Termite Inspection – Identifying and Stopping a Termite Infestation

Why Is Termite Inspection and Treatment So Important?

In 2019, a report named Los Angeles as the 2nd highest city for termites in the United States, following Miami. San Diego was named #11. Many of the cities on the list of 50 were coastal cities with a warm and humid climate. Termites are a serious problem for homeowners. Although you aren’t required to get termite inspections in Temecula before buying a home, most lenders require one to get the mortgage. In Southern California, there are two types of termites that can cause damage, subterranean and drywood. Orkin estimates that termite damage can cost a homeowner an average of $3,000 for repairs.

How Do You Know If You Have Termites?

Termites can hide in your walls creating damage long before you may actually notice them. Most homeowners don’t recognize termites unless they see a swarm or until they start to do a remodeling project and pull out walls. Termite swarms can be mistaken for ant swarms, making them even harder to detect. The most common signs of termite damage include:

• Evidence of termites, such as termite wings near your windows or doors.
• Hollowed wood with long grooves that might look like a honeycomb.
• Wood flooring that appears to have water damage or blisters.
• Mud tubes near the ground where it meets your home.
• Termite droppings that look like sawdust or ground coffee.

How Do You Stop Termite Damage?

If you have termite damage, professional pest control can treat the structure to prevent further damage. To keep your home termite-free, you should take some preventative measures to make your home less attractive to insects. Exposed wood can be treated with a sealant to prevent infestations. Annual home inspections in Temecula can ensure that you don’t have a colony trying to become established. Professionals who know how to find the early signs of termites can help you spot places where termites might move in.

Don’t store firewood next to your home. Termites are attracted to wood. If you have trees or shrubs next to your home, keep the limbs trimmed back so they don’t grow against other wood structures. Don’t block vents with plants or other barriers. Perform annual maintenance to reduce the openings that let termites into your home. Fill in cracks in the foundation and close off any openings through the wall like where utilities come in. Keep the soil around your foundation dry. Termites are attracted to moisture, too.

Treating Termites

According to the EPA, “many termiticides are highly toxic.” Professional pest management is recommended to ensure safety and to maximize the effectiveness. There are many types of treatments, but what you use may depend on the extent of the infestation and type of termite.

Termite Inspections in Temecula, San Diego and Northern California

Protect your home with termite inspections from Temecula and San Diego up to San Jose and Livermore in Northern California. Contact HomeGuard Incorporated for all types of inspections including termite, home, and roof inspections to give you peace of mind that your home is pest-free.