California Remains a Termite Hot Spot

California is one of the states that is most affected by termite infestation. A recent study based on Metropolitan Statistical Area analysis says that Los Angeles is the city most affected and it is closely followed by San Jose, San Diego and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario. Termites have been a long-standing problem in the state and the recent changes in weather patterns which have resulted in warmer and wetter weather, often at unusual times of the year, have caused a sharp rise in the number and volume of termite swarms in the state. While the extent of termite damage to a home can vary greatly, some estimates put the average cost of repairing the damage at about $8,000 per home. This comes from the homeowner’s pocket as most insurance plans do not cover termite damage. Termites cause $5 billion in damage each year across the U.S.

Protect Your Home

Termites are insidious creatures. They sneak into a home and do a lot of damage before the homeowner realizes that it is happening. Just because a home has never had a termite problem it does not mean that one cannot develop suddenly and unexpectedly. Regular inspection and action to remove the pests by a professional termite control company is the best way to keep your home, and the valuables in it, safe. In addition, the homeowner should keep an eye open for any signs of termites being present in or near the house. The most common of these are:

• Discarded insect wings lying near doors, on windowsills or on the ground below windows.
• Termite dropping anywhere in the house. These resemble coarse sawdust or coffee grounds. It is easy to mistake this for dirt or mud. When in doubt, consult a termite control specialist.
• Thin tubes of mud, usually pencil sized, that appear on wooden surfaces or walls.
• Dark spots or blistering on wooden surfaces.
• Any areas behind or under walls, floors and other structural surfaces that give off a hollow sound when tapped. The hollowness is caused by the termites eating away at the cellulose material below the surface.

Doing these inspections takes time and it is easy to miss out on the signs of termite infestation. Even if they are found, often the signs of possible damage are so small as to leave the homeowner uncertain as to whether or not there is a problem. When in doubt, it is better not to take chances or delay in dealing with termites, which can result in thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. Professional termite control is essential.

When weighed against the potential damage that termites can cause, the price of regular termite inspection, which can be surprisingly inexpensive, is worth the cost. The warranty that the best companies offer provides the homeowner with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their home is protected, and that they do not have to worry about damage and repair costs.