Termites in Richmond

Termites in Richmond, Virginia are uniquely terrible when it comes to our homes. Their natural inclination is to stay underground or in dark areas. You will likely never see them until it is too late.  

In the wild, termites will burrow into fallen logs and feed on the wood as they go causing natural decomposition that the forests need to stay healthy.  Preferring to stay in warm, moist, and dark areas termites are rarely seen above ground.  

Primarily, they consume cellulose, which just so happens to be what the structure of most of our homes are made of. Unfortunately for us, the crawl spaces below our homes are typically warm, moist, and dark; the perfect environment for these critters want and need to emerge above ground.  

Surprisingly enough, termites are prone to dehydrating even in our extremely humid environment. When they come into our crawl spaces they build tubes made of mud up the walls of the crawl space to the wooden joists that hold the rest of our homes up.  Once they are in, they enjoy a 24-hour-a-day buffet, breaking down the structural supports of our homes.  

Okay, but don’t I have insurance to cover this? The most common answer is, “No.” Obviously read through your insurance clauses for your home, but we have found that the vast majority of policies for our clients do not cover termite damage found in the home.  Structural damage is one of the largest expenses we face as Real Estate Agents.  Replacing a joist can be thousands of dollars per joist and can crack drywall and cause leaks later on within the house.  

Fortunately for us they take a very long time to build these tubes and do any real damage.  However, when was the last time you went into your crawl space and looked around? I know for most of us, this is a very rare occurrence.  This is where termite companies come in to help us out.  We have been working with Pest Now for a number of years, and we suggest to our clients that they get them to come out and take a look at their property every year or every other year depending on the condition of their crawl space.  

It is a very inexpensive step to keep your crawl space happy and healthy.  If a pest company does find termites in your crawl space and catches it before they do any damage, the process to treat the termites only takes a couple of hours. The company will spray and set underground traps to keep the termites away from your property and typically includes a one-year warranty.  These companies also have yearly contracts that you can sign up for to eliminate the need to worry.  We have found that these are great ways to ensure nothing happens to your property.  

Watch the stairs. As dogs age and arthritis makes getting around more difficult, a ramp is a great solution for mobility ease. Dog ramps come in various styles and heights, and if you’re a DIYer, you can custom-build one to your exact specifications.

Decorate with leashes. Exercise is a key ingredient to your dog’s physical and mental well-being. A wall-mounted pet organizer that holds your dog’s collar, leash, doggie bags, treats and other items will keep necessities tidy and within arm’s reach, and can offer a nice decoration in your home.

Tips for home construction. If you’re planning your home with your pets in mind, go with flooring material that’ll clean easily, withstand scratches, and provide decent traction. Carpets are more challenging to keep clean, especially light-colored rugs since they trap pet hair, dander, allergens and dirt.

Kennel run or exercise pen. Inevitably, there are times when your dog needs to be safely contained – during an open house, for example. Having a safe containment area that your dog enjoys and is familiar with is an invaluable feature in your dog’s home.

All about the fence. A fenced-in yard is essential for dog owners. Your fence should be sturdy, at least 6 feet tall and escape-proof. Fence styles and budgets may vary, but it’s widely recommended to have a solid fence. Solid fences can reduce barrier frustration, alarm barking, and will keep outside animals from coming into your yard.

Remove all hazards. Inspect your home and yard for potential dangers to your dog that could result in choking, strangulation, electrocution, suffocation or poisoning. These can be even more common during home renovations, so always double-check the home and yard during and after repairs and remodels.

Other things to tend to year-round include shortening window cords, covering wires, securing loose boards, hammering down nail heads, and restricting access to areas that harbor poisonous items, such as the garage, cupboards and under the sink.

Landscaping for your pet. Identify which indoor and outdoor plants are toxic to dogs. Fertilizers and insecticides are hazards and commonly factor into toxic reactions in dogs. There are many resources available online which list the most frequently encountered poisonous plants and products.