According to PestAway president Jonathan David, figuring out the current condition of one’s house has now become faster, for both his company and the client. "HomeSafe Inspection was developed at the US Department of Agriculture Funded, National Center for Physical Accoustics in Mississippi. It was designed to be an efficient and harmless way to detect different house problems. In the US, when you buy a house, it’s mandated by law, that there should be a ‘wood-destroying insect report.’ The inspector certifies that there are no termites. At the same time, he’ll report problems like leaks and defects. The equipment is composed of an infrared camera, which directly and quickly scans the house for suspicious spots. These spots are then scanned with a moisture meter, which identifies either termites or leaks. To determine if its termites, an acoustic sensor is used on the area.
David elaborated that certain potential problems that aren’t seen through ordinary means can now be safely distinguished. "We’re now putting more science into the art of termite inspection, using the HomeSafe tools. It was developed by HomeSafe Inspection Mississippi to provide a "clearer picture" to the homeowner. I first saw the technology in Singapore . I read about it, wrote the company, they responded, and we came to an agreement."
He added that certain protocols had to be followed for a better understanding of the readings, and that he and the inspectors needed to learn these new procedures. "Four of us went to Mississippi to train in the proper use of the equipment for a week. We had to learn how to analyze infrared images and studied sounds created by different species of termites."
David explained the benefits of enlisting this new system of detection: "The inspection won’t just be the traditional and limited ways like ocular checks, and the wood-knocking method anymore. For treatment purposes, we’ll know if there are surviving termites or rodents. It can help out the homeowner by also identifying hotspots, electrical overloads that can cause fires. HomeSafe can compliment our current treatment procedures. There’s more accuracy; it’s easier to pinpoint the live pests. It’s non-invasive, meaning we don’t puncture the wooden surface to look for them. The infrared camera will look through wooden walls for you. It marks a difference in temperature on the surface. Cold spots, caused by the water, could be brought by termites or leaks will stand out."