Termites are scary little critters because of their ability to cause serious damage to your home. One termite infestation can create damage to your home that can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Termites are active throughout the United States and can be subterranean, drywood, or dampwood termites. All three categories of termites exist in California which means that homeowners in this area must be diligent with termite treatment and prevention efforts. If you are concerned about the possibility of termites, there are a few things you can do to determine if you have termites and what type of treatment is necessary. There are several different treatment options for termites but the most comprehensive option is structural fumigation.
Look for signs of termite activity
Before you can decide if your home needs structural fumigation you need to first determine if you have an infestation. You can start this process by looking for signs of termite activity. One easy to spot sign of termite activity is the mud tube. Subterranean termites create mud tubes to move back and forth between moisture-rich soil and their food source. These tubes can look brown or tan in color and spread out like tiny roads on surfaces. The most likely places to spot mud tubes are near the foundation of your home or in the crawl space. If you see mud tubes it is a sign that there is or once was a termite infestation in your home. Another sign of termite activity you can look out for is frass. Frass is often confused for saw dust but it is actually excrement from the termites. You can also explore your crawl space for actual termites and termite carcasses. If you discover any of these signs of termite activity your home likely needs some type of termite treatment – potentially structural fumigation.
Look for evidence of termite damage
Another way to determine if you have termites and need fumigation is to look for evidence of termite damage. Termite damage can cause wood to look wavy and sound hollow when tapped. Severe termite damage can also cause wood to look like it is deteriorating or disintegrating. Termites are not the only thing that can cause damage to wood but they are common. If you see widespread damage to the wood of your home then structural fumigation may be necessary.
Get a professional termite inspection
The best way to determine if your home needs structural fumigation is by getting the help of a professional. A termite pro can inspect your home and accurately identify signs of termite activity and damage. The inspector will be able to determine if you have an active infestation and will assess the severity of the damage. Once the inspection is complete, you can discuss which treatment option is best for your home.
The process of structural fumigation is an effective option for eliminating termites. There are other treatment options as well that are not as invasive as fumigation. The pros at San Joaquin Pest Control in Visalia can help you determine exactly what your home needs in order to get rid of the termites and stop further damage.
