What type of termites do we have in the Phoenix area?
The species of termites we see the most in Arizona are drywood termites and subterranean termites. Just as the names of each suggest, one type prefers to establish its colonies in very dry wood, and the other tunnels and nests underground. Both types can be active year-round in our warm climate, with the peak season occurring from about August through November.
How do I know if I have termites?
The surest method of determining if you have a termite problem is to have a pest control professional conduct a thorough inspection of your home. However, there are signs you can look for, including wood that has a hollow sound when tapped, visible tunnels in wood, and even soft sounds made when termites are eating and moving. Watch for termite droppings too, which indicate a termite colony is not far away.
The termite extermination experts at Green Home Pest Control will provide a complete inspection to locate infestations. We can identify the species of termite on your property and create a customized plan to get rid of them and keep your home termite-free with ongoing treatments. We guarantee our services and will be happy to return to your home at no additional cost for additional treatments if termites return during the warranty period.
Are there eco-friendly or safe termite control options?
Getting rid of an established termite colony is a challenge that often requires the use of chemicals, but when it comes to controlling these pests, prevention is the best course of action for protecting your family and pets.
Is there a way to prevent termite problems?
There are several things homeowners can do to help prevent a termite infestation. Many of the steps you can take are focused on your yard and your home’s exterior, including the following:
Control water flow around your house. Most types of termites need moisture and gravitate to areas with higher moisture levels. Even a rare Phoenix rainstorm can cause water to accumulate at and under your foundation, so it’s important to ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the structure. If you run water sprinklers with any frequency, avoid allowing the spray to reach your home’s walls and foundation and be sure not to overwater.
Use hardscaping. In dry climates such as ours, using hard landscape materials, such as paving and gravel, is a popular way to have an attractive landscape that doesn’t require much water or maintenance. The benefit of this means termites will find less moisture and food sources in your yard.
Maintain an existing termite barrier. If your home’s outside perimeter has been treated with a liquid barrier, be sure to have it reapplied if you disturb it while replacing or changing your landscaping or remodeling your home.
Keep food sources away from your foundation. A stack of firewood leaning against a wall or a pile of mulch in contact with your foundation gives termites an engraved invitation to set up housekeeping. Keep wood well away from your home, pull mulch back at least a few inches from walls, remove any plant material that’s decaying, and prune back tree and shrub branches to keep from giving termites a highway into your home.
Seal access points. This is good advice for preventing all types of pest problems. Inspect your home a couple of times a year for openings around doors and windows, and points where cable or other utilities come into your home. Take time to seal even the smallest cracks and holes, and you’ll be well on your way to keeping pest populations down.
Do I need termite control if my home was pre-treated when it was built?
Newly or recently built homes are likely to have been treated before or during the construction process to satisfy lending requirements. The termiticides applied to new homes creates a barrier that keeps subterranean termites from reaching the structure’s wood elements, but does not provide any protection against drywood termites or termite species that have a flying stage in their development cycle.
Pre-construction termite treatments may last from two to five years, but if treated soil is disturbed or blends with untreated soil during landscaping, the barrier can be compromised. For these reasons, it’s always smart to have your home regularly inspected to ensure it stays protected from all types of destructive, wood-destroying pests.
Do you offer termite extermination in my Phoenix neighborhood?
We serve the pest control needs of residents and business owners in Chandler, Glendale, Gilbert, Mesa, Surprise, Tempe, Scottsdale, and other parts of the greater Phoenix Metro area. Please contact us online or give us a call for details on all of our service areas.
Do I have to have an inspection before getting an estimate for termite extermination?
One of the many advantages of having Green Home Pest Control take care of your pest control needs is that we customize our services to your needs. No two homeowners’ termite problems are the same; you may have subterranean termites while someone else on your street has drywood termites, or your neighbor may have a more serious infestation than you do.
After a complete inspection by one of our trained termite technicians, we will be able to provide you with a detailed estimate and a comprehensive plan for exterminating the termites and preventing a reinfestation. Our estimates are free, and there’s no obligation or fine print.
Can I get rid of termites myself?
You may be able to get rid of a few termites if you see them, such as those that swarm during certain times of the year, by spraying. The problem is that for every individual termite you see, there can be several thousand you can’t see. A mature termite queen can lay thousands of eggs every year, and some termite colonies can have up to a million termites. DIY termite control rarely gets rid of a termite infestation for good. Over-the-counter pesticides and poisons may be taken back to the nest and kill some colony members, but they won’t take care of termites in every life cycle stage, such as eggs and larvae.
Other DIY options, such as orange oil and cardboard traps, have the same problems; they don’t completely eradicate a colony. Since termites can cause damage that’s hard to spot until it’s become extensive, it’s important to call a professional at the first sign of trouble. It’s the best way to protect your investment in your home.
What termite extermination services do you provide in Phoenix?
Green Home Pest Control‘s termite experts provide the following services and more:
- A complete termite inspection of your property, inside and out
- Location of colonies and nesting sites
- Location of entry points into your home
- Identification of the specific type of termites you have
- Development of a customized treatment plan
- Application of liquid termite treatments to establish a barrier around your home’s foundation
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