The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause over $5 billion in property damage annually in the U.S. If you, like millions of other Americans, fear that termites or other wood-boring insects are causing damage to your home or place of business, take action now. At Wall 2 Wall Property Inspections, we are trained to detect active infestations and identify signs of structural damage.
Are All Termites the Same?
There are three main types of termites found in California: subterranean termites, drywood termites, and dampwood termites. Dampwood termites, as the name suggests, live in moist wood, including stumps, fallen trees, wet mulch, and homes with moisture problems. Drywood termites, on the other hand, live in dry conditions and require very little moisture to survive. Subterranean termites are the most prevalent kind of termite in California, as they live and breed in the soil.
Termite Damage
No matter the species, all termites are destructive and leave behind tell-tale signs of infestation. Dampwood termites, for example, leave behind large, open caverns in damp wood and signify moisture and/or wood decay in wooden structures. Drywood termites cut across the grain of wood and leave behind a system of tunnels filled with fecal pellets. Subterranean termites are the most destructive termites in California; the damage they cause lurks beneath the surface and only becomes noticeable after the damage is severe.
Signs of an Infestation
If you notice that the wood in your home is thin and rotting, you are the victim of extreme termite damage. Wingsheds, mud tunnels, tiny round holes in wood, and piles of sawdust are also indicative of termite damage. If you remove mud tunnels or thinning pieces of wood and see termites, you definitely have an active infestation.
Request an Inspection
Before hiring a pest control company to treat your home for termites, we recommend scheduling a termite inspection with our team at Wall 2 Wall. Our certified inspectors will determine if you have an active termite infestation and which species is present; this, in turn, determines what kind of treatment your home will require. To schedule a pest and termite inspection for your home in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County, schedule online or contact us at (888) 991-9255.
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