Inspections from Arrow Exterminators

Arrow Exterminators, Inc. is the company of choice for quality wood infestation report inspections for real estate transactions. Arrow Exterminators, Inc. is a locally owned company and has been operated by the same family for over 60 years. We are proud of the reputation we have attained and want to maintain that high standard and reputation within the community for honest work and committed customer service. Real estate inspections have played a major role in our business growth. We know that communication, along with prompt, professional service, is the key to our success as well as yours. For your next real estate transaction give us a try and you’ll see why we are simply the best in the business! At Arrow Exterminators we are always, “Aiming to Please.”

Pioneers In Our Industry

We were one of the first companies to offer real estate termite inspections for homes and businesses in Oklahoma nearly 60 years ago. Since then we have continually been leading the way in Oklahoma commercial and residential pest inspections and pest control by introducing new methods and being the first to jump on the newest, cutting-edge pest control technologies, whether it be Thermal Remediation® technology to eliminate bed bugs or The Sentricon® System to eradicate termite colonies.

Now, we are the first pest control company to offer “Instant Photo Documentation” of wood destroying insects and organism damage at no additional cost. We were the first pest control company to include this as part of our standard inspection to make it easier for home sellers and homebuyers alike to be aware of and proactive about any potentially damaging insects or organisms on their property. See our services page for a full listing of all the pest control services we provide to Oklahoma homes and businesses and the state-of-the-art treatments we make available to our customers.

Wood Infestation Reports Q&A

Q. Why Get an Inspection?

A. Every year millions of homes are attacked by termites and other wood destroying insects. Home buyers need to be aware of the possible presence of these damaging insects before investing in a property. This is especially true in Oklahoma, where subterranean termites are extremely prevalent and devastating. In the Tulsa metro area alone, 35 percent of single family homes have sustained termite damage that required repairs. Often, repairs for termite damage are paid out of pocket because homeowner’s insurance rarely ever covers termite damage. And the average cost of termite damage repairs is $3,000 per home. Your home is likely the largest investment you will ever make. You don’t want to put so much of your hard-earned money into it only to learn that some tiny bugs have been eating away at it, costing you even more money and decreasing the value of your investment. A termite inspection can help ensure that your home stays safe and sound and free from termite damage. Make sure you are present for the entire inspection so you can ask questions and see any areas of damage that your Arrow Exterminators technician does find.

Q. Is the Report for Termites Only?

A. No. Termites are the number one wood-destroying pest in the United States, hence its name is often attached to the so-called “Termite Report.” However, there are many other wood-destroying insects that are included in the report including, but not limited to:

• Carpenter Ants – Carpenter ants vary somewhat in color (although most of them tend to be a light red or burnt orange color), but they are easily recognizable by their size. These ants are the giants of the ant family and are by far the largest ants found in North America. Carpenter ants are extremely destructive little pests, burrowing deep into the wood of homes, businesses and all sorts of other structures to make their nests and look for food. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood; they chew through it to make pathways for themselves and the rest of their colony. They primarily eat other insects and plant juices. However, just because they don’t eat wood doesn’t mean they aren’t incredibly destructive. A carpenter ant infestation can be incredibly damaging to your home and extremely expensive to fix.
• Carpenter Bees – male Carpenter bees have no stingers and female Carpenter bees rarely if ever attack, but that’s not what worries homeowners about these little buzzing pests. Like Carpenter ants, they nest in wood and will drill their way through most woods to prepare a nest for themselves. They can significantly weaken important structural components through the holes they make, not to mention that these holes are not very attractive to look at. These large black and yellow insects look a lot like overgrown bumblebees except that their abdomen is shiny and black, whereas a bumblebee’s would be fuzzy and yellow. While Carpenter bees general prefer softer, unpainted woods, they can be damaging for homes with any kind of wood. If you do have Carpenter bees, it is important to have them relocated, rather than exterminated if possible as they are generally beneficial pollinators.
• Old House Borers – these pests are a brownish-black color and generally about 5/8″ to 1″ long. Contrary to their name, “Old House Borers” most often attach themselves to newer homes between four and seven years old. However, they can be found in homes older or newer than that range as well. Infestations of Old House Borers usually originate in the timber used to build a home and as the insects come to maturity they tunnel their way out of the wood causing damage to the structure. These damaging effects can be compounded in areas where there is a great deal of moisture in the wood (such as with a leaky roof, leaky pipes or poor ventilation).
• Powder Post Beetles – this term refers to a family of pests which are very small, around 1/8″ long and reddish-brown in color. However, don’t let their miniscule size fool you. This group of pests can be one of the most destructive of any of the wood-destroying pests. They are also one of the hardest to identify, which makes them even more of a problem for many homeowners. Their larvae attack both soft and hard woods, and some types of this bug also prefer to attack damp wood (leaky roof, leaky pipes or poorly ventilated areas which could dampen structural timbers). As the larvae burrow into the wood to feed they create winding tunnels throughout the wood. As they work their way through our structural timbers, they essentially reduce the wood to a powder, severely weakening the structure and causing extensive damage.

Q. What does the inspection entail?

A. A licensed Arrow Exterminators professional will perform the entire inspection. They will inspect all visual areas of the structure which are readily accessible to them. The technician will be looking for any visible evidence of an infestation including actual termites, mud tubes that termites travel through, indications of wood damage or other signs of termites like shed termite wings and termite droppings. However, the inspector cannot see into walls or under carpet, so there is the possibility an infestation may remain undetected. Termite damage is often very difficult to spot before it becomes overwhelming and devastating to a structure. If a visual infestation or damage is detected, proper control and repair measures will be reported and recommended to you on the appropriate form. An inspection report does not guarantee the absence of infestation or damage.