Termites? A pile of black droppings, typically beneath a section of stucco. Because it’s black (not the color of wood) and concentrated (not spread out like it would be if it came from the eaves above) it’s most likely crickets, not termites. An inexperienced (or less than honest) termite inspector might claim they’re termite droppings […]
Why Choose California Termite? Any homeowner who has dealt with termites knows how many options there are. Every time I drive on one of San Diego’s major freeways, I spot another termite company I’ve never heard of. Should you go with a big, well-known company? Large companies often become sales organizations rather than termite control
Why Choose California Termite? Read More »
Inside a Chimney Tube I’m not inside the actual chimney tube—there’s no way I’d fit in there—but I am inside the framing that surrounds it. Usually, this area is completely inaccessible. Honestly, nine out of ten termite inspectors wouldn’t squeeze themselves where I was in this video. And even if they did, they wouldn’t expect
Inside a Chimney Tube Read More »
There is Another Way Maybe You Don’t Have to Fumigate. I exhibited at the Older and Bolder Expo last Saturday in Carlsbad, CA, where hundreds of seniors attended. At my table, the most common comments I heard were: “I just tented my house.” or “Do you tent, or do you use orange oil?” It struck
There is Another Way Read More »
Attic Hazards Termite inspectors know, attics aren’t the safest places to work. Step in the wrong spot and that cool air on their leg means only one thing—it’s now in the room below. And as bad as that is, it can get worse. If the home has a sprinkler system and they step on an
Don’t Wait: Why Quick Action Against Termites Matters A lot of people assume that finding termites automatically means tenting their home. Because of that, when they see signs of termites, they hesitate to call a termite control company. But waiting only makes the problem worse. Ironically, by putting it off, you may end up needing
Don’t Wait: Why Quick Action Against Termites Matters Read More »
Termites Love the Framing Around Chimney Tubes The wood framing around a chimney tube is especially vulnerable to drywood termites. Temperature changes cause condensation, which raises the wood’s moisture content—something drywood termites need to survive. In fact, nine times out of ten, this framing will be infested. The challenge is that much of it is
Termites Love the Framing Around Chimney Tubes Read More »
A Long Day in the Life of a Termite Inspector Mobile Homes and Crawlspaces It was a Saturday, and I had four inspections. The first two were mobile homes. Mobile homes always come with a crawlspace. I actually like attics—no matter the temperature—because they’re more of a challenge. Crawlspaces… they’re almost never fun. They stay
A Long Day in the Life of a Termite Inspector Read More »
Under a Mobile Home All mobile homes sit on a raised foundation, which makes the space underneath an important area to inspect during a termite inspection. While mobile homes generally don’t contain a lot of wood, there are still key areas where termites or wood-destroying organisms may be found. I focus on wood that’s connected
Underneath a Mobile Home Read More »
Why Do I Have to Bag My Food but Not Wash My Dishes After a Fumigation? (and other tenting questions answered) When it comes to fumigating your home for drywood termites, a lot of common questions come up. Here are clear answers to the ones we hear most often. Why do I need to bag
Why Do I Have to Bag My Food but Not Wash My Dishes After a Fumigation? Read More »
