The longer you wait the more damage is done!
Below you’ll find answers to common termite control questions. If you’d rather speak with an Ecola expert, we’re happy to answer your questions, offer basic guidance and even send a technician to your home for a free inspection.
Termites look similar to flying ants, except they have elongated bodies rather than separated body parts. Termites have a straight waist and antennae, plus two pairs of wings that are equal in size.
In Southern California, we deal mostly with two types of termites: Subterranean and Drywood. Subterranean termites live within the ground and travel to your home structure in mud tunnels. Drywood termites live in the wood and produce small round pellets that resemble coffee grounds.
Watch Sue and Tyson answer common questions on termites:
If you spot any of these signs, call a trusted professional to treat your property right away. Quick action is critical to limit damage.
Left alone, termites can chow down on wood and other cellulose-based materials like books, tree roots, furniture, and more. The damage can even compromise your home structure.
Termite damage usually isn’t covered by your homeowners’ insurance, so an infestation can also eat through your finances. If there’s structural damage to your home, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in damage. One of our customers spent tens of thousands of dollars to have the second story of his home raised to replace damaged wood on the first story. That’s a worst-case scenario, but any damage scenario isn’t something you want to face.
Bottom line: Avoid costly damage by engaging professional help as soon as you suspect termites.
Drywood termites enter your home by finding damaged or unfinished wood, then burrowing a hole into it and starting a colony. Replacing previously damaged wood and applying two coats of quality paint to all wood surfaces is an excellent preventive measure. Sealing and caulking the cut ends of fascia (trim boards) also helps prevent the entry of drywood termites.
Different termite species require different solutions. To determine the right treatment, we’ll need to know what type of termites you’re dealing with.
Fumigation is one option to get rid of termites. Eco-friendly, non-chemical alternatives include heat or electricity treatments. In many cases, the Electro Gun is an effective treatment that uses no harmful chemicals. Instead, it uses high-frequency, high-voltage electricity to penetrate wood and flow into termite galleries and nests, killing them.
Since the Electro Gun uses no chemicals, you don’t have to move out of your home or remove items like food, plants and clothing during treatment. Plus, there’s no residual damage to animals, humans, plants or aspects of your home like your roof.
With multiple locations and decades of service, chances are we’ve served some of your neighbors! Below are locations we service:
Expenses relating to termite control fall into three categories: prevention, eradication, and damage to your home. The national average costs for eradicating termites in a 2,500 sq.ft. house run from about $800 for bait treatments, $1,500 for liquid treatments, $2,500 for heat treatments, and up to $3,000 for fumigation.
Depending on the extent of the infestation, repair might require opening walls and flooring to replace damaged home foundations, furniture, or other affected items. The national average expense for a homeowner who discovers termite damage is $3,000.
It pays to act quickly: When infestations are caught early, the damage is localized and much less severe. We invite you to take advantage of Ecola’s free pest control inspections to help you discern what you’re dealing with and how to move forward.
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