When buying a home, a termite inspection is a must before closing the purchase. So make sure to include a provision for such inspection in your home-purchase agreement.

Here are some questions you ought to address about termite inspections:

• Why is a termite inspection necessary?
  A termite inspection before purchase of a property ensures the property is free of visible termite infestation and damage.

• What does a termite inspection entail?
  A termite inspection entails a visual inspection of a home for existence of wood-destroying insects (WDI) and wood-destroying organisms (WDO).
• By whom is it done?
  It is done by a qualified independent inspector or a termite inspection firm.
• How long does a termite inspection take?
  An average termite inspection takes 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending upon size of property, areas of active prevalence and extent of damage.
• Is termite inspection included within the cost of general home inspection?
  No. A Termite inspection is an additional inspection,
  requisitioned by the home buyer.
• What organisms does termite inspection cover?
  The infestations covered depend on the State and local Code.
  Minimal coverage is of termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees
  and re-infesting wood-boring beetles.
• Can there be hidden termite damage?
  Yes! Termites may remain undetected within wood products or
  underground. A visual inspection may not always reveal hidden
  termite presence.
• Old vs new termite evidence?
  Presence of damaged woods and shelter tubes indicate termites.
  Termite activity within these, indicate new termite presence.
• Where to begin termite inspection?
  Begin termite inspection in the yard outside the house. Next, is
  inside the house; starting with the basement. The attic is also
  checked, particularly in the eaves area.
• How to ascertain whether previous treatment was done?
  This can be established by checking for termite treatment holes.
  The city records will also reveal if any termite treatment was
  done.
• Best period for termite inspections?
  Warmer temperatures and rainfall induce increased activity of
  winged termites. So termite inspection is best done in spring,
  when they are more visible.
• How to know if a property is termite infested?
  Outdoor inspection is done by checking movable wood lying on
  ground, tree stumps, barks of trees and foundation walls. Indoor
  infestation is checked on walls, behind obstructions or
  insulations, and beneath floor coverings or paneling.