Whether you’re a Pest/Termite Professional or Home Inspector using professional tools may enhance your results in many ways. While years ago infrared cameras were unique, new and costly, there are many options and much more affordable nowadays.
What is an IR Camera?
Actually, an infrared camera is really a thermometer. These thermal imaging devices measure the temperatures of the various surfaces that they’re aimed at and, through the magic of computer type processors, convert these many temperatures to visual images we can see during our inspections.
Generally speaking, the hotter the area being viewed the brighter it will appear. Simply stated, bright areas are hot and dark areas are cold. Mind you, the temperature difference in these bright and dark spots may be very small. This is so because the thermal imaging device is measuring these temperatures and comparing them in a relative manner when the viewable image is created.
For example, let’s say you’re conducting a termite inspection indoors and have your thermal imaging camera aimed at the exterior wall of the dining room. There, you’re seeing that the grand majority of the wall appears to be a uniform light grey type color on the screen of your device. This color is uniform across the wall except for a dark area at the top, right corner of a window.
This spot appears darker on the screen of your thermal imaging device because the temperature is lower than the surrounding area. However, depending upon the acuity of your device, the temperature of the dark spot is likely less than 1.0 degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius, depending upon your settings. While you wouldn’t be able to feel the temperature difference, the thermal imaging device can detect it and convert it to a visual image for you.
What do These Thermal Imaging Devices Show Us?
The simple truth is that thermal imaging devices do not show us termites or other insects. This is so because insects are cold blooded animals and their temperature is similar to the surrounding area such that the thermal imager sees them as the same temperature. As an example, we can direct our thermal imaging device at a group of Madagascar hissing cockroaches and not see them. Of course, these hissing cockroaches are hundreds of times larger than subterranean termites. So, if we can’t see the roaches with these infrared cameras, we’re not going to be able to see individual termites either.
While that may be disappointing to those of you who hoped that these thermal imaging devices may allow you to see hidden termites, this does not render these tools useless. The proper use of a thermal imaging device during an inspection can enhance our findings because it may be used to show us anomalies present within the structure which warrant further investigation.
See Hidden Anomalies !
Hidden anomalies that may be present in the structure which are detected via the use of a thermal imaging device indicate the location of a potential problem area which warrants further investigation. As per the dining room example discussed above, we used our thermal imaging device to detect a “cold spot” adjacent to the dining room window.
Now, we need to think: why are we seeing this? when the device shows us an anomaly such as this. Why would this particular area in the structure be colder than its surroundings? Conversely, if it were hotter, then why would it be hotter?
Here’s why; there’s something different about this area which causes it to have a different temperature. And, while this may seem obvious, it requires us to know or learn the various possible reasons for these anomalies we’re finding. As you likely know, years of field experience are irreplaceable and all of us continue to learn as we go. Some of the reasons we may have a cold or hot spot include but may not be limited to: a moisture leak, moisture source, damaged insulation, structural damage that affects the insulation performance of the area, vertebrate pest activity and others.
At this particular structure the reason there was a cold spot was due to moisture intrusion resulting from structural damage. As might be expected, the area where there was a moisture problem was detected by the thermal imaging device as being colder than the surrounding areas. When this area was opened via intrusive inspection techniques, Coptotermes formosanus subterranean termite activity was observed.
It is extremely important to note that the thermal imaging device did NOT detect the presence of termites in this situation. What it did detect was the moisture issue which, by happenstance, turned out to have been in the same area and possibly caused by these termites. Had there not been a moisture problem in this area, the thermal imaging device would not have detected an anomaly for us to investigate further.
Do Pest Pros Use Thermal Imaging Devices?
Yes, they do and for various reasons. Thermal imaging devices are excellent tools for use in vertebrate pest work. They’re able to see rodents and other such animals in complete darkness far better than using a flashlight alone.
If you’re serious about your structural inspection, rodent and vertebrate pest control work, you need to seriously consider the addition of a thermal imaging device to your tool kit.
Which Thermal Imaging Camera is Best?
Which IR Camera is best may become a subjective discussion and, of course, everyone is entitled to express their own opinions. However, the facts are the facts when considering these devices, their capabilities, their cost and other pertinent information to compare. Thankfully for all professionals, the price of these devices had dropped considerably and the various competing options has significantly grown as compared to years ago.
Entry level units that hot shoe to your smart phone are available for under two hundred dollars online. And, while these devices actually work, they are not recommended primarily because their internal battery life is far too short for professional use.
The existing price range for a decent unit now ranges from about four hundred dollars for an “off brand” up to over three thousand dollars for a nice Flir E8 type unit. Whichever unit you decide to purchase it’s best to make an informed decision and consider various comparable capabilities of the various units you’re selecting from. Some of these factors to consider include:
➢ Acuity or number of pixels which provide the resolution clarity of the image viewed.
➢ Size and weight of the unit.
➢ Battery life duration and requisite time to charge the internal battery.
➢ Durability of the unit under field conditions.
➢ Dust proof, water proof and drop proof.
➢ Software capabilities.
➢ Photo/video storage capabilities.
➢ Upload/download capabilities.
➢ Ease of use.
➢ Customer support and warranty.
➢ Price should be your last consideration.
There is no doubt that the Flir brand is the most popular but the competing brands are nipping at their heals now as numerous competing units are available. Additionally, Flir offers various units with similar capabilities such that the Flir units essentially compete with themselves. While the Flir E8 is a great unit currently available at about $2,900.00, there’s also the Flir C5 (the replacement unit for the Flir C3) which is a pocket-sized unit that provides decent capabilities for about $500.00.
As previously stated, it’s important to make an informed decision should you be looking to purchase one of these devices. Do you homework and get the best unit for your individual needs. Good luck to all, I hope this helped you !