San Diego County Homeowners' Complete Guide To Effective Termite Control

Signs of Termite Activity To Watch For Around Your Home

Termites are stealthy little pests that can cause significant problems for homeowners. These destructive insects are always hunting for new places to call home, and your house could be their next target. Watch for these signs of termites in your home so you can catch them early and avoid costly damage to your property:

• Mud Tubes: One of the most common signs of termites is mud tubes. These mud-packed tunnels allow termites to travel back and forth from their nests to their food source without being exposed to sunlight or adverse weather conditions. You can usually find mud tubes on the exterior of your home near the foundation or any cracks in the concrete. If you see any suspicious mud tubes, it's time to call a professional exterminator.
• Wood Damage: Another telltale sign of termites is damaged wood. These pests typically enter homes through small cracks and crevices in the foundation and then eat their way through the wood structural framing. If you begin seeing wood damage around your property, it's a good idea to have a professional inspector take a closer look, as it could be a sign of a more significant problem.
• Swarmers: If you see winged insects flying around your property, it could signify termites. These swarmers are termite reproductives that leave their nests searching for new places to establish colonies. After they mate, they'll shed their wings and tunnel into the ground, building new nests. Given enough time, a few swarmers can turn into a full-blown infestation.  
• Termite Frass: Termites produce sawdust-like waste materials called frass, and if you see piles around your home, there's a good chance that termites are present. Frass is what these destructive pests use to build their nests and tunnels, so you'll likely find it near where they're feeding on wood.

If you notice any signs of active termites on your property, don't hesitate to contact a professional pest control company like HomeShield Pest Control. With the help of an experienced exterminator, you can keep your home safe from these destructive pests and prevent costly damage to your property. To learn more about effective termite control in San Diego County, contact HomeShield Pest Control today.

The Extent Of Damage Termites Can Cause To Your Home

Termites in San Diego County are much more than nuisance insects. These tiny pests can cause massive damage to your home if left unchecked. Every year, termites cause billions of dollars in damage to homes across the United States. These wood-devouring insects are capable of generating different kinds of damage to your home, including:

• Structural Damage: The most apparent damage that termites can do to your home is structural damage. Termites will happily munch away at your home's wooden support beams and load-bearing walls if given a chance. This kind of damage can weaken the entire structure of your home and make it unsafe for you and your family. 
• Water Damage: While most people associate water damage with broken pipes or leaky roofs, did you know that termites can also cause water damage? It's true - if termites build their nests inside your home's walls, they can weaken the integrity of those walls and allow water to seep in, leading to everything from mold and mildew growth to dangerous electrical shorts. 
• Damage To Your Belongings: It's not just your house that termite infestation can ruin; termites can also destroy many of your belongings. If you have items made of wood, such as furniture, bookshelves, or musical instruments, termites will happily devour them. These pests will eat anything containing cellulose, including clothing, blankets, paper products, and more. 

Termite-related damage is often insidious because it can happen slowly over time without you even realizing it's occurring. Having yearly inspections by a qualified termite removal professional like HomeShield Pest Control is crucial. We can spot signs of termite activity that you might overlook and help you nip the problem in the bud before it gets out of hand. 

Factors That Attract Termites And How To Remove Them

Termites are small, soft-bodied insects that live in colonies. Though they are often mistaken for ants, termites altogether belong to a different order of insects. Despite their innocuous appearance, termites can cause significant damage to both homes and commercial buildings. Termites are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage every year.

Several factors attract termites. One is temperature; termites like warm and humid areas. Another factor that attracts termites is the presence of wood or other cellulose-based materials. Termites feed on wood, so areas with a lot of wood are likely to be infested with termites.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent or remove a termite infestation. Here are effective ways to prevent termites by removing what attracts them:

• Reduce moisture levels in and around your home or office building: Termites like warm and humid areas. It's important to reduce moisture levels by fixing leaks, ventilating crawl spaces, and using dehumidifiers to keep them away. You should also ensure that gutters are clean and in good repair so they can properly drain water away from your home or building.
• Keep wood piles and other wood sources away from your property: Termites will feed on wood or cellulose-based materials, including wood piles and firewood. Keep all wood sources far away from your home or office building to deter termites from infesting your property. 
• Remove mulch, wood chips, and other cellulose materials from your property: In addition to using wood piles and other wooden sources for food, termites like mulch, compost piles, and other decaying organic materials. It's important to avoid using too many of these materials in landscaping projects and to remove them from your property whenever possible to keep termites away from your San Diego County home or office building. 

These tips can help prevent termites from infesting your home or office building. You can keep your property free of these destructive pests with a little effort and vigilance.

If you suspect you have a termite problem, call our experts at HomeShield Pest Control. We offer reliable and effective termite control services to help you eliminate these pests and keep them from returning.

We also offer pre-construction termite treatment services to help protect your new construction project from these destructive pests before they have a chance to cause any damage. Contact us today to learn more about our termite control services and how we protect your property from these damaging pests.