Pests That Destroy Homes Across The United States

It is nearly impossible to reach an end with the number of species of pests around the world; they invade homes and create a ruckus almost regularly. However, not all pests are as equally problematic as one another, across all geographical locations. For instance, if one of the bugs is particularly notorious in the Southern part of the country, it might not be as worrisome in the North. 

The most common types of house pests in the USA ranked are termites, ants, rodents, earwigs, millipedes, paper wasps, fleas, and bees. Out of all of these pests, termites are regarded as one of the most destructive pests that have ever been alive to wreak havoc. Although they are indeed biologically indispensable as far as enhancing the ecological cycle of the forest, termites are probably the world’s most hazardous, major home destructors. They live in cooperative groups. It is difficult for homeowners to distinguish them from ants. It becomes very difficult to detect termites, as their presence only becomes known through the damage they inflict upon the hardware of the house. According to researches, termites cause losses worth several billions of dollars every year, and homeowners spend billions dollars to get rid of the pests.

How can homeowners prevent and exterminate termites? 

In order to prevent an attack from termites, homeowners must be able to spot and differentiate them from ants. Unlike ants, the wings of termites are almost equal in length and their antennae are mostly straight. 

To prevent termite infestation, one must be ensured that the soil around the foundation of their house is dry after construction and allows proper drainage. Also, the openings around the structure should be reduced as it furnishes the pests with easy access into the building. Vents that have some kind of blockage and leaks around the building must be fixed at the earliest. Most importantly, the premises of the house should be kept free of wood or firewood debris. 

Brown Firewood
Photo by Paula from Pexels

For the extermination of termites, there are chemical treatments and non-chemical treatments. In order to apply chemical treatments, the pest control company must only use those products that are reviewed and permitted by law, so as to not inflict any health risks or harms to the environment. Some of the government-approved chemical treatments include wood treatments, termite baits, liquid soil-applied pesticides, and termiticides. 

For non-chemical treatments, homeowners must be sure to remove easy food sources that the termites could be possibly feeding on. Following this, the most popular solution for eliminating them is to build a tall barrier similar to a waterproof membrane across the foundation of the house. As it isn’t easy for the termites to move through the sandy soil, establishing a barrier can relatively slow down these pests.  Sand granules of comparatively larger size and steel mesh are effective barriers against colonies of termites.

You may find it hard to believe that creatures so small and quiet can cause so much destruction. If you have been infested by termites, call a licensed exterminator immediately.

Investigate and exterminate—do not procrastinate!

For anyone living in the United States, one of the most common problems you should never overlook is a termite infestation. Plenty of skeptical homeowners might see it as a problem to leave to deal with for another day, but that is simply not the case. Without a doubt, termites are one of the most frustrating pests that you could have at home. That is why we implore you to stop procrastinating, and address the issue head on. We urge you take its potential severity with the utmost seriousness.

Typically, you will find three particular forms of termites living in your property. These include the drywood termite, the dampwood termite, and the subterranean termite. Naturally, all three can be quite a problem for the average homeowner. While the most common and arguably the most destructive are subterranean and drywood termites, all types are damaging in their own particular way. Sadly, many homeowners only begin to look into the problems that a potential infestation could cause when it is too late. 

How termites destroy your home

Many times, the damage can remain hidden until it is already going to cost you thousands of dollars in repair fees and costs. The problem with termite damage is that it usually cannot be spotted without having some kind of prior knowledge. That is why it is important for homeowners to understand the behaviours of termites.

The University of Florida found that it took just three weeks for a young colony of only 2,000 termites to eat through an entire small wooden replica of a home. The average colony consists of tens of thousands of termites, and they can eat through inches of your home in a matter of weeks. When a house’s structure is extensively damaged, it can become entirely unsuitable for living in.

Termites thrive on the moisture in your home, which means that they will keep on eating so long as there is moisture. Be sure to pay particular attention to any parts of your home that might have some kind of structural dampness. However, the overall conundrum is that termites damage your home by silently but significantly tearing through the foundations and eating them, making it hard to solve the problem affordably. 

Brown Wooden Panel Beside Concrete Board

Should you get annual termite inspections?

Yes, absolutely. One of the best decisions that you can make this year would be to invest in some kind of pest control protection against Sierra Madre termites. You should look to book your annual infestation examination immediately. Annual tests are useful as they can spot the problem year-in, year-out, making sure that any termites that are invading your home are found before they cause any kind of sizeable damage. The longer that you wait, the more likely it is that the problem will be severe. Annual investigations carried out by local experts are extremely important.

Are there some exterminators who are looking to fumigate the entire home (when a spot treatment will do just fine) simply to get paid by the hour? Sure—but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a trustworthy exterminator who will give you an honest inspection and specialized spot treatment. We highly recommend Grand Oaks Termite Control for their excellent reputation and integrity. If you spot any signs of a termite infestation, make sure that you call in the experts and get the problem resolved right away!

Grand Oaks Termite Control
110 S Worthy Dr, Glendora, CA 91741, United States

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Killing Termites With Integrity

Termites are wood-eating insects. These critters have the ability to turn your house into their own grand banquet feast. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reports that every year, termites cause over $5 billion in property damage. Who should you turn to if you think you think your house may be infested?

In 2014, Specialty Products Consultants, LLC reported that there were over 19,000 companies in the industry (A Strategic Analysis of the U.S. Structural Pest Control Industry – 2014). We reviewed Grand Oaks Termite Control, a business that offers inspection and treatments. They were established in 2013 and service the Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pasadena region.

Grand Oaks Termite Control conducts thorough and detailed termite inspection in San Dimas. NPMA reports that pests “contaminate food, as well as kitchen equipment and other surfaces. Pests also infest food items and stored products including grains and dry goods.”

Grand Oaks promises competitive termite inspection and treatment costs. They also offer excellent customer service, as demonstrated by their stellar ratings and reviews on Yelp. One reviewer mentioned that Grand Oaks beat out other providers on price. In addition, she states that the company was an excellent communicator throughout the entire process.

Read Julia A.‘s review of Grand Oaks Termite Control on Yelp

The company offers different types of treatments depending on the severity of the infestation. They offer localize and full perimeter treatments for subterranean infestations. According to NPMA, subterranean termites eat non-stop, and are therefore the most destructive species of termite in the country.

Grand Oaks offers a regular inspection program, which allows home owners to proactively take preventative measures against possible termite infestation and subsequent damage.

Photo of Grand Oaks Termite Control - Glendora, CA, United States

We always look to review companies who are known to provide accurate information and full transparency in order to act in best interest of their customers. We believe that professional integrity includes not taking advantage of worrisome situations just for the sake of profit. In the case of exterminator services, it is very difficult for the average home owner to understand the extent of the problem. Therefore, they are completely reliant on the information provided to them by the inspector. In these situations, there is no way to know if the company is giving a home owner exaggerated claims about the inspection in order to take advantage of their concern and willingness to save their house.

However, Grand Oaks boasts a strong reputation of honesty and track record of service. The owner started the company after seeing too many instances of poor industry practices. One reviewer mentions how worried she was about her entire home being infested. Luckily, Grand Oaks determined that to not be the case and was able provided a fair quote. Moreover, they were able to treat the affected area in an hour.

Read Carina Z.‘s review of Grand Oaks Termite Control on Yelp

We highly recommended that you give Grand Oaks Termite Control a call if you believe that your home has a termite infestation.

Grand Oaks Termite Control
110 S Worthy Dr, Glendora, CA 91741, United States