Each year, homeowners spend thousands of dollars or more on repairing the structural damage caused by termites. We all know treating your home for termites can be challenging, but exactly how hard is it?

Here’s what San Diego County homeowners should know about DIY termite control, whether you can get rid of termites completely, what kind of damage they cause, and how pest control in San Diego County can help you permanently get rid of termites.

Can I Treat My House For Termites Myself?

Once you realize you’ve got termites, does do-it-yourself termite control get rid of these pests? Unfortunately, DIY methods for getting rid of termites are rarely as effective as they may seem. Some of the biggest reasons that home remedies or DIY methods for termite control don’t work include:

Health Risks

Many over-the-counter termite control methods include pesticides and chemicals, which aren’t always safe to use around people or our pets. Most homeowners don’t have the gear or the training to use these harmful chemicals properly, so there’s a risk that these pesticides could become toxic to you, your family, or your pets.

You Need The Right Equipment

Termite control is often more complicated. When it comes to the best way to get rid of termites, you’ll need to kill every single termite and termite egg in the colony, not just the termites you see or find. You’ll need the right equipment for this, and most homeowners just don’t often have access to the gear they need to do the job effectively.

Time-Consuming & Costly

Homeowners may try to tackle termites on their own to save money or time, but unfortunately, these ineffective DIY methods often end up costing you more time and money over time compared to hiring a professional.

While there are plenty of DIY products on the shelf and videos on the internet about removing termites on your own, the reality is that professional pest control is the safest and most effective solution to termites - and often less expensive in the long-run!

hundreds of termites coming out of a hole in the ground

Is It Possible To Fully Get Rid Of Termites?

As elusive as termites can be, is it possible to fully get rid of them? Termite control can be tricky, but you can eradicate these pests from your home, especially if you enlist the help of a professional pest control company.

It’s important to note that DIY methods, like putting your furniture out in the sun or using termite traps, won’t effectively eliminate these pests. Effective termite control almost always includes the help of a professional that has the experience, training, and equipment to get rid of the entire infestation.

What Kind Of Damage Can Termites Cause?

What are the signs of termites, and what kind of damage do they cause? Because termite problems can go unnoticed for years at a time, these pests have plenty of time to cause structural damage, even if the outward signs aren’t completely obvious. Some of the signs of termite damage include:

  • Buckling wood in your floors, walls, or ceilings 
  • Cracks and maze-like tunnels in furniture or walls 
  • Peeling and damaged drywall paint, which may look similar to water damage

As time goes by, termites can slowly eat away at the wood in your home until you’ve got hollow walls or floors. It’s also not uncommon for termites to destroy antique furniture.

Subterranean termites, which are the most common in the country, tend to cause more extensive damage since they can go unnoticed for more extended periods of time. Drywood termites can cause plenty of damage on their own, but since their presence is harder to hide, homeowners may discover them before they’ve caused too much structural damage.

The Trick To Permanently Getting Rid Of Termites In San Diego County

Are termites dangerous to humans? Termites may not carry bacteria or diseases like some pests, but the damage they cause can leave homeowners with plenty of headaches. Fortunately, there is a trick to permanently getting rid of termites.

All you need to do is enlist the help of the professionals at HomeShield Pest Control. We’ve dealt with termite infestations from big to small in San Diego County, and we’ve got the experience and effective treatments you need to eradicate these pests from your home permanently.

If you’re spotting signs of termite damage or you’re interested in having a pest control professional inspect your home for signs of termites, there’s only one thing to do. Contact us today at HomeShield Pest Control for more information about how we can get rid of termites in your San Diego County home.