Question for homeowners - How often do you have a termite inspection? We had an inspection a few years ago. Wouldn't one see evidence of termites if they exist?
I know I've already addressed this, but if you live in an area where termites are, NO, you don't see them until the damage is already in process. Seriously, if you see sawdust, trust me, the termites are winning and you're already losing.
When I lived in Hawaii, I lived in a townhouse. I
thought I was paying for the home owners' association to take care of this stuff. But had to pay an extra fee to have the place tented and fumigated. Husband and I both worked more-than-full-time, and hadn't noticed that a tree in our yard was "rotting", but it wasn't rot, it was termites.
In Florida, we had a house built, and following my parents' advice, took out termite insurance with a local exterminator. A friend bought a house and did not do that. When she went to sell the house she found that they had serious termite damage. Every wooden part of their house was deteriorating.
No, you don't always see it, and when you do, sometimes it is just too darned late.
I don't live in a place where it is a great danger. Thank heaven.