Termite Damage: Can You Insure Your Home?

Termites can cause billions of dollars in property damage each year, and these costs are generally not covered by homeowners insurance. However, some insurance policies may cover damage caused by termites, so it is important to review your insurance policy before making any repairs. If you live in an area with a high probability of termite infestation, such as California, Florida, or Louisiana, it is especially important to be aware of the signs of termite damage and to take preventative measures to protect your home. Even if you successfully eliminate an infestation, you will need to remain vigilant as termites can reinfest a home.

Termite damage may be covered by insurance

Termite damage is generally not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. However, there are some circumstances in which termite damage may be covered by insurance.

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover risks and damage that are accidental and sudden. Termites are not typically considered a sudden phenomenon, as they can live in a home and cause damage for years before being discovered. Additionally, termite infestations are usually considered preventable with homeowner diligence.

However, there are a few specific situations in which termite damage may be covered by homeowners insurance:

• Sudden house collapse: If termites cause your home to suddenly collapse, you may be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. However, this typically only applies if the house completely collapses and falls into pieces, rather than minor damage such as cracking or sagging. It must also be proven that the termites were hidden and caused the damage without the homeowner's prior knowledge.
• Covered risk or peril: If a covered risk or peril, such as water damage from a pipe leak, fire, tornadoes, or wind damage, causes the termite infestation, your insurance policy may cover the damage. For example, if strong winds rip shingles from your roof, leading to a termite infestation, you can file a claim for the roof damage and report the termites as soon as they are found.
• Fire damage: If termites gnaw through wiring that starts a fire, homeowners insurance may cover the fire-damaged items.

It is important to note that the specifics of what is covered and the policy limits vary, and there may be caps on how much insurers will pay out for damage to personal possessions. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with a professional to determine the validity of a claim and review the details of your insurance policy.

Signs of termite damage

Termites can cause extensive damage to your home, and often, by the time you notice signs of an infestation, your home has already sustained damage. Here are some signs of termite damage to look out for:

Mud Tunnels/Shelter Tubes

Subterranean termites create mud tunnels or tubes to connect them to their food sources. These can be found on tree trunks, around your porch, or even in attic ceilings. Mud tubes can also be found where the ground meets your house or any other possible food source, like a tree or shed. These tunnels help to block out cool, dry air, creating an environment in which the termites can thrive.

Tiny Holes in Wood

Before extensive damage occurs, you may notice small issues with the wood around your house. Look for tiny holes, which may resemble pinholes, in the wood. These are caused by termites chewing through the wood to remove cellulose.

Termite Droppings

Drywood termite droppings, or frass, often look like wood sawdust. You may find small mounds of pellets, resembling sawdust or coffee grounds, on window sills or floors, indicating the presence of drywood termites.

Broken Wings

Termites can swarm and fly from one area to another. Once they land and start working on the wood, their wings fall off. You may notice piles of discarded wings, especially on windowsills.

Structural Damage

Termite damage can cause issues with the structural integrity of your home. This includes sagging floors, ceilings, or roofs, as well as bowing sidewalls. Termites can eat through support beams, causing them to buckle and compromising the overall structure.

Hard to Open Doors and Windows

When termites damage the wood in your home, it can cause doors and windows to become stuck or difficult to open and close properly.

Bubbling Paint or Wallpaper

Termites can leave behind small trails on the surface of and inside drywall, resulting in bubbling paint or wallpaper. You may also notice pin-sized holes in these areas.

Squeaky or Buckling Floorboards

Termite damage can cause floorboards to buckle and blister, resulting in excessive noise when walking on them.

Damaged Drywall

Drywall contains cellulose, a termite's primary food source. Termites can leave small trails and pin-sized holes in drywall, similar to those found in wallpaper.

Hollow-Sounding Wood

Termites hollow out wood from the inside, causing it to sound empty when tapped. This is a sign that the wood has been structurally weakened.

It is important to be vigilant and proactive in inspecting your home for these signs of termite damage. Early detection can help prevent extensive and costly repairs.

How to treat termite damage

Termite infestations can be difficult to spot, but they can cause significant damage to your home. The first step in treating termite damage is to identify and confirm the presence of termites. This can be done by inspecting any wood you suspect may be infested and looking for signs such as mud tunnels, tiny holes, droppings, and broken wings. Once you have confirmed a termite infestation, you should contact a professional pest control company to help you eradicate the termites and prevent further damage.

