Earth Guard's Blog

By Dave Picton

The Termite Institute, an informative online resource created by the makers of Termidor® termiticide, offers a U.S. map depicting termite “hot zones.” Most of the state of California is depicted on that map in hot orange, indicating “high homeowner risk” for termite infestation, according to the map key.

In our Sacramento pest control region, the most common type of termite is the Western Subterranean Termite, an insect that also holds the title of most destructive termite in California, according to the University of California Statewide IPM Program.

Now that warm, sunny days have arrived, it’s increasingly likely that homeowners may see termite swarms. Often, the visible swarm is the first evidence the homeowner has that he or she has a termite problem. But just because you don’t see a swarm doesn’t mean you don’t have termites.

In fact, the Western Subterranean Termite swarms only after a colony has been established for four years or more. The damage the termites cause to your home or commercial building occurs year-round, not just when you can see the swarmers. These termites can get into your building through cracks smaller than 1/16th of an inch large and can even come up through tiny fissures in the concrete slab. This type of termite needs moisture and contact with the soil. It builds tunnels of mud and sawdust or wallboard fragments, and sometimes you can spot the tunnels running up the side of your foundation.

Although the Western Subterranean termite is most common, there are several other types of termites that may infest our Sacramento-region homes, including the Nevada Dampwood Termite, which can occur in our Sierra foothill and mountainous areas. Drywood termites are more common in Southern California but also can occur in our Sacramento Valley environments.

Termite treatment and damage repair is a $5 billion problem in the United States. The best way to determine whether your home or commercial property is at risk for termite infestation or damage is to consult a licensed pest control professional. For more information about California termites, see our March 2010 article. Or call us at 916-457-7605 to schedule an inspection by our Sacramento termite pest control experts!

Western Subterranean Termite Colony

When it comes to termites, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Termites are just as damaging as they ever were, and in some parts of the country (including the San Diego area), new species, such as the Formosan termite, have arrived from other parts of the world to voraciously attack homes and properties.

A few years back, when the real estate market was booming, a lot of homeowners and business owners in our Sacramento pest control region didn’t worry much about termites; they figured by the time any damage was done, they’d have traded up to a newer or larger home or commercial property. These days the real estate market is a lot slower, and many of us are stepping back and planning to stay put for a few  years. This means it is more critical than ever that we maintain and protect our existing properties… so that when the economy does turn around, and the time is right to make a move, we haven’t lost value due to negligence or damage.

The most effective way to protect your property is prevention. Our Sacramento pest control company encourages our customers to invest a small amount for an annual professional termite and wood-destroying organism inspection and avoid expending tens of thousands of dollars later on for expensive extermination and damage repair.

One of the most potentially damaging conditions in any structure is moisture. Dripping pipes, cracks in concrete foundations, deteriorated grout around windows and doors–any of these and more can create inviting conditions for termites as well as mold, mildew, fungus and wood rot.

Seventeen types of termites make their homes in California. Of those, the western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus) is the most destructive. Subterranean termites require moisture and must maintain a connection with the soil, either by boring tunnels through wood that touches the ground or by constructing mud-like shelter tubes.

Termite shelter tubes

Dampwood termites, which, as their name implies, live in moisture-saturated wood, are often found in beach houses, but some types, such as the Nevada dampwood termite (Zootermopsis nevadensis) live in drier highland areas. Drywood termites, which can survive long periods of time without any moisture, are most commonly found in Southern California, but some also occur in the Central Valley and on the coast.

A building can have more than one infestation of termites and may even be infested by more than one type. Our Sacramento pest control company uses integrated pest management techniques to (1) identify any potential points of entry to a structure or conditions that may lead to infestation, (2) repair leaks, apply moisture barriers or take other preventive measures, (3) eliminate all existing infestations. Following inspection, the property owner receives an official WDO (wood-destroying organism) report documenting the inspection results and any resulting treatment.

In this tough economy, all of us are looking for ways to economize and responsibly manage our investments. Your home or commercial property is one of the most important investments you will ever make. Consider carefully spending an ounce or two on termite and WDO prevention today to avoid several pounds of cure in the future!

 As always, visit our pest control blog at http://www.earthguardpest.com/blog for more articles and information about termites, or call us at 916-457-7605.

One of the best things you can do to protect the value of your home or commercial property is to schedule an annual inspection for termites and other wood-destroying organisms, conducted by a certified, licensed pest control professional. A small cost today (usually around $100 for a single-family home) can result in savings of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in future property damage.

A professional termite/WDO inspection not only will identify termite inspections, it also will provide you with a checklist of problem areas that could result in future damages—issues like plumbing leaks, leaky window frames or doorsills, dry rot, cracks or places where wooden structural supports are in contact with soil. Often you’ll end up with a list of easy and inexpensive fixes you can make now to keep your property pest-free and structurally sound for the future. Sometimes a fix can be as simple as recaulking, screening or fixing a dripping pipe. If it turns out you do have a termite problem, there are modern effective treatments available to eliminate the infestation and prevent a recurrence.

Termites and other wood destroying organisms cause some $2 billion worth of property damage each year in the United States alone, according to the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center, destroying or damaging some 2 million homes or buildings. Don’t be a statistic—apply an ounce of prevention in the form of a professional WDO inspection today to avoid a pound of expensive cure tomorrow.

For more information about California termites, their life cycles and signs of termite infestation, see our earlier article, “Termite Swarm Season is Here!” (http://earthguardpest.com/blog/?p=103).