Termites are sometimes referred to as an invisible enemy of your home. Termites eat wood from the inside out. Therefore, they can go completely undetected for years. By the time you see outward evidence, they have probably already established themselves in your home for quite sometime.
In the United States alone termites cause more damage to homes than hurricanes, floods and fires combined.
What kind of termites generally infest homes?
Most common species of termites in the Bay Area are Drywood termites and Subterranean termites.
Western Drywood termite
Drywood termites infest and colonize in dry wood .It can be your house, fence, deck or just about any other wood attached to or abutting your home.
There are literally thousands of entry points where termites can enter a structure.
The evidence of Drywood termites are piles or sprinklings of sandy colored loose granular droppings which is actual termite fecal matter. They eat , digest and poop out the cellulose/wood they have eaten. They colonize within the framing and spread once a year during the hot summer and fall months. The termites that can be seen are the adult reproductives that swarm out of the infested areas. Sometimes if an area of the house is being remodeled or repairs are being performed, the workers and soldiers in the colony can be seen in the framing.
How do I eradicate them?
Tent fumigation is the most proven and effective method of eradication. Fumigations have been performed for over 50 years using Vikane gas, a structural fumigant. Some options for localized treatments are available but they are considered to be substandard and not always 100% effective.
Subterranean termite
Subterranean termites nest in the soil under and around structures. They prefer damp soil conditions and enter structures my means of a mud shelter tube that they build out of dirt and saliva. Once they find an entry point into a structure the workers in the colony build the tube to shelter them from other predatory insects and they go up and down in that mud tube feasting on the structures wood framing. They bring the cellulose back down to the colony in the ground to feed the other members in the colony. The colony can be as far away as 50 feet from the home they are infesting. Colonies can have anywhere from a couple thousand members to millions and can cause serious damage to a structure. All they need is a small access point of 1/32 to gain entry into a structure.
What is the method of treatment?
Soil treatments are the standard method of eradicating and controlling subterranean termite infestations. We apply a termiticide to the soil under and around structures at all possible entry points. We prefer using Terimidor SC , a proven and highly effective termiticide with a 10 year plus residual effect.
How much does it cost to get rid of termites?
The cost to eradicate either Drywood termites or Subterranean termites varies upon the size of the structure and the method of treatment .
Our licensed inspectors will identify the infestation and provide an estimate for a treatment for your particular situation that will ensure that your home will be free of termites for years.
Tyler Termite Control Inc. treatments are guaranteed for 3 or 5 years depending on the specific treatment required.
