Barfield Home Inspections and Pest Control

Friends, I feel obligated to share information about concerns that are happening to our properties all throughout Texas and Louisiana. In these areas, the most persistent destructive event that is happening to property is an infestation of wood destroying insects. Our geographical location allows our property to be affected by several wood destroying insects such as termites, carpenter bees and carpenter ants. An infestation by any of these types of insects can do significant damage to buildings, however the worst, by far, is a termite infestation. Carpenter Ants and Bees can damage a building extensively, but if caught in time, the damage will be minimal. These insects are easily eradicated from buildings with a single treatment.
Termite infestations can destroy huge areas of the structure that supports a building. In our areas, we primarily have two species of termites that are capable of creating damage that can range from a small inexpensive repair, up to having to remove and rebuild completely. Native Subterranean Termites (approx. 3/16 inch long) is the most common termite to our areas and has been around for eons of time. This insect can destroy buildings, if not detected, but it would take up to a year or more. If detected within a reasonable time, this termite can be eradicated from buildings with a single treatment. Formosan Subterranean Termites (approx. 3/8 inch long) is a species that was brought to the U.S. through shipping containers that were delivering goods from other countries. Mainly through ports like New Orleans and Miami, although they have flourished and spread throughout the Gulf Coast Region. This termite can be twice the size of Native Subterranean Termites and they can be three times as aggressive. A single infestation from these insects can cost thousands of dollars to repair. They are capable of moving small groups of themselves with a queen to many different areas of buildings so a treatment for these termites may require multiple applications to eradicate. If the infestation has progressed throughout the entire structure, the only alternative is fumigation, which is extreme and very expensive.
There are sucessful solutions to termite problems and the most important course of action is to start with inspections. Pest control companies who specialize in termite treatments, such as BHI-Pest and Termite Control, can perform invasive inspections to determine if any wood destroying insect activity is taking place and develope a treatment plan to eradicate anything present or prevent any activity from ever occuring. A WDI report should identify any previous, ongoing or future infestations of insects and locate condusive conditions with recommendations to correct and prevent. Maintaining an annual inspection for any type of wood destroying insect at your property is highly recommended for the prevention of damages to your property.
My company inspects thousands of properties each year for people buying or selling houses and builders constructing new buildings. Termite infestations and damages are the most common defect we are finding. Termites are constantly expanding their areas of coverage and everyone should be aware of the possibility that your property could be affected, if not already. Call a termite control specialist in your area as soon as possible to set up a WDI inspection for your property.

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Our area has been covered by a swarm from Formosan Subterranean Termites, off and on for the past few weeks. These swarms can last periodically into June, and although they do not present any danger to your home or buildings, it is a very clear indication that there are active colonies of these termites close by.  I have been warning people about these “Formosan” termites for years and we are working diligently to eradicate these insects every opportunity we get. They are extremely aggressive and can do tens of thousands of dollars in damage to any type of property in a very short time. I have found huge infestations inside commercial buildings where the only food source for these termites is the paper on the backside of drywall and the paper tape used to join the drywall pieces. They were still able to create over $25000 in drywall damage.

The only true protection against an infestation by these horribly destructive termites is by maintaining a complete preventative treatment at all times. There should never be a time that our houses are not protected against these termites by having a protective barrier around our house, a plan in place to keep that barrier maintained and up to date, and by eliminating any areas around our houses that may attract these termites when they are out scouting for a food source. Regardless of the type of materials your house is made of, if there are any building products around or in your house made of wood or paper, your house is susceptible to an infestation. All these tiny bugs need is an opening the size of a #2 pencil lead. A 2mm opening is all that is required for an infestation to start. These termites will begin by coming up from the ground so the first obstacle to impede their path should start below ground. An up to date, chemical barrier using the latest treatment materials and techniques that completely encircles your buildings and due diligence from the occupants towards preventing any conducive conditions to exist, is the only sure way to prevent these termites from infesting our property.
If you need more information or want to schedule our services, please contact our office at 409-697-3360. We have many different services that we provide to assist owners in keeping the property they own in the best possible shape without having to spend a fortune.
Let us help you protect your property against these wood destroying insects.
Rusty Barfield

The Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is swarming right now in our area and has been off and on for the past couple of weeks. i’ve seen these swarms last into June.  this term I at this stage of life cannot damage your house. However, it is an indication that there are termite colonies in your area. The only true way to keep these very destructive creatures from infesting your house is to maintain a preventative treatment at all times which includes a chemical barrier around your house.

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