There are several professional termite treatment options available, depending on the severity of the infestation and the type of termites involved. Here are some common treatment methods:

• Fumigation: This method involves placing tarps over the infested area and dispersing fumigants that penetrate timber, trim, and wood-finished furniture, ultimately eliminating the termites. While effective, fumigation is typically one of the most expensive pest control treatments and requires occupants to temporarily vacate the premises.
• Heat treatment: Heat treatment is a common alternative to fumigation, where hot air is pumped into the affected area to kill the termites. This process is generally safer and cheaper than fumigation but requires the removal of heat-sensitive items from the premises.
• Cold treatment: Cold treatment uses liquid nitrogen to lower the temperature to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, effectively killing the termites. This method has similar risks and costs to heat treatment but takes longer to complete.
• Liquid termite treatment: Liquid termite treatments, such as Taurus SC and Termidor SC, are applied to the exterior perimeter of your home to create a barrier that termites cannot detect or avoid. These treatments can also be applied directly to infested areas by drilling into the affected wood.
• Direct chemicals: Direct chemicals can be used inside your home to target specific termite hiding places, such as cracks, voids, and crevices. Foaming insecticides, like Termidor Foam, are odourless and expand to fill these spaces before evaporating, leaving behind a residue that poisons termites.
• Termite baits: Termite baits are placed around the perimeter of your home's foundation and attract foraging termites to a slow-acting poison. One type of bait interrupts the termites' natural growth process, killing them as they try to molt. The infected termites then carry the insecticide back to the colony, infecting other termites.
• Beneficial Nematodes: Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic, segmented roundworms that are natural parasites to termites. They burrow into their host and release bacteria that poison the termite's blood, leading to death within a few days.

In addition to these treatment methods, it is important to take preventive measures to avoid future infestations. This includes regularly inspecting your home for signs of termites, reducing moisture around the foundation, filling in cracks and crevices, and avoiding stacking firewood or other cellulose materials against your house.

Preventing future infestations

Now that you've dealt with the infestation, it's time to focus on preventing termites from returning. Here are some detailed and instructive steps to help you protect your home from future termite infestations:

• Eliminate wood-to-ground contact: Termites often enter homes when wood components are in direct contact with the soil. Remove any lumber, wood, or other cellulose-based materials from around the foundation. Ensure that wooden siding, door and window frames, and other wood elements are at least six inches above ground level.
• Address moisture issues: Termites are attracted to moisture, so it's important to divert water away from your home's foundation. Ensure that gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks are functioning properly, and repair any leaking faucets, pipes, or air conditioning units. Grade the ground next to the foundation to ensure proper drainage.
• Reduce moisture in crawl spaces: Install vents and vapour barriers to reduce moisture accumulation. Keep vents free of leaves, dirt, and debris.
• Properly store firewood: Never store firewood or wood debris against foundations or inside crawl spaces. Stack firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and raise it at least 8 inches off the ground.
• Use mulch sparingly: Termites are attracted to mulch because of its moisture-retaining properties. If using mulch, apply it sparingly and maintain a 4-inch barrier between the mulch and your home.
• Keep plants trimmed: Trim shrubbery near your home to allow at least 12 inches between the shrubbery and the exterior wall. This improves airflow, helping damp areas dry quicker and making it easier to spot termite tubes and damage.
• Keep your home's exterior well-maintained: Seal any gaps or cracks in the exterior of your home, especially around water and gas lines. Patch any cracks in the foundation with cement or a concrete patching compound.
• Regular inspections: Schedule regular, typically annual, termite inspections with a qualified expert. They can help identify early signs of infestation and locate potential points of access for termites.
• Treat wood: Consider treating wood with termiticide to make it unattractive to termites. You can also use termite-proof paint or stain to protect wooden fences and other structures.
• Remove dead trees and rotting wood: Dead trees and rotting wood can attract termites, so it's important to remove them from your property.
• Be cautious with paper products: Avoid leaving cardboard boxes, newspapers, and other paper products around your home for extended periods. Recycle or store important papers on upper levels of your home.

The financial implications of termite damage

Termites can cause extensive and costly damage to homes, affecting around 600,000 homes in the US each year. The financial implications of termite damage can be significant, with the average cost of repairing termite damage in a residential home ranging from $550 to $3,000. However, in more severe cases, particularly those involving structural damage, repair costs can soar, potentially reaching up to $28,875.

The cost of repairing termite damage depends on several factors, including the extent of the infestation, the type of damage, the location and accessibility of the infestation, and the home's construction. Small-scale damage, such as replacing damaged boards and cosmetic fixes, typically costs between $250 and $1,000. Medium-scale damage, which impacts non-structural elements like floors, walls, or framing, usually falls between $1,000 and $3,000. Severe damage, including replacing critical structural components like beams and walls, can range from $3,000 to $8,000.

The type of termite and the size of the colony also play a role in determining the cost of repairs. More aggressive and destructive species, such as Formosan termites and conehead termites, can cause severe damage in a relatively short time. Larger colonies can inflict more damage over a broader area, leading to higher repair costs. Early detection and treatment are crucial in limiting the size of the colony and the scale of damage.

In addition to the direct costs of repairing termite damage, there are also indirect costs associated with termite control and prevention. This includes the cost of hiring a termite exterminator, which can vary depending on the type of treatment employed, with costs ranging from $275 to $863 on average. Preventative measures, such as regular inspections and annual contracts, can also add up, but they are crucial in avoiding the costly repairs associated with termite damage.

The financial impact of termite damage can be mitigated by early detection and proactive prevention measures. Homeowners should be vigilant in identifying the signs of termite infestation, such as mud tunnels, tiny holes in wood, droppings resembling wood sawdust, and broken wings. Regular inspections by a professional termite inspector are also recommended to catch any issues before they become more extensive and costly.

Frequently asked questions