• I think my home or business has a termite infestation. What do I do next?

   

• What time of year are termites most common?

   

• What can I do to prevent termites from infesting my house?

   

• When is the best time to treat for termites?

   

• I live in a stucco home. Should I be concerned with termite prevention, control and treatment?

   

• I think I have found what I believe to be termite or pest excrement.  How can I tell if this is termite waste?

   

• As long as termite treatment is done correctly, how long will the insecticide barrier be effective?

• I noticed a termite removal service in front of my neighbor’s home, which obviously is a sign that they have termites.  Are my neighbor’s termites going to attack my house after they get their home treated?

   

• How quickly will termite treatment services take to eliminate my termite infestation?

   

• How often should I pay for termite treatment services?

I think my home or business has a termite infestation.  What do I do next?
Time is of the essence, as termites will continue to multiply and silently destroy your home or business from the inside out indefinitely. It is important to contact a termite professional immediately in order to inquire about a termite inspection.  The termite professionals at Arizona Termite Control provide a free in-home or in-office termite inspection

What time of year are termites most common?
Once a termite colony has established itself in your home or business, these termites will continue to plague your home or business year round. However, termite populations tend to increase in activity and colony expansion during the warm summer months. In Arizona particularly, termite activity tends to increase during the warm summer months, as the increased levels of humidity caused by monsoon storms provides an ideal environment for breeding and nesting.

What can I do to prevent termites from infesting my house?
There are several steps that any home or business owner can take to prevent termite infestations in their home or place of business. It is in your best interest to have a termite professional implement a termite control program before you notice an infestation.

-       Remove all wood debris from around your home or place of business especially after new construction and building remodeling. This includes tree stumps, stacked firewood, or pieces of lumber lying near the foundation of the building

-       Since termites thrive in moist environments, to prevent termite infestations you can grade the soil around the foundation of your home or place of business so that it carries water away from the foundation. Maintaining gutters and downspouts is also critical in keeping water away from your foundation.

When is the best time to treat for termites?
The ideal time to treat for termites is before they infest your home or place of business. Termite control is a process, and a treatment plan should be put into place to avoid an infestation and consequent costly repairs.

I live in a stucco home. Should I be concerned with termite prevention, control and treatment?
Many home or business owners of the popular southwest style stucco building are lured into a false sense of security regarding termite infestations. Contrary to what many individuals believe, the way that stucco style buildings and homes are designed provides an environment conducive to termite infestations. The stucco exterior finish on your home or business often extends beneath the level of the soil around the exterior of the structure. Due to this extra extension, a space is created between the foundation and the stucco finish, and this is what creates a doorway for termites to enter your home undetected.  Additionally, many stucco style homes or buildings are built with  “synthetic” stucco finishes,which include a base layer of foam boarding.  This type of exterior finish also extends beneath the soil level, and once the termites access this foam, they are free to move around anywhere around the structure.  This type of exterior finish is also well known as being easily prone to allowing moisture in, which will provide a perfect breeding ground for termites once they enter the residence.

I think I have found what I believe to be termite or pest excrement.  How can I tell if this is termite waste?
Dry wood termites produce small bun-shaped pellets as waste. This waste often accumulates on surfaces directly below infested areas. Evidence of termite activity can often be small holes on the surface of the infested area, and an accumulation of waste directly below these small holes. There are also types of termites who have wings, and they may also be observed around the infested area. These adult termites with wings are used to start new infestations in other areas of the structure, typically during the summer months.

As long as termite treatment is done correctly, how long will the insecticide barrier be effective?
Historically homes were treated with a chemical known as chlordane. This chemical was taken off of the market in 1988, which significantly impacted the termite control market. By using chlordane, a home could be protected up to twenty plus years. The chemicals used today for termite control are mess less persistent in the environment, than the chemicals used previously.  With currently utilized products, you can expect your home to be protected for up to five years.

I noticed a termite removal service in front of my neighbor’s home, which obviously is a sign that they have termites.  Are my neighbor’s termites going to attack my house after they get their home treated?
Termites move through the soil searching for a source of food (wood). Termites do not have sonar radar, and consequently do not know where your house is in order to consciously attack your home or property. Therefore, if your neighbor is treating for termites, this doesn’t mean that you also have termites, or that your house is for dinner.  Your house does not necessarily need to be treated, but if there are active termite infestations in your neighborhood, it’s a good idea to have your home or place of business inspected.  Contact Arizona Termite Control for a free termite inspection.

How quickly will termite treatment services take to eliminate my termite infestation?
The average turnaround time to completely eliminate termite infestations is in three months or less after treatment.

How often should I pay for termite treatment services?
There are a variety of factors that can and will affect the life expectancy of a termite treatment. Most modern chemicals are expected to last five years on average, and that is an average length of time to expect from a properly applied chemical barrier with no additional complications. Although it should be noted that complications do frequently get into the way for home or business owners.  The type of soil, the effectiveness of the particular treatment, the home design, and home construction all play a roll in determining the length and effectiveness of the termite treatment services.

It is a good idea to have your home inspected annually after you have had a termite infestation.  As part of the eradication services, it is important that the company you utilize for your termite control will also suggest and implement any changes needed to prevent future termite outbreaks.  Getting annual inspections and learning what to look for in regards to termite infestations can help prevent damage and unnecessary expenses in the future.