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The southern California region has two distinct varieties of termites that are indigenous to the area. The drywood termite, which is found throughout the entire sunbelt of the US, and the subterranean termite which can be found in every state in the country. The drywood termite is the most prevelant kind, making up the majority of the extermination business, while subterranean termites are in less than ten percent (10%) of the homes inspected in the San Diego region.

DRYWOOD TERMITES

Drywood termites live in the wood they infest and do not have to emerge, except for the yearly swarmers that develop and fly out of the wood from August to October to establish new colonies in other wood, be it in the same structure or another. They can also be found in telephone poles, railroad ties (even though they are boiled in kreosote), fencing and dead or dying trees.

If drywood termites are found in areas of a home that have exposed wood, like the attic and/or the garage, and are not leading into the walls or any other inaccessible areas, they can be treated at a minimal expense and eradicated. If, however, they are in numerous areas, damaging a building, or have swarmed already, then a fumigation is indicated to eradicate all of the infestations throughout.

SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

Subterranean termites live in the soil and can be hundreds of feet away from an infested structure. The termites must go back to the colony in the ground for nutrients to digest the cellulose from the wood eaten and to provide food for the other colony members.

For the most part subterranean termite infestations occur in the garage, and bathroom/kitchen areas of houses, seeking moisture. Most of the time they can be kept out of the home using a local treatment, consisting of drilling through the concrete and putting chemical under the slab areas infested.

We exclusively use Termidor which is a new, state-of-the-art termiticide.

Termidor is the first termiticide of its kind. It is non-repellant. Termites traverse it but don't realize it. They return to their colony with the termiticide on them and spread it through grooming each other until the entire colony is destroyed.

Some firms want to treat an entire home for a spot or two of infestation,yet we find this not only very time consuming but also uneccessary and expensive to the customer.

If you have further questions regarding termites and their environment, please refer to your local libraries or the internet.