As moisture-packed storms have rolled on onshore from the Pacific in recent weeks, they have produced 400 to 600 percent of the average rainfall amounts California usually receives this time of year, according to the National Weather Service.
The unprecedented rainfall has affected both people and pests. In a recent blog post, Clark, your friendly pest control, mosquito, termite, and grounds care expert, shared how excessive rainfall can saturate the soil where pests live, forcing them out of their subterranean nests and burrows to look for drier harborage.
All this excessive moisture is particularly attractive to one pest that many Californians are quite familiar with: termites. This year’s record rains are creating conditions conducive for increased termite activity once the rains stop, when swarm season commences in spring as temperatures rise.
An active termite forecast
Clark Pest Control has decades of experience dealing with termites, and would like to make sure that you are prepared for what could be an active termite season.
Subterranean termites, the most frequently encountered termite in California, thrive in the moist soil that recent rains have created. And moist soil isn’t the only place where termites thrive.
Wood that suffers water damage – wood siding in contact with the ground or in the path of a misdirected sprinkler system, deck supports, fence posts, and tree stumps and roots – can all be termite targets.
Termites don’t limit their foraging and destructive behavior to ground level. Gutters that are backed up with water because they are clogged with debris can damage wood framing, studs, and supports along a roof line, attracting termites. Even subterranean termites that invade from the ground underneath a home will infest decaying, moisture-damaged wood inside a structure.
How far will termites go to satisfy their wood-eating habit? Clark Pest Control technicians have discovered termites inside wooden picture frames hanging on a wall several feet off the ground.
A silent threat
Because termites are secretive pests, they can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, and insulation, and in the ground outside your home. There often will be no visible evidence of a termite infestation.
That’s why Clark encourages you to have your home inspected for termites and other wood-destroying pests before swarming season starts. The inspections will be performed by a licensed, highly trained Clark Pest Control inspector who will know exactly where to look and what to look for.
If a termite infestation or damage is found, Clark will make recommendations on how to fix the problem, providing you with the confidence that your termite problem will be taken care of properly.
Besides monetary consequences, as termites can cause thousands of dollars of damage to a home, the presence of thousands of winged termites inside your home can be quite unsettling.
With prime termite season right around the corner, now is the time to take action to protect your home by scheduling a termite inspection. Call Clark to book your free termite inspection today.
For maximum protection against termites, think about scheduling a no-obligation home wellness inspection, which adds a look at rodent vulnerabilities and insulation health to a top-to-bottom termite inspection. Your technician also can tell you about Clark Pest Control’s Termite Infestation Protection (T.I.P.) program, which is designed to cover your home from future infestations and damages caused by all species of termites.
Call California’s trusted, friendly termite control experts at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com to schedule your home wellness inspection.
Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.