Termites cause an astounding $5 billion in property damage in the United States annually, a cost not typically covered by homeowners insurance. Let that sink in for a moment.
National Termite Awareness Week is March 7-13. Clark, your friendly pest control, rodent, grounds care, mosquito, and termite expert, encourages you to be vigilant in guarding your home against termites.
Common termite questions
Q: Is my house termite proof because it’s covered in stucco and sits on a concrete slab?
A: No! Termites don’t eat concrete or stucco, but anything containing cellulose can be a target. Termites can eat through drywall, wallpaper, and wooden furniture. Also, most stucco homes have wooden frames that are still susceptible to damage. Termites can find cracks in the stucco and concrete to access the wood in your home.
Q: My house was treated before. It can’t get termites again, right?
A: Wrong. Many factors can affect how long a termite treatment works. Most treatments only have a one-year guarantee, but environmental factors, the quality of work, or material used each can diminish the effectiveness of your termite treatment.
Also, your home may have had a subterranean termite treatment, but that will not prevent a drywood termite infestation. It’s highly recommended that a professional termite inspection be performed on your home every two to three years, and that you maintain any extended warranties.
Clark once serviced a home that had a termite treatment done by another firm, and was surprised two years later when the homeowner found termites coming out from behind a picture in his hallway. That particular homeowner had signed up for Clark’s Termite Infestation Protection (T.I.P.) program, so the home was protected (see below).
Q: Termites don’t live in my area, so I’m in the clear, right?
A: False, unless you live in Alaska. Termites are common throughout California, with drywood and subterranean termites causing the most damage. In some cases, you could have both species eating away at your home. The probability of you encountering termites is significant, no matter if you call southern, northern, or central California home, so it’s better to be prepared and have regular termite inspections.
Q: Where are termites most likely found in a home?
A: The top five areas where termite activity and damage are most likely to take place in your home include:
- Outside on concrete walls, painted wood trim, siding, and woodpiles
- In storage areas like crawl spaces, basements, garages, and attics
- Around leaky pipes and moist areas in kitchens and bathrooms
- At the tops of walls, corners of rooms, flooring, closets, and window and door frames
- Within support beams inside your home
Termite inspections are key
Ask about Clark Pest Control’s exclusive Termite Infestation Protection (T.I.P.) program, which is designed to cover your home from future infestations and damages. A full termite inspection must be done to see if your home qualifies. Then, for a small monthly fee, you can avoid costly out-of-pocket treatment and repair expenses.
Have a concern about swarming termites? Pest control has been deemed an essential service during the Covid-19 crisis by the State of California, so feel free to call California’s trusted pest management expert, Clark, at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. We are ready to help solve your termite and pest issues.
Clark’s commitment to safety
Clark Pest Control remains committed to safeguarding your home from pests during these challenging times. Our service technicians use such personal protective equipment as gloves, masks, and respirators, they practice social distancing, and they adhere strictly to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when servicing inside or outside your home.
