Not every home is a simple, one-story structure surrounded by open pavement. Just as diagnosing a termite issue correctly is critical, recognizing the obstacles that could impact treatment is just as important. Without planning for these factors, the job could be delayed, cost more, or even be canceled.

Zero Lot Lines
In many parts of California, two homes often share a property line—what’s called a zero lot line. This becomes a problem when a technician needs access to a neighbor’s yard to treat the customer’s home. If there’s tension between neighbors, or the gate is locked and no one’s home, treatment could be stalled. With fumigation, it’s even more critical: a homeowner needs their neighbor’s written consent because the tent will sit partially on the neighbor’s property.

Homes Built Close Together
In these cases, fumigation might still be possible without a neighbor’s permission. But if termite activity is in an upper-story eave near the property line, the technician may need to access the neighbor’s yard just to position a ladder safely. Without that access, the treatment could be unsafe or incomplete.

Heat
Treating termites in the summer is no small task. Technicians must wear respirators in attics and long sleeves—even on hot days. While it’s easier to perform borate or local treatments in cooler seasons, a hot July day requires an earlier start time and more breaks, which means jobs take longer and scheduling needs to adjust accordingly.

Cold Weather
San Diegans might joke about “cold” weather, but lower temps can be a real issue—especially during attic heat treatments. To be effective, the core wood temperature needs to reach 130°F and stay there for at least an hour. That’s not easy to achieve on a 50-degree day, and it may even render heat treatment unfeasible.

Vegetation and Storage
I once performed a local treatment for a homeowner whose house was surrounded by potted plants and outdoor storage. She needed fumigation, but there was no clear perimeter around her home, making it impossible to tent. Even local treatment took much longer, and I had to charge more for the additional time and effort.

Patio Covers
Accessing eaves above a patio cover is risky. Ladders aren’t supposed to be placed on top of them, but sometimes it’s the only way. If the patio cover is too steep, structurally compromised, or covered in rotted wood—like some pergolas—it may be too dangerous to treat. Seeing the problem doesn’t mean it’s accessible.

Uneven Terrain
Homes built on slopes or hills can pose major challenges. If you can’t safely set a ladder to reach the upper eaves, then treatment options become limited—especially for localized work.

Dog Droppings
This might sound minor, but it’s real. I once worked with a technician who absolutely refused to step into yards littered with dog waste. Some homeowners are diligent, others not so much. If I knew it might be a problem, I had to have that awkward conversation with the client before scheduling.

These are just a few examples of the real-world challenges termite professionals face. Overlooking them can lead to missed deadlines, unhappy customers, or even unsafe work conditions. Experience makes the difference. I’ve dealt with every one of these situations—and I remember them all. It only has to happen once for me to store that knowledge and look out for it the next time.