Buying a house is a major investment, so it’s only natural that you would invest in home insurance to protect yourself against threats like fire or flooding. But termites and other pests also pose a risk to your property. Here’s what you should know about termite control and your home insurance policy.

Is Termite-Related Damage Covered?

Generally speaking, most home insurance policies won’t cover termite or other pest-related damage because it typically takes several years to become a serious structural problem. In contrast, home insurance policies are designed to address “sudden or accidental” damage.

Pest control issues are also viewed as something that can be addressed and prevented by the homeowner with basic maintenance. The only situation when termite-related damage might be covered is if they sparked a fire by chewing through your electrical wires.

Termite Control Tips

To avoid shouldering the cost of damage yourself, you can use a variety of termite control methods. Caring for your yard is the simplest option for termite prevention. Ensure rainwater flows away from the foundation of your house, trim vegetation back from your walls, and remove dead tree stumps on your property to remove the food and water sources that might attract termites.

You can also get a pest control professional to apply termite treatment products to your property. Soil and wood treatments will kill termites before they cause too much damage. Placing bait stations in the soil in your yard will keep termites from getting to your house in the first place as well.

If you need help dealing with termites, contact Hilo Termite & Pest Control. Serving the Big Island of Hawaii since 1963, these termite control experts use cost-effective, environmentally friendly treatment options to ensure lasting results. To learn more about their services, visit them online or call (808) 935-8301.