To prevent termites in California from destroying your house, prevention is key. The good news for California homeowners is that there are many ways to prevent termite infestation in California.
Detection can be difficult since termites are hidden underground and in wood. But the question is: “How do you prevent termites in California?”
Termite prevention in California starts before home construction and continues after. Proper lawn maintenance, reducing moisture and clutter around your home, can deter termites. Based on my research, controlling moisture inside your home is an effective termite prevention method in California.
In California, termites are one of the most destructive pests. Termite prevention should be a top priority for all California homeowners, even though prevention doesn’t always work. Unfortunately, often the best termite prevention requires professional termite control in California. The only way to effectively prevent termites from invading your home is to understand the termite threat and resulting termite damage.
California Termite Season
The termite season in California is year-round. Unlike in some other states, termites are a constant problem in California. That’s partly because of California’s climate. California’s hot, humid, and wet weather is ideal for termites.
Each year, starting in March, large swarms of subterranean termites swarm in California. California has the most termite species in the U.S. So, you can expect to see large swarms of various types of termites from early spring through summer. Although during summer months you will, California homeowners will see flying termites, swarming termites are possible year-round.
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What type of termite causes the most damage in California?
California is home to three types of termites: Subterranean, Drywood, and Dampwood. All homes are at risk of termite damage. The best approach is to look for the early signs of termite damage. But the Subterranean termites cause the most damage to California homes.
How bad are termites in California?
The termite problem in California is extremely bad. Termites are extremely destructive. These pests will destroy virtually anything that contains cellulose.
According to experts, one in ten California homes is termite damaged. If you live in California, getting rid of termites can feel like an uphill battle, especially when dealing with huge colonies.
If you have ever had to deal with a termite infestation, you know that getting rid of termites can feel nearly impossible. But, if you live in California, your house is at risk of costly termite damage.
If there is a Subterranean or Dampwood termite colony in your California home, you have an infestation where termites are actively building nests in and under your home. And because termites are so good at hiding, they are difficult to detect before they damage your house.
What is a Drywood termite?
Drywood termites are very common in California. They are similar to Subterranean termites but not as harmful. These termites build nest-like structures, called chambers, to burrow into the house’s wood structure.
Drywood termites become active from April through October. Unfortunately, a single termite can start a new termite colony.
Drywood Termites in California
Drywood termites are the most common termites in California. These termites live inside garages, walls, and attics. They nest within the wood structure of your house. Drywood termites are especially common in the coastal communities in the southern half of California.
But, this pest is also common in other parts of the southwestern United States.
Central California Termites
Central California is home to several termite species, such as drywood, subterranean, and dampwood. The most common termites in central California are:
- Formosan termite
- California dampwood termite
- Eastern subterranean termite
- Cryptotermes drywood termite
Because central California has warm temperatures all year long, termites quickly reproduce. The termites in the area begin infesting before spring, making central California homeowners susceptible to termite infestations year-round.
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How to get rid of termites in California?
Getting rid of termites in California is critical because the longer you have termites, the more damage they cause. Because of California’s climate, homes are at constant risk of termite damage. When dealing with a termite infestation, you might ask: “Can you get rid of termites without tenting?”
Unlike in other U.S. states, the termite season in California is a year-round challenge. Although any termite infestation can result in costly damage, Subterranean termites cause the greatest property damage in California homes.
While there are steps you can take to prevent termites in California, it’s best to have your property inspected for termites annually by a trained termite control professional. The pest control company you call should be able to identify early signs of termite infestation. A trained termite control professional can locate points of access that aren’t immediately apparent to the untrained eye.
How to keep termites away in California?
Are you concerned about termites in California? Termite control professionals know how to check your house and surrounding areas for termites. A termite control professional can provide a strategy to help remove termite infestations. Pest control can also help with termite prevention measures.
Can concrete block (CBS) homes in California get termites?
Concrete block homes in California get termites. If you live in a CBS house in California, termites are still a real threat. Termites get inside the house through cracks. Once inside, termites consume any wood inside the house.
Termites Swarming in California
All termite species swarm in California. Each year, March through June, the Formosan termites swarm. It is the most most destructive termite in California. The massive termite colonies cause costly wood damage. According to experts, Formosan termites can consume up to three pounds of wood in a single day.
Asian Subterranean termites in California swarm every year, between March and May. They cause massive wood damage to California homes. Mostly, subterranean termites are significantly more destructive than Dampwood or Drywood termites due to their colony sizes.
California’s native termites, the Eastern Subterranean termite, swarm from November through May. You can see them swarm during the day since they are attracted to light.
During the summer months, the Dark Southeastern Subterranean termites swarm. Like the Eastern Subterranean termites, the Dark Southeastern termites swarm during daytime hours. Moist conditions, tree stumps, and mulch along your home’s foundation attracts Dark Southeastern termites.
Termites in California
The economic impact of termites is more than $5 billion in the United States, much of which is in California. Subterranean termites cause about 80% of the damage in California.
Your home is one of the largest investments you make in your life, so don’t let termites destroy it. Termite prevention should be a top priority for California homeowners. An annual termite inspection will ensure that you are protecting your home from costly termite damage.
Why are California termites difficult to control?
California termites are difficult to control because they live in large colonies.
How many termites are in a colony?
Depending on the species, a termite colony can have millions of members. Their foraging territory can cover more than one acre, so one colony can infest several homes.
How to get rid of subterranean termites?
There are two ways to get rid of subterranean termites. First, you can get rid of termites during construction. The pest control industry refers to this as “pre-construction” termite control.
The other method is “post-construction” subterranean termite control. Both methods will help you get rid of subterranean termites in California.
The application of liquid soil termiticides is the most common method to get rid of termites. This termite control method is effective for pre-construction and post-construction. The amount of termiticide applied will vary by soil type, area to be treated, and product label.
The pest control professional must know building construction and equipment to apply the required quantity of termiticide. Depending on the home, drilling of concrete block walls or slabs may be necessary.
There are two types of liquid termiticides, repellent and non-repellent chemistries. But even non-repellent termiticides can be repellent if applied in large enough concentrations.
