In the late 90s, we experienced a home invasion of sorts when we lived in Katy, TX (west Houston), and in 2001 our very new home in NW Houston also experienced a similar problem. The most recent home invasion I was made aware of --was my clients' vacant property in Coles Crossing.
Is crime that bad in the area? NO. However, our soil contains numerous tiny insects that LOVE to munch on wood, and if conditions are ripe around your home--they will invade your space as well. Subterranean termites often manifest their presence in the spring, however my Coles Crossing listing did not show signs of termite activity until August--and the weather was amazingly DRY! Our first clue was the paint seemed to "bubble" ever so slightly on the window sill. A curious prospective buyer or buyer's agent poked the place and sure enough--rotted wood.
Pest control man #2 found the source! The sneaky termites built a trail behind the gutter on the corner of the home and then through a weep hole.
Termites do not need much cover to conduct their covert operations! Our first home in Katy had a wall of ivy on the front. Beautiful, but a haven for termites. Our second home in Houston had very minimal landscaping, but the builders had left a little strip of plastic tarp close to the ground when attaching the hardiplank. The termites built their tunnel up the back of this tiny .3 inch piece of plastic and began coming through pinholes made in the sheetrock.
So, check around the perimeter of your home on a regular basis to make sure you do not see any tunnels under construction! Check behind gutters, too, and hopefully you will not have to treat for these pesky insects!
SONJA PATTERSON with RE/MAX Realty Center, 12810 Telge Rd. Cypress, TX 77429
713.303.9463 www.har.com/SPatterson sonja.patterson@sbcglobal.net
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