There are few pests that can present as much risk to property as termites. If you own property in San Diego County, you need to know as much as you can about termites. Today, we're going to help get you started. Let's take a look at what types of termites we have in San Diego, how long it takes for termites to damage property, and what is the best way of avoiding termite damage.

What Are The Types Of Termites In San Diego County?

We have all types of termites in our area. We have drywood, dampwood, and subterranean termites. In the classification of subterranean termites, we have Formosan and also the new super termites that have been discovered.

If you own a property in San Diego County, it isn't a matter of "if" you'll have a termite problem, it is a matter of "when" you'll have one.

a drywood termite crawling among frass

How Long Does It Take For Termites To Destroy A Home In San Diego County?

Termites don't destroy property overnight. While this is good news, it isn't great news. Just because a pest doesn't rapidly damage your property doesn't mean it isn't a threat. Termites quietly feed on homes and businesses for years without providing any detectable signs.

You could have a termite problem right now and not know it. The insidious nature of a termite infestation is that the damage is often extensive when termites are finally discovered. This can seriously eat into your equity and affect your retirement nest egg.

Why Termite Control In San Diego County Is Necessary

As we pointed out, we have all types of termites in San Diego, and all termites are incredibly sneaky. It is that second one that is the most important to understand. If you have active termites in your yard, it is easy to miss this activity. Termites avoid the light, so when you see them, you'll only see them for a few seconds before they disappear into wood or soil.

Termite identification can help you to catch these insects and do something about them. Here are a few examples:

  • If you pick up a dead branch and you see little bugs that look like maggots with legs, those are termites. Maggots don't eat wood. This is an important sign that you don't want to miss. Those little workers are a sign of active termites on your property.
  • If you dig up some soil in your landscaping, you might notice worker or soldier termites crawling around under mulch or near dead bushes and trees. Termite identification is key to a fast and appropriate response.
  • If you move a pile of scrap wood or cardboard, you might see worker termites or soldier termites on the ground beneath. Watch closely so that you can see them before they disappear into the soil.
  • If you're standing in your yard, you may have a termite swarmer land on your skin. Swarmers are black or dark orange and have long white wings (long in relation to their small bodies). A termite swarmer is only about ? of an inch long. That's pretty small. You'll have to be on top of your termite identification to notice one of these little insects before you just brush it away and move on with your day. If you want any hope of avoiding termite damage, detecting these tiny swarmers is essential.

Is There A Way To Prevent Termites In San Diego County?

While it is important to recognize signs of termites in your yard or in your home, termite detection isn't really the best way to protect your property. We certainly recommend watching for signs of termites in your yard, but targeted termite control is the best way to stop termite workers from eating your property. This is best performed by a licensed pest management professional.

Do you live in San Diego County? If so, you're in our service area. Let the HomeShield Pest Control service team help you guard your property against termite damage. We use industry-leading termite control solutions to arrest termite damage and eliminate termite colonies as workers come to feed on your property.

Along with termite treatments and specialized termite control products, our technicians perform professional inspections. They're trained to detect termite activity and conducive conditions. These routine inspections help with the evaluation of termite treatments and ensure that your property is never unprotected.

If you have questions about how termite control with HomeShield Pest Control works, we'd be happy to answer them. We want you to understand the protection that you're getting so that you will continue to make this investment to guard your equity and your retirement nest egg from the destructive impact of sneaky termites. 

Reach out to us today to learn more or to schedule termite control services for your San Diego County property. We're standing by to assist you with all of your pest concerns.