Who’s eating you out of house and home?

Termites are not the type of guest you want in your home. Termites are extremely destructive little guys and they always travel with about a million of their relatives.

These ferocious eaters cover all of Toronto except for a few areas. These insect aliens are looking for a meal to bring back to their colony, that’s right, they take a few bites out of a wood joist or wood stud and they travel back to their colony far underground. There they distribute your yummy house to their friends and family.

One colony of termites can take on 3 or 4 houses at a time. If your neighbour is treating their property for termites, you should also. If you don’t currently have termites it won’t take long before you do. There are termite companies that use an environmentally friendly treatment and the cost is around $4000+.

So, what are the signs that you have termites? Well, it’s not always that simple. The best way to know is to look behind your drywall and investigate your studs and joists. If you see veins/lines/tubes raised in the wood, you may have to break a vein/line/tube to see if there are any termites inside. If you see those little white devils call a termite company to treat your property!

Oh, did I tell you termites love spray foam insulation. It’s one of their favourite ways to travel within your walls. One professional told me not to use spray foam or foam insulated drywall in your basement!

If you are on the market to buy a home in Toronto ask your Realtor® if the area you are looking in is known to have termites. Ask the sellers if they have had a problem with termites. Maybe there is a termite inspection report. Knock on a few doors on the street you are hoping to buy a house and ask “have you ever heard of termite problems on this street.” Neighbours know all the juicy tidbits!! They really do! Always ask the neighbours.