termite inspections Archives

10 Items a Termite Inspector Would Consider When Buying a Home

Leave a Comment / Termite Inspection, Termites / John Gelhard

10 Items a Termite Inspector Considers When Buying a Home Termite inspectors have seen it all—thousands of homes with various pest-related challenges. With that experience comes a unique perspective, one that’s impossible to leave behind when purchasing a home. Here’s what a termite inspector might focus on: 1. Twin Homes Connected homes present a fumigation […]

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When You Should Fumigate – And When You Might Not Need To

Leave a Comment / Termite Fumigation, Termites / John Gelhard

When You Should Fumigate – and When You Might Not Need To One of the most common questions we hear during termite inspections is: Do we need to fumigate (tent) our home? The answer depends on your unique situation, but these guidelines can help you decide. When You Should Fumigate: Swarming Drywood Termites Originating from

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4 Questionable Termite Treatments

Leave a Comment / Termites / John Gelhard

4 Questionable Termite Treatments Most people dread the thought of tenting their home for termite fumigation. You need to leave your home for at least two nights, bag all your food and let strangers in your home. It’s not cheap, and once it’s done, your home looks the same as before. Understandably, many homeowners seek

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Termite Swarming, What You Should Know

Leave a Comment / Termite Swarming / John Gelhard

Termite Swarming: What You Should Know San Diego is home to two primary types of termites: drywood and subterranean termites, both of which spread through swarming. Here’s a breakdown of their behavior and what it means for you: Subterranean Termites Swarming Season: Spring Swarming Behavior: On warm, wet days, 50–100 flying termites leave their colony,

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Alternative Full Structure Treatments for Drywood Termites

Leave a Comment / Drywood Termites, Termite Fumigation / John Gelhard

Alternative Full Structure Treatments for Drywood Termites Few people want to tent their home. It’s a huge hassle: you have to move out for at least two nights, double bag all your food, let strangers into your house, and deal with the stigma of having a tent over your home. Then there’s the concern of

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Integrated Pest Management for Termite Control

Leave a Comment / Termites / John Gelhard

Integrated Pest Management for Termite Control Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest control that combines multiple strategies to manage pests sustainably. Rather than relying solely on chemical pesticides, IPM integrates biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls to minimize risks to human health, beneficial organisms, and the environment. Integrated

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11 Conditions that Could Lead to Termites & Wood Rot

Leave a Comment / Wood Destroying Organisms / John Gelhard

11 Conditions that Could Lead to Termites and Wood Rot: Termites thrive in specific conditions, and moisture is a primary factor. Drywood termites live inside wood, but they cannot survive without some level of moisture—similar to how human civilizations often form around water sources. Below are key conditions that can attract termites and how to

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19 Termite Treatment Obstacles

Leave a Comment / Termite Inspection / John Gelhard

19 Termite Treatment Obstacles: When conducting a termite inspection, it is crucial to consider various challenges that might affect the choice of treatment for eliminating termites in a home. Below are some common obstacles and considerations: Fragile Tile Roofs Clay Tile Issues: Clay tile roofs, especially double-stacked tile, are prone to damage during fumigation. Walking

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What Not to do When You Have Termites:

Leave a Comment / Termites / John Gelhard

What Not to Do When You Have Termites: 1. Use of Over-the-Counter Products Over-the-counter termite products may seem like an easy fix, but they don’t work the way professional treatments do. Termites are social insects: workers feed both the queen and soldiers, so if workers chew treated wood, they spread the termiticide throughout the colony.

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Subterranean Termites: The Hidden Threat Beneath Your Home

Leave a Comment / Subterranean Termites, Termites / John Gelhard

Subterranean Termites: The Hidden Threat Beneath Your Home I spotted a small mud tube on the second-story hallway of my Vista residence. At first glance, it looked like something my dog might have tracked in from the yard. But as a licensed termite inspector, I knew better. This was a tell-tale sign of subterranean termites

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