Homeowners with problems caused by termites or other pests should take care of dangerous construction defects before focusing on their extermination options.

Q: While doing some home repairs, I discovered some termite damage in the beams that hold up my home’s roof. I then hired a termite company to perform an inspection, and it says that the infestation is very serious.

The company’s report suggests that I hire a contractor to repair the damage and then have the home “tented” to exterminate the pests, but a friend says that paying for a full-blown extermination would be a waste of money because the insects will move back into my home after the poison wears off. What do you think I should do? Also, what type of termite-extermination process works best?

A: The first thing you should do is follow the termite company’s advice by calling a few professional construction contractors and asking them to assess the damage that the termites have caused to your home’s roof, beams and related components. Also ask them for a written quote for repairs.

If the roofing system’s problems are indeed severe, hire the contractor you trust most and have the work begun soon. Termites and other wood-eating pests work very slowly, but a roof that’s weakened by their long-term damage can start leaking at any time – thus creating all sorts of other dangerous problems, including mold – or might even collapse.

After any urgently needed repair work is done, you then can start thinking about your pest-extermination problems.

Companies use different methods to kill termites and other pests. Some throw a tent over the house and then gas it with poison, while others try to “freeze” the bugs to death or kill them by injecting parts of the house with various oils that are toxic to certain types of species.

The authoritative National Pesticide Information Center says that regardless of which option you choose, a job that’s properly done by the extermination company will keep your home protected from termites for about five years.

The information center is operated jointly by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and researchers at Oregon State University. It has a terrific Internet site, www.npic.orst.edu, which has all sorts of information about termites and other pests, and will even provide free answers to individuals who call the group at (800) 858-7378.

Q: What is “clear lumber”?

A: It’s wood that’s “clear” of knots and other natural defects. Most clear lumber is used to make furniture and cabinets, rather than being used in the framing of a home that will be covered with drywall.