6 Things You Might Not Know About… Termites!

We’d love to tell you that everything about homeownership really is as glamorous as color palettes, custom lighting and dream kitchen renovations. But anyone who has ever paid a PG&E bill in winter, made use of that dusty plunger sitting in the garage or had to deal with termite damage knows that houses are all about the good, the bad and the pesky! This week we are talking about the latter as we share 6 things you may not know about termites, pulling data from our friends at Proven Termite Solutions and the State Structural Pest Control Board.

#1: Termites cause up to $5 BILLION in property damage each year! So, while it’s true that virtually every house has them and virtually all are still standing… it does not mean they are harmless nor cheap!

#2: It has wings… it must be a flying ant? A termite? How do you tell? The truth is that to an untrained eye (and without a microscope!), it can be difficult to differentiate between an ant and a swarming termite. Termites have straight antennae, two pairs of wings that are equal length and a broad waist. Flying ants have elbowed antennae, hind wings that are smaller than their fore wings and a narrow waist. Let’s just say they could never share clothing!

#3: While they are best known for consuming lumber in your home, they actually contribute to the ecosystem through their role of recycling plant material and wood and making soil porous (and nitrogen rich!) through their tunneling and ‘digestion’ efforts. Some scientists even hypothesize that termites decrease forest fires due to their role in decomposing rotted wood!

#4: Did you know that California State Law does NOT require a pest control inspection report before the sale of a home? However, they are required by most lenders to protect their investment. It’s part of a seller’s due diligence and a buyer’s best interests to have a report complete to ensure a smooth close of escrow and an accurate disclosure of the home’s condition.

#5: The State does require findings to be separated into Section I and Section II items – a move spear-headed by the California Association of Realtors in 1989. The goal is to prevent the abuse of termite inspection companies forcing consumers to pay for un-necessary corrective work. Section I findings refer to active damage while Section II findings refer to conditions deemed likely to lead to damage if not corrected (in summary).

#6: If there is a ‘best’ time of year to fumigate, it is during warmer weather! Termites have lower metabolic rates, so the cooler the temperature – the greater the dose of fumigant is required to ensure effectiveness. Since we live in a warmer state, the distinction is lesser than states with larger seasonal temperature ranges. Just know that the Vikane® Fumiguide calculator includes temperature when determining the formula for your home.

Last but not least… not all pest control companies are created equal! We see a large difference among companies in two key areas – cost and warranty.

Consumer Awareness Note: According to the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, local or spot control treatments are NOT effective for whole-house eradication. PLEASE report any pest control company that makes this claim to (916) 561-8708.

Please let us know if you need a personal introduction to our favorite pest control company and licensed professional! We are committed to helping you deal with the good, the bad and the pesky.

All our best,

Mark & Jason

***Please note that the information above is for informational proposes only. We are not licensed pest control professionals, but we can happily connect you with one! You can search for licensed professionals HERE.