Termites are a terrifying subject. They eat your home from the inside out and can go undetected for years or even decades. They devour the wood that is so imperative to the structural integrity of your home. These tiny, little insects cause some of the most destructive damage imaginable, and they are much more common than most assume. In fact, one in every five homes in Northern California has either already experienced or will experience a termite infestation at some point. Those are not odds that we would be willing to bet against.
There are plenty of preventative measures that you can take in your home such as not allowing standing water to pool in your yard or ensuring that your basement and attic are dry and that the ventilation systems are working properly. However, the best preventative measure you can take is to hire a Sacramento pest control company that can inspect for termites and treat your home to ensure there are no future infestations.
If you would like to prevent a termite infestation in your home or suspect you may already have one, contact Earthwise Pest Management today. We also specialize in pest control for ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, rodents, spiders, wasps, and more.
When Is Termite Season in Sacramento?
While termites can cause damage all year round, their swarming seasons are spring and summer, with some species swarming all the way into the fall. While preferences vary a bit between species — some thrive with moisture and some without — the spring throughout early fall provides enough variance for each species found in Sacramento to thrive.
What Types of Termites Will I Find in Sacramento?
There are about 45 different species of termites that can be found across the United States, but all of these species fit into three types of termites. Two of these types of termites are commonly found in Sacramento: subterranean termites and drywood termites. Both termites can cause a detrimental amount of damage to homes, businesses, and any other types of wooden structures. If you live in Sacramento, it’s imperative that you understand these two different types of termites so you can learn how to protect your home.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are common in many areas of the country. Specifically, subterranean formosan termites are the most common type found in Sacramento as well as western subterranean. They thrive in high-moisture environments. Their swarming season is spring into summer. They eat away the internal sections of trees and wood, so an infestation is not obvious to the eye. An advanced subterranean termite infestation will leave wood hollow.
Drywood Termites
While these termites are not quite as common as subterranean termites in Sacramento, your home can still be at risk and these termites can cause even more damage to wooden structures. Their swarming season is summer into fall. As the name implies, drywood termites do not need moisture to survive. These termites typically enter in through the ends of wood, rather than the sides so they are most commonly found in poorly constructed buildings and structures.
How Can I Prevent Termites?
While the best and most effective way to prevent termites is to employ a professional Sacramento pest control company, there are plenty of things that you can do around your home to keep these pests away as well.
- Do not leave unused timber or wood in your yard, ensure that firewood is at least 20 feet away from your home and five inches off the ground.
- Ensure there is no standing water in your yard.
- Do not allow wood direct contact with the ground, instead use concrete bases on wooden items around your house.
- Ensure proper ventilation of your basement, attics, and crawl spaces.
- Inspect any wooden furniture before you bring it into your home.
- Seal up any internal or external cracks in your home.
What Do I Do If I Suspect I Have a Termite Infestation?
If you suspect that you have a termite infestation, you should contact a professional, experienced Sacramento pest control company. Termites can quickly do an extensive amount of expensive damage to your home, so they need to be eradicated as soon as possible. Every day that goes by without treatment, the termite infestation will get bigger and bigger. In fact, queen termites can produce 2,000 eggs each day. If you suspect that you have a termite infestation, contact Earthwise Pest Management in Sacramento today.
Hire the Sacramento Pest Control Experts
Termites can do a considerable amount of damage to a home very quickly, and they are more common than you think. One in every five homes in Northern California will be or has been infested by termites. Whether you want to prevent a future termite infestation or suspect that you may have a current pest problem, contact Earthwise Pest Management in Sacramento today.