Why does my home have termites? And why is a termite inspection important?
“Why does my home have termites?” That’s a question many California homeowners have asked over the years when they find out that destructive termites have invaded their home, causing thousands of dollars of structural damage.
Clark, your neighborly pest control, lawn care, and termite control expert, sat down with Juan Rodarte, service manager of Clark Pest Control’s WDO department in the Salinas branch, to get answers to these important questions.
There are three major reasons termites are present in homes:
- Inadequate maintenance
- Weather
- Swarming season
Not keeping up with basic home maintenance tasks – loose caulk, cracking paint, inadequate landscape practices, and improperly adjusted sprinkler heads – can lead to conditions favorable to termites.
How can water damage and poor maintenance practices attract termites? This photo, taken by a Clark termite inspector, illustrates how not having correct drainage to remove water and moisture from the building and siding can create a conducive condition that may invite termites into your home.
In this photo , a customer needed to have the wood siding on his home 
repaired because of water damage. After his landscaper adjusted the sprinkler heads, there were no more issues.
Weather is another factor that determines the level of termite pressure around your home. If you live in an area that receives lots of rain and you don’t have proper drainage, it will create moisture issues that can attract termites.
The final reason why termites are present in your home is swarming season, when reproductives become active. When hotter weather hits California, termites ready to mate will swarm from fences, dead trees, old tree stumps, and other homes that have active infestations.
Why is a termite inspection important? The goal of a professional termite inspection is to address customer concerns and answer questions about termites and termite damage in the customer’s home.
Clark Pest Control’s highly trained termite inspectors start inside a home and go through every bedroom and bathroom to check for water stains and leaks.
Once they are done inside, Clark’s inspectors move outside to probe exterior wood and check the condition of the home. The inspectors will look for missing caulking, cracks in the stucco, and areas that need repair or maintenance. They’ll also look at the landscaping around the home and note overgrown shrubs, trees, and plants that touch the structure, because these are often hiding spots for termites.
The final stop on the inspection is the attic and crawlspace. In crawlspaces, inspectors will examine every corner of the structure. They will check under plumbing and look for water leaks and stains, and they’ll look for mud tubes (a subterranean termite’s route into a home) and check joints in the foundation for evidence of termite activity.
This is why having a regular termite inspection – at least every three years – at your property is important. Recommendations from Clark’s termite inspection reports are an easy way to prevent damage before it happens, and they’ll help keep your house up and going for years to come!
Be sure to ask about Clark Pest Control’s exclusive Termite Infestation Protection (T.I.P.) program, which is designed to cover your home from future infestations and damages. A full termite inspection must be performed to see if your home qualifies, and then – for a small monthly fee – you can avoid costly out-of-pocket treatment and repair expenses. It’s a great way to have peace of mind today while saving you money and headaches later.
Is your home overdue for a termite inspection? Pest control has been declared an essential service during the COVID-19 crisis by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and California’s trusted pest management expert, Clark, is ready to serve you. Call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or send an email to clarkcares@clarkpest.com with your termite and pest questions.
Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.
Stay safe and be well.