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Termite Control in Los Angeles, CA

Posted by Mark A. Puglisi, ACE on Tue, Mar 19, 2013 @ 02:41 PM Tips For Reducing Termites

Most pest control companies deal mostly with the result of pest problems, and not so much with the cause.  Well, with over 5 Billion dollars in control and repair expenses each year for termite infested homes it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why.

Termites can potentially damage every home standing because they are like food pods to a termite.  It doesn’t have to be this way, nor does the cost have to be so high if we just took some preventative steps to take the bite out of termites from turning your home into their next main course.

Termites require food, shelter and water just as you and I do to survive.  Managing our homes and the property they sit on can greatly reduce your contributions to the multi-billion dollar pit of repair money each year.  As an Entomologist, it’s a key factor in control of all pests to understand the biology and habits of insects in order to control them, with or without pesticides.

We are an Organic minded company always looking to use the least toxic material when it is required for a treatment strategy.  Taking an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach when dealing with pests that invade our homes and businesses, it makes good sense to focus on prevention rather than wait until it requires treatment.

Below are some of the reasons and causes that make it possible for termites to feast on your home, and the things you can do to help reduce that risk. Knowing these in advance can save you a lot of trouble and money. Water is an essential resource for most living things, especially termites.  Keeping a close eye for leaks on exterior water sources like hoses and faucets, will assist in identifying potential problems before they become one.

Timers for sprinklers are another source of excessive moisture since most are a “set it and forget it” device. Like clocks and daylight savings, they need to be adjusted yearly. Heavy brush and mulch retain more water than some of the other areas of a yard.  It’s a good idea to keep all mulch away from the foundation of your home.

Faulty grade can lead to water finding its way under the home, creating over saturation that has no place to go. Damaged and missing gutters along roof line can be a serious source of excessive moisture and dry rot, especially when the gutters are full of organic debris like leaves, pine needles and other plant growth.  Cleaning these gutters each year will help reduce issues that will attract termites Storage of firewood typically is too close to the house as a rule since no one wants to walk out to the back-40 in the rain and cold to get wet firewood, so it sits under an eve against the house or worse yet in the garage.  Placing wood on the ground is bad practice since “earth to wood” allows easy access for termites to get a free trip indoors.

Form boards from cement work are usually left behind after construction, or worse yet tossed under you house where it stays out of sight.  Termites don’t need much of reason to search out more wood once the scraps are gone. Termites don’t rest or sleep and don’t belong to a local Union so they are committed to eating your home 24/7.

Buck Stops Here

If you take the time to evaluate your home and the conditions that are conducive to termite infestations, you could save yourself thousands of dollars in repairs.

If you haven’t had a termite inspection in the last 12 months, do yourself a favor and have your home inspected by a professional termite inspector, in most cases we offer a FREE inspection.  Typical inspection takes about 2 hours, depending on the type of home you have.  If you have any questions about termites or any other pest challenge, we are always here to help. Tags: Termite prevention, homeowner tips for termites



