Living in Southern California comes with many perks, from amazing year-round weather to beaches that are perfect for catching waves. But one not-so-amazing “perk” of living in San Diego is the presence of termites, which are an unfortunate reality homeowners need to be aware of. Here’s how to get rid of termites in San Diego in case you find them surfing into your home.
Termite Treatment Options in San Diego
Termites love warm, moist environments, making San Diego a popular place for them to settle. Knowledge of the different types of treatment options is one of several ways you can get a leg up on keeping termites from making your home their breakfast buffet.
Liquid Termiticide
This standard treatment method can be quite invasive as it may require drilling through a porch, patio, or adjacent slab of concrete. Pest control technicians place the chemical inside holes created around the perimeter of your property. Liquid termiticide is available as a repellent or non-repellent chemical.
Pros
- Commonly available
- Lasting solution
Cons
- Treatment can be invasive
- Technicians may need to drill
Pro Tip: Termiticides are also available as dusts or foams.
Bait Termiticide
This popular treatment is a slow, but effective, way to eliminate subterranean termites. Technicians place bait stations in the ground around the perimeter of your property. These stations contain poisoned cellulose that attracts termites, enticing them to consume the bait unawares.
They will then return to their termite nests to spread the poison to the rest of their colony. Termites also leave behind a colony-specific scent that will help lead more termites to the bait station to continue circulating the poison.
This is not a fast process. It requires patience and can take months before you begin to see an effect. The slow process also means technicians will need to make more visits to monitor and replenish the bait stations, which contributes to a higher treatment cost.
Pros
- More eco-friendly than liquids
- Painless installation
- Not as invasive as liquids
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Efficacy is slower than liquid termiticides
- Additional monitoring required
Fumigation (Tenting)
The most extreme termite treatment is fumigation, also known as “tenting.” For this reason, termite tenting is saved for the most extreme or whole-home infestations. This highly effective method also requires residents to vacate the home for several days during the treatment.
Fumigation is often referred to as “tenting” because an air-tight tent is placed over the home. A gas fumigant is then pumped into the home and left for at least 24 hours. During this time, the fumigant seeps into every pore inside the home to seek out and kill any pest in its path.
Pros
- Kills all pests, not just termites
- Most effective type of treatment
Cons
- Multi-day process
- Most expensive option
- Home must be vacated for at least 24 hours
Bonus: Fumigation is effective on all termite types inside your home. However, you will need to use a second treatment method if you have subterranean termites. Fumigation will not reach the termites hiding inside their nest in the soil.
Heat Treatment
For those looking for a more family-friendly, chemical-free method, heat may be available as a treatment option. Heaters are used to heat the infested area to a lethal 120 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 33 minutes.
Often used for spot treatments in areas like attics, heat is also a popular option for condos and apartments since nearby units may not be affected by termites if the infestation is localized.
Heat may seem like the perfect alternative to chemicals, but unfortunately, it does have a few limitations. For instance, it can be difficult to heat wood in contact with concrete or tile to a lethal level.
Pros
- Free of toxic chemicals
- Faster to execute than fumigation
- Often used for spot treatment
Cons
- Efficacy varies
- Heating wood to lethal temperatures is often difficult
- Proper protocols must be followed to avoid heat damage to some objects
Non-Chemical Treatments
As a state that often tries to set an example for the rest of the country with eco-friendly ways of living, Californians are constantly looking for chemical-free ways to treat termites. While researchers have made great strides in finding new ways to treat termites, the following three methods are limited to use with drywood termites only.
Freeze: Liquid nitrogen is injected into the areas of the home infested with termites. This will in turn freeze them to death.
Microwave: Pest control technicians use microwave technology to “cook” the wood-eaters and kill them.
Electrocute: A machine called an Electro-Gun combines high-frequency and high-voltage electrical currents to “fry” the termites.
Pros
- Free of harmful chemicals
- Spot treatment
- Takes only a few hours to complete the process
Cons
- Only effective for drywood termites
- Severe infestations require a different method
- Harder to find companies that offer alternatives to traditional methods
Signