panic. They will not harm you and emergency

closing. For further information concerning the remote activity of these insects

treatment is not justified. You have time to investigate your options. If possible, keep

contact the Texas Structural Pest Control Board and Texas A&M University as it is

a few insect samples in a film canister so your pest control company can identify

my understanding they may be monitoring this subject.

them. By following these simple rules you can reduce insect activity.

Licensed and Regulated by the Structural Pest Control Board, 1106 Clayton Ln, # 100 LW, Austin, TX 78723-1066, (512) 451-7200

581 Sample Lane

Plano

SPCB/T4

, TX.

Page 6 of 6

Prepared exclusively for person or company named on line 4A, Page 1. Not transferable. BUYERS INITIALS ____

Texas Official Wood Destroying Insect Report Page 6

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