Termite inspection in the GTA and Peel

Termites in the GTA

Eastern subterranean termites occur in parts of southern Ontario, including areas of the GTA. They live in soil and travel to wood through mud tubes, so activity may stay hidden until damage or swarmers appear.

Signs

• Mud tubes, pencil-width earthen tunnels on foundation walls, piers or joists.
• Swarmers, usually in spring, or discarded wings on window sills.
• Wood that sounds hollow with the paint still intact.
• Blistered or rippled paint and trim.
• Sagging or soft floors, sticking doors and windows.
• Damage that follows the grain and has soil in it. Carpenter ant galleries, by contrast, are smooth and clean.

What we inspect—and when we refer

We hold a Structural-class exterminator licence and can assess signs of wood-damaging insects. Termite treatment in Ontario requires the appropriate Termite-class licence, so we do not perform termite treatments.

If the findings indicate termites, you receive written findings, a plain-language explanation and a referral to an appropriately licensed termite specialist. If the activity is from carpenter ants, that falls within our service. See carpenter ant control.

Buying or selling a home?

If you are buying or selling, ask what type of wood-damaging-insect report your agent, lawyer, lender or insurer requires. We can explain the scope of our inspection and provide written findings.