Termites cost U.S. homeowners more than $5 billion in damage every year — and most of that damage isn't covered by homeowner's insurance. Hampton Roads sits in one of the highest-risk termite zones in Virginia. The combination of warm temperatures, high humidity, and the clay-heavy, moisture-retaining soil throughout Newport News and the surrounding area creates near-ideal conditions for Eastern Subterranean termites year-round.
An annual termite inspection doesn't cost much. Catching active termites early — before they've compromised structural wood — saves thousands in repair costs. Here's why we recommend them for every homeowner in Hampton Roads, and what the inspection actually involves.
What Termites Do Before You Notice Them
Eastern Subterranean termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a thin outer shell intact. A colony can work inside a wall, floor joist, or support beam for years without producing any visible exterior sign. By the time you see hollow-sounding baseboards, blistered paint, or visible damage, the colony is usually well established and the structural impact is already significant. Annual inspections catch activity in the early stages — before the damage is extensive.
What a Professional Inspection Includes
A thorough termite inspection covers the interior of the home — particularly the basement or crawlspace, where subterranean termites enter — as well as the exterior foundation, any attached structures (decks, porches, garages), and the interior of the living space along baseboards and around door and window frames. We probe suspicious wood, look for mud tubes along foundation walls and piers, check for frass (termite excrement), and look for evidence of previous or active swarm activity. The inspection typically takes 45 minutes to an hour for an average-sized home.
The Documentation Has Value Beyond Protection
An annual inspection creates a paper record. If you sell your home, a clear inspection history is meaningful to buyers and their lenders — many mortgage types require a Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) inspection at closing. Having documentation that the property has been inspected annually, with no active infestations found, is a selling point. If an inspection does find activity, addressing it early and having that documented treatment on record is also better than discovering it mid-sale.
What We Recommend for Newport News and Hampton Roads Homeowners
Annual termite inspection for every homeowner, regardless of home age. Quarterly pest control that includes a visual termite check at each visit. For homes over 20 years old, or homes with prior termite activity, a termite monitoring system installed around the perimeter. We can walk you through what makes sense for your specific home and situation.