If you live in San Diego, you know that termites are one of the most common pests that can harm your home. They can cause major damage to your structure, and they’re a year-round threat.

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Luckily, there are several ways to protect your home from these silent destroyers. Getting the right termite treatment can help you keep your home safe from these pests.

Termite Infestations

Termites are one of the most common wood-destroying insects, and can cause significant damage to your home. These “silent destroyers” go undetected for years, causing massive damage that can be extremely expensive to repair.

During your home inspection, you should check for signs of termites. These include: swarms of winged insects near your house, discarded wings from these termites, mud tubes in crawl spaces or on wooden beams, and hollow-sounding wood.

If you see these signs of termites, it’s a good idea to have your property inspected by a pest control professional right away.

Termite infestations can lower your property’s value by 20% or more, depending on how bad the infestation is. This is because termite damage can create a negative market image, and it’s likely that prospective buyers would be wary of purchasing a property that has a history of termite problems.

Termite Damage

Termites can wreak havoc on the inside and outside of your home. They chew through wood and leave long grooves or “mazes” that resemble a honeycomb pattern.

Until it’s extensive, termite damage may not be visible at all. It can resemble water damage or wood rot, but it’s important to look for signs of termite infestation as soon as possible to avoid serious structural issues.

If you’re not sure whether you have termites, or if they’re even in your area, it’s best to get a professional pest inspection done. They’ll be able to pinpoint the exact location of your termite issue and provide a treatment plan that works for you.

While termite damage can hurt your property’s resale value, it’s not the end of the world. As long as the damage has been taken care of, and the cause of the infestation is resolved, it shouldn’t significantly affect your home’s worth.

Termite Prevention

Termites can damage any structure with wood – trusses, flooring, framing and more. The key is to protect your home from these silent destroyers.

The first step in termite prevention is eliminating the source of their food – wood mulch, sticks, brush, and firewood should be removed as far from your home as possible. These are perfect breeding grounds for drywood termites which need excess moisture to survive.

Second, keep your property free from leaks, clogged drains and standing water that attract termites. Generally, you’ll want to keep gutters clear and fix any leaking pipes in the house.

Finally, reduce clutter in your yard – trim trees, bushes and weeds, and keep the ground around your home tidy. This will make it less attractive for termites to nest in your yard and will help you avoid a costly termite infestation.

Tent Fumigation

Tent fumigation is a common treatment that pest control experts use to eradicate drywood termites. It involves enclosing your home in a tent that seals off the structure and pumps insect killing gases into the tent.

Unlike bombs or fogging that may release water droplets into the air, fumigation gas is completely odorless and colorless. It kills termites by depleting their oxygen levels and shutting down their nervous systems.

While you won’t be allowed to enter your home during this process, the fumigation company will test the air for chemical levels before you are given a reentry permit. This helps ensure that you and your family’s health are not at risk.

Before a tent fumigation takes place, you should make arrangements to stay with family or friends for a few days. You should also take steps to protect your food, pets and house plants from the fumigants.