Termites in Georgia
Would it sound strange if I were to tell you that termites did a lot of good in the Atlanta area? Well they do. They perform a service by helping with the decomposition and removal of excess cellulose materials, leaves and limbs, around our homes. The problem is they do not know where to stop. Once they find their way into a home, the home appears to them to be a buffet. For this reason it is important that we as homeowners do our part to keep them out of the house.
Subterranean Termites are the most common found in the Atlanta area. They live in colonies below ground. The colony is made up of a king and queen, who´s only purpose, is to reproduce the colony and workers whose job consist of feeding the colony.
Termites are the most common cause of structural damage in homes in the Atlanta area. Most often the damage that they do goes unnoticed until it is too late. The termites eat the materials from the inside and take the digested material back to the colony.
The two primary ways of preventing termites from entering your home are via a barrier system or a bait system. While both systems are adequate, the bait system has gained in popularity due to no drilling being required for application.
There are also two types of termite bonds available for your protection. A retreatment bond is just that. Should termites be found the, your provider would retreat to exterminate the termites. I recommend that you get protection from a repair and retreatment bond. The damage that termites can do to a home can result in a very expensive repair. For that reason it is best for you to be protected from maximum liability.
The Georgia Association of Realtors has recognized the importance of the damage that termites can do to a home and have incorporated language into two of the primary documents that are utilized for the purchase of a home. The seller´s property disclosure statement has a section that the seller fills out telling the buyer what type of bond they currently have on the home. The purchase and sale agreement has specific language regarding up-to-date termite letters and the time frames for an actual "Official Georgia Wood Infestation Report" to be delivered to a buyer when a binding agreement has been reached. Both of these forms, along with other forms, can be viewed by visiting the Sample Contracts and Forms page.
For more information about termites and termite prevention systems please visit the following providers:
