Whether or not you buy the house with powderpost beetle infestation will largely be influenced by your perception of the problem.
In other words, there are times when a buyer might still purchase a home despite an existing pest problem.
Under such circumstances, the buyer either understands that the pest problem can be managed or has no idea about its existence at all.
Should I Buy A House With Powder Post Beetles?
When making decisions to buy a property, a lot of considerations are made.
These include its position on the lot, location, the property’s condition, its long-term value, as well as the character of the neighborhood among others.
Of more importance to our discussion is the condition of the house.
The condition could mean a lot of things including whether or not it has an existing pest problem. You want to have thorough knowledge about the home’s condition before making a purchase.
There are times when a property being advertised for sale might have an existing pest problem.
Powderpost Beetles and Structural Damage
Similar to termites, powderpost beetles cause damage to wooden components of structures including furniture.
For many homeowners, termites will easily rank among the most feared pest problems due to the costly damage they cause. It’s easy to see why powderpost beetle problems will cause concern for any property owner.
Household beetles may not cause damage on the same scale that termites do, but they’re still a cause for concern as their damage can be significant.
Powderpost beetles feed on both hardwoods and softwoods.
Hardwoods like hickory, oak, bamboo, ash, and walnuts are easy targets. Pine is among several softwood types targeted by these pests.
Adult powderpost beetles themselves do not feed on wood. The eggs they lay in wood cracks and spaces hatch into larvae. These powderpost beetle larvae carry out all the damage.
They eat and burrow through wood and only exit when fully matured.
Questions to Ask Before Buying
Can powder post beetles destroy a house?
Before buying a house with powderpost beetles, you need to be fully aware of the extent of the problem. This determines whether the property is worth buying or not.
First off, you want to determine whether you want to deal with or take possession of an already problematic property.
Secondly, it’s important to find out whether the problem is manageable.
Thirdly, is there an active infestation?
These questions are important because they direct you towards underlying problems.
You’re able to better analyze whether you want to go ahead with the purchase or not.
-
Is the House Worth Buying?
The first question has to do with whether or not you want to take ownership of a problematic property.
Is that the only option available? Most times, knowing the questions to ask and finding answers to the points you toward the right thing to do.
Is the properly the only option you have? What other options are there?
If powderpost beetle infestation isn’t severe, then you can overlook the problem to carry out proper treatment after buying it.
In the course of the renovation, infested or affected wood can be replaced.
The property may be sold cheap and will need to be renovated. If renovation increases its value significantly, then buying a powderpost beetle-infested property won’t be a bad idea.
This is because you have things figured out in terms of the measures to take after ownership.
-
Is the Problem Manageable?
Your decision on whether to buy a powderpost beetle-infested house or not will be influenced by the condition of the property. You want to know the degree of infestation to determine whether the purchase is still a great deal or not.
Existing powderpost beetle infestations may be confined to a localized. In other words, the problem may not be widespread and may only be found in one part of the structure.
In such situations, powderpost beetle infestation can be deemed to be manageable.
There are times when the damage or infestation may be severe. At such levels, you stand to lose more by buying the house than by not buying it at all.
To find out the true extent of damage and the accruable cost of fixing the problem, you might want to have or call for a professional evaluation.
-
Is there an Active Infestation?
Not all powderpost pest problems are active. Certain infestations might be dormant or inactive. If prior damage was done wasn’t as severe, then buying the house won’t be a bad idea.
In a case where the infestation is an active one, your best bet will be to look elsewhere. You’re likely to find other properties on sale without a powderpost beetle problem.
It’s easy to make out powderpost infestations by looking out for exit holes used by adult beetles to exit the wood. While this is true, the infestation might not be an active one.
When you take a closer look, you’re unlikely to so see frass scattered around such holes.
To be sure about the state of infestation, it’s best to call for a professional inspection.
Results from such inspection will help determine whether it’s wise to proceed with the purchase of the property (in the case of inactive infestation) or whether to pass up the opportunity.
Passing up the opportunity will be more common when an active infestation.
How Much Will Treatment Cost?
Before you ever make up your mind to buy a powderpost-infested house, you should determine the cost of treatment.
Knowing the cost of getting rid of powderpost beetles enables you to know whether the purchase or deal is worth the risk.
In cases of severe infestation where replacement of certain wooden components is necessary, such may attract more repair fees. Most buyers only want to renovate less problematic homes.
There shouldn’t be a lot of expensive fixes, thus making the buyer incur further losses.
You want to only buy a powderpost-infested home with minimal infestation levels. Such won’t take up or require a lot of additional capital.
Seek Professional Advice
If you must buy a house with powderpost beetle problems, then such decisions must be well taken. One of the ways to get the best deal is by speaking with a pro.
Such could include pest control technicians or property valuers.
With all the tips provided above, you should be able to make informed decisions when it comes to buying a house with powderpost beetles.