What Should I Do If I Think My San Diego County Home Has Termites?

San Diego County is a perfect place to call home if you’re looking for a county with an ideal climate, stately mountains, sparkly beaches, and abundant family-friendly attractions. Whether your taste is urban living or a quiet, out-of-the-way rural community, San Diego County has what you want and everything in between. Another thing San Diego County has is termites. Without pest control in San Diego County, these tiny wood-loving insects may take a big bite out of your heavenly homestead.

How Can I Tell If I Have A Termite Problem?

Termites are one of the most feared pests that homeowners face in their homes. These tiny insect armies can silently consume wood products right under people’s noses without detection unless homeowners regularly check for signs of their presence.

Four critical signs of termites in your home to note include:

1. Finding mud tubes built on foundations.
2. Noticing winged termites or their discarded wings near windows and doors.
3. Discovering areas of softened or rotting wood that easily crumbles when poked.
4. Finding tiny round holes in wood and termite feces that look like sawdust underneath.

Contacting a local termite company like HomeShield Pest Control at the first signs of termite activities is vital. The sooner we get to work removing termites from your home, the less damage they can inflict.

How Quickly Can Termites Destroy A House

The good news for homeowners is that your house isn’t going to fall around your ears overnight due to a termite invasion. The bad news is that termites stay busy 24 hours a day, year-round, consuming plant-based products in your home – namely wood. Small colonies typically have around 60,000 members, and larger colonies can have up to two million members. 

If termite infestations are left untreated, they can systematically weaken wood structures in homes over time. Small colonies can consume one foot of a 2x4 in about five months; colonies with more extensive numbers ramp up the destructive capability dramatically. Some estimate that untreated infestations can lead to severe damage to homes in three to eight years. Because termites are known as “silent destroyers,” partnering with a company like HomeShield Pest Control for home protection is wise. We offer annual termite inspections and termite control plans to help keep your home termite-free.

Why Do I Have Termites In My Home?

Cellulose (plant-based) products and moisture are keys to termite survival. While some species don’t require high moisture sources to survive, others depend on it. If termites find the essential life-giving supplies they need for survival, they will make your home their home. Since active termites have tiny bodies, they use any small crack, gap, or crevice to enter homes, so it’s important to inspect your home and use caulking material to seal weaknesses regularly. If you have wooden products that touch the soil, they could present the perfect pathway for termites to march into your home. Ensuring that wooden products never get buried underground is also essential. Another helpful way to ensure termites stay away from homes is to keep firewood and mulch a reasonable distance away from exterior walls. 

Homeowners can minimize excess moisture by maintaining gutters and downspouts properly and eliminating pockets of standing water near foundations. High humidity levels in places like crawl spaces or plumbing leaks can also attract termites. When decks and porches get constructed, homeowners should use pretreated wood to ensure termites don’t use them as appetizers before heading indoors. Homeowners can take matters into their own hands to help discourage termites from visiting, but if termites do get into your home, utilizing a pest professional like HomeShield Pest Control for termite pest control in San Diego County is essential.

What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Termites?

The best way to ensure termites don’t plague San Diego County homes is with help from professionals. Since 2009, HomeShield Pest Control has been helping customers keep their homes and lives pest-free. We do pest control correctly and keep our word; this philosophy sets us apart from other companies. Whether you need pretreatments for new builds, need an inspection, or require termite removal services, HomeShield Pest Control is a termite specialist near you who can help. Call us today for a free quote on our professional pest and termite services.