The Secret To Effective Termite Control For San Diego Properties

Your home isn’t a buffet, but termites sure think it is. Every year, these tiny destructive pests cost American homeowners over five billion dollars, a whole lot of money that could be much better spent on other things.


That said, the good news is that termites are treatable, and to save your San Diego home and wallet from these property-wrecking menaces, here are some secrets you should know.

How Termites Damage Homes

Termites cannot destroy your home overnight or even over a month; on average, it takes a colony of termites over a year to cause any significant damage to a structure, and what makes these pests so destructive is how quietly they invade. Termites don’t announce their presence when they enter homes, don’t crawl over furniture or countertops, and rarely even surface above the ground.


The only time you will ever see a live termite is if you either cut into an infested structure of wood or see a swarmer (winged reproductive termites) buzzing around inside your home. By the time these flyers show up, severe damage has usually already occurred.

Spotting Termites Early

Termites are not the easiest pest to identify. In most circumstances, homeowners do not notice infestations until serious signs of structural damage present themselves, such as overly squeaky floorboards, tight-fitting doors and windows, bubbling wallpaper, and sagging drywall. We hope that you identify termites long before these signs show up. To do this, look for these few early signs that indicate your home is at risk:

• Pencil-sized mud tubes running up your home’s exterior.
  
  
• A soft clicking sound coming from inside your walls.
  
  
• Termite damaged trees, stumps, or lumber on your property.
  
  
• Structural wood around your home that is water damaged, rotting, or in decay.
  
  
• Direct soil to wood contact around your home.
  
  
• Termite swarmers buzzing in or around your home.

Addressing Factors That Attract Termites

The majority of termites here in the San Diego area only infest wood that is water-damaged or softened. To reduce your chances of a termite infestation, here are some helpful termite prevention tips to try around your property:

• Repair or replace structural wood that is water-damaged, rotting, or decaying.
  
  
• Inspect your gutters, making sure they are clear of debris and in good repair.
  
  
• Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks found in your home’s exterior.
  
  
• Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between the exterior soil and the wood of your home.
  
  
• Remove stumps, fallen trees, and other organic debris from your property.
  
  
• Store firewood and untreated lumber at least 30 feet from the exterior of your home.
  
  
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures around your home.
  
  
• Eliminate sources of water build-up around your property.
  
  
• Use a dehumidifier indoors to keep moisture levels down.

The Best Way To Handle Termite Problems

There is only one easy way to identify and handle termite problems, and that is with the help of a professional. At Allswell, we offer comprehensive service plans to deal with termites in all stages of their development.


From thorough inspections to advanced treatments, our team is committed to offering only the highest quality services for our neighbors and friends. If you would like to become part of our community of protected home and business owners, let us know today.


Give us a call or reach out through our website to learn more about our termite control and schedule your home for an inspection to determine if your home currently has an active infestation.