• Termite inspectors can pick up on subtle signs of termites living in your home.termite mound image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  Termite and pest-control operators in Texas are licensed and regulated by the Structural Pest Control Service, part of the Texas Department of Agriculture. The Texas Administrative Code Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 7, Sub-chapter H, covers the regulations operators must follow in treating termite infestation.
  
  

Inspection

• Inspections for wood-destroying insects must be performed by a licensed, certified applicator or technician. The report should show whether or not termites are present in the building and provide the basis for preventative or remedial actions to be taken if necessary.
  
  The inspection must cover all accessible areas in the building. Areas such as inaccessible attics, behind furniture, or inside hollow walls are not required to be inspected by the operator.
  
  The report should contain address details, structure inspected, a diagram of the structure, approximate measurements, areas of current infestation or prior infestation, areas with potential to be infested and a list of inaccessible areas.
  
  Signs of termite activity such as termite tubes, exit holes, conditions conducive to termites and wood debris should be noted.
  
  The operator must inspect areas such as plumbing, flooring, crawl spaces, window and door frames, and kitchens and bathrooms.
  
  

Documentation

• The operator must provide the customer with Termite Treatment Disclosure Documents as part of a written estimate prior to beginning treatment. Each Disclosure must include a diagram and description of the structures to be treated, the address details, perimeter measurements, areas to be treated, areas of termite activity, a label for the pesticide used, signature of approval by a certified applicator on the diagram, concentration of pesticide or number of bait stations, description of type of treatment, a disclosure statement, a consumer information sheet, and a warranty, if any.
  
  

Termite Post Construction Treatments

• For underground termite post-construction treatments, the pest-control operator must use the pesticide according to labeled instructions. He must also abide by customer wishes in treating all or part of a structure.
  
  Treatment must adhere to the procedures outlined in the Termite Treatment Disclosure Documents. If not, an addendum to the contract must be added. After treatment, he must then place a sticker on the wall detailing his company's details along with method used, date treated, and a warning not to remove the sticker. The company must also retain copies of documentation for a period of two years.
  
  

Termite Pre-Construction Treatments

• The operator must adhere to the pesticide labeling instructions, treat the entire structure for a horizontal and vertical barrier if performing a full treatment, and notify the Texas Department of Agriculture 24 to 48 hours before treating any building other than a single-story family home.
  
  The operator must also perform the final treatment within 30 days of notification of completion of landscaping or within one year of construction completion date, whichever comes first. Documentation must be retained by the operator for at least two years.