pest control Archives

What Every California Homeowner Should Know About Subterranean Termites

Leave a Comment / Subterranean Termites / John Gelhard

What Every California Homeowner Should Know About Subterranean Termites We’re entering subterranean termite swarming season. In California, this usually occurs in the spring after warm weather and rain. Hopefully it won’t happen to you, but sometime in the next few months subterranean termites may swarm. The worst place for that to happen is inside your […]

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What Every Homeowner Should Know About Orange Oil

Leave a Comment / Orange Oil / John Gelhard

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Orange Oil It seems like every time I’m on Nextdoor and someone asks for advice about termites, someone recommends orange oil. Part of the reason is that many people believe orange oil is the only alternative to termite fumigation—which isn’t true. Another reason is the general fear of chemicals

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Poisoning Termites vs. Poisoning Their Food

Leave a Comment / Termite Control / John Gelhard

Poisoning Termites vs. Poisoning Their Food There are different ways to poison termites. One way is to poison the termites directly. Fumigation does this by filling the structure with gas. Homeowners attempting DIY treatments may spray visible termites with pesticide. Orange oil treatments involve drilling into termite galleries and injecting a solvent that kills on

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California Termite Named Finalist for New Business of the Year at 2026 CBAD Awards

1 Comment / Termite News / John Gelhard

California Termite Named Finalist for New Business of the Year at 2026 CBAD Awards CARLSBAD, CA — California Termite has been named a finalist for New Business of the Year at the 2026 Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement and Distinction (CBAD) Awards, an annual event that recognizes outstanding businesses in the community. Founded by

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California Termite is Hiring

Leave a Comment / Termite News / John Gelhard

California Termite Is Hiring Thanks to a strong year of growth, California Termite is seeking a full-time Termite Technician to join our team. This is a ground-floor opportunity with unlimited potential for the right individual. The ideal candidate holds a Branch 3 Applicator’s license and has experience with basic wood repairs. However, just as important

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Hidden Attics

Leave a Comment / Termite Inspection / John Gelhard

Hidden Attics I was recently conducting a termite inspection in Carlsbad. Before I begin any inspection, I ask the homeowner a few questions: What are you seeing? How long have you lived here? Was the home tented before you moved in? Have you experienced any termite swarms? And how do you feel about fumigation? If

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8 Circumstances When It Makes Sense to Fumigate Your Home for Termites

Leave a Comment / Termite Fumigation / John Gelhard

8 Circumstances When It Makes Sense to Fumigate Your Home for Termites Nobody wants to fumigate their house. For many homeowners, the thought of bagging all your food and leaving your home for three days is horrifying. Ironically, the belief that fumigation is the only solution can cause some people to ignore early signs of

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What Lies Beneath?

1 Comment / Termite Inspection / John Gelhard

What Lies Beneath? Last week we inspected attics. Inspecting Crawl Spaces I can’t imagine that anyone actually enjoys inspecting—or spending time in—a crawl space. Sure, there are crawl spaces that feel more like basements, where you can stand up and walk around, but those are few and far between. Most crawl spaces in California have

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Inspecting an Attic for Termites

1 Comment / Termite Inspection / John Gelhard

Inspecting an Attic for Termites Last week, we inspected the outside of the house. This week, attics. Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I like inspecting attics. Sure, they’re dark, dirty, and full of hazards—but they’re never the same, and they’re a crucial part of a complete termite inspection. I compare inspecting an attic

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Inspecting a Home’s Exterior for Termites

1 Comment / Termite Inspection / John Gelhard

Inspecting a Home’s Exterior for Termites I typically begin a termite inspection on the exterior of the home. The exception is when it’s raining and I don’t want to track mud inside—in that case, I’ll start in the attic. Most of the time, though, the inspection begins with diagramming the house. Creating a diagram is

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