Termite Control 101: A Guide To Protecting Your San Diego Home

Termites. The worst fear of any homeowner. Everyone has heard about the damage caused by termites, but what can you actually do about them? Whether you have an infestation to get rid of or you want to be aware and prevent termites from moving in, Bite Away Termite & Pest Control has all the answers you need. Our San Diego pest control options include termite inspections, removal, and treatment, which means that you don’t need to worry anymore. Call today to learn more about how we keep San Diego homes safe from termite damage. 

The First Signs Of A Termite Problem

There are two types of termites that are common to San Diego: drywood and subterranean. Drywood termites are about half an inch long and range in color from white to brown. They prefer to infest and eat hard, dry wood. Drywood termite colonies can hold as many as 2,500 members.

Most subterranean termites are much smaller, only an eighth of an inch in length. They also vary in color, but this variance depends on each termite’s caste, or role, in the colony. Subterranean termites can be reproductives, soldiers, or workers. Reproductive termites are larger, darker colored, and have wings. Workers and soldiers are lighter in color and do not have wings. 

Each spring, reproductive termites (called “swarmers”) leave their colonies to start new ones. Once they’ve found a good location, they’ll mate and shed their wings. After this, it’s pretty rare to see termites themselves. They stay in their nests or the wood they are infesting. But if you see flying termites around your property, that’s a good sign that there is or will soon be a colony nearby. Other signs of termites include hollow-sounding wood and blistered or bubbling paint on wooden surfaces. Subterranean termites build mud tubes on the sides of buildings to form pathways between their nests and the wood they eat. 

A Termite Infestation Can Cause Extensive Property Damage

The signs of termite damage can be subtle, meaning the colony can grow freely without you noticing. This can eventually lead to severe damage to your home. Fortunately, it can take years for a termite colony to cause structural damage to buildings. But the longer the colony exists without being removed and treated, the worse the damage can get. This is why it’s so important that you watch for signs of termite damage. The sooner you catch the infestation, the better. 

Handy Tips To Prevent Termites Around Your Property

Because termite colonies can cause damage without your knowledge, prevention is key. These termite prevention tips will help keep these pests out of your home and protect your house from damage. 

• Seal cracks in the walls and foundation.
• Limit contact between wood and soil.
• Divert water from your home’s foundation.
• Repair any leaks.
• Ventilate your home properly.

One thing that termites, especially subterranean termites, thrive on is moisture. In fact, they need such a high moisture level that they require contact between soil and wood. This is why they build their mud tubes to travel through, and this is why reducing moisture and eliminating contact between wood and soil are key points for termite prevention. 

Termite infestations can cause problems for your home. Prevention is great, but it can only go so far. Once a termite colony is established on your property, it’s time to call the professionals. 

Professional Termite Control Offers Lasting Protection For Your Home

Bite Away Termite & Pest Control is the best option for termite removal in San Diego. We offer multiple treatment options that are each designed to fit specific needs. Every home is different, as is every infestation; our treatments aren’t one size fits all, and that’s what makes them so effective. Whether you need localized treatments or full fumigation, Bite Away Termite & Pest Control is the group to call for termite treatment. The termites in San Diego are tough, but we’re tougher. Call today to schedule your termite inspection and treatment.