"Basement joist termites treated thoroughly."
We noticed soft spots in the basement ceiling joists. The inspector confirmed termite activity and treated the entire foundation area. They explained how the river valley humidity in Charleston contributes to termite pressure.
"Mountain cabin sealed against fall mice."
Our mountain cabin would fill with mice every autumn. The crew sealed the foundation and treated the perimeter. They explained that mountain properties near wooded areas need proactive sealing before the cold sets in.
"Porch carpenter ants gone with drainage fix."
Moisture from poor drainage had attracted carpenter ants to our porch framing. The tech treated the colony and recommended drainage fixes. Addressing the root cause of the moisture meant the ants didn't come back.
"South wall sealed against stink bugs."
Stink bugs would swarm our south-facing walls and find their way inside through every crack. The pro treated the exterior and sealed around windows. The number getting inside dropped to almost none.
"Porch columns treated and sealed."
Tapped the front porch column for paint prep and it sounded hollow. Pushed harder and the whole base crumbled. Sawdust everywhere. The tech treated the carpenter ant colony in the wood and pointed out where rain had been hitting unprotected end grain for years. We rebuilt the base, primed and painted properly, and have stayed clear since.
"Mountain cabin sealed for winter."
Every April we would open the cabin and find droppings on the kitchen counter and chewed bag corners in the pantry. My wife dreaded the spring trip. The tech walked the foundation, found gaps around the chimney chase and the utility entry that had never been sealed, and got monitoring stations in. This past April we walked into a clean kitchen. Felt like a fresh start.
"Rental cleared and protocol set up."
I manage a small duplex and the outgoing tenant mentioned bites. I checked behind the headboard and saw the dark spots along the seam. The heat crew brought the whole unit up to temperature and treated the closets too. Now I require a walkthrough inspection within the first week of every new lease.
"Shed sealed and wasp nests cleared."
Pulled the shed door open to grab the lawn mower one Saturday and a wasp came out, then another, then a dozen. I quietly closed that door and called for help. The tech treated the wall cavity, removed the nest, and caulked every gap he could see. He told me to do an early-spring walkthrough before the kids start poking around. Adding it to the calendar.
"Damp basement cleared and dehumidified."
Webs everywhere. I had to wave a broom in front of me before going down for laundry. The tech treated the whole basement, parged the worst foundation cracks, and recommended running a dehumidifier on a humidistat year-round. Once the moisture dropped the prey insects went away and so did the spiders. Cleaner space, drier air, and the laundry chore is no longer a horror movie.
"Unit cleared and penetrations sealed."
Saw one scurry under the fridge one night and I just stood there frozen. We are clean people. The tech pulled the fridge and dishwasher out, treated the cracks with gel bait, and sealed every pipe and electrical penetration that the neighbors were sending them through. Activity dropped fast. He told me a building-wide treatment is the only real fix long term.
"Firewood pile moved and ant trail ended."
Stacked a cord of firewood right against the back wall and within weeks ants were trailing across our living room ceiling. The tech walked the perimeter, took one look at the wood pile, and told me twenty feet minimum. We moved the stack out by the shed, treated the foundation, and the trails ended within a week. He was patient with my stupid question about whether the wood was the actual problem.
"Sunny window gaps sealed against stink bugs."
Vacuumed up a small army of stink bugs off the dining room curtains the second week of October every year. The smell when you crush one is something else. The tech caulked every window on the warm south side, treated the siding in late summer, and swapped two failing strips of weatherstripping. The number indoors this past fall was a fraction of what we used to see.
"Riverside yard enjoyable again."
Sitting on the back deck after dinner used to mean wearing long sleeves and bug spray and still slapping at our arms all night. The tech treated the yard perimeter and the brush line down by the river. Also flagged a clogged downspout splash zone that was breeding them right under the deck. Cleaned it out. Sitting outside is finally enjoyable again, even in late June.
"Foundation treated and monitoring installed."
The hardwood floor near the bay window felt spongy underfoot, and a closer look turned up mud tubes along the sill. The inspector pointed out moisture from a clogged downspout right above and treated the foundation. Three monitoring stations went in around the perimeter. We are checking them every quarter and have not seen new activity.
"Soffit sealed and attic raccoon-free."
Heard the heavy footsteps above the bedroom ceiling at four in the morning and I knew it was not a squirrel. The wildlife specialist found a soffit corner that had been pulled open and installed a one-way door. Once they were out, he closed it with metal flashing screwed to solid framing. The attic has been quiet for almost a year now. Sleeping well finally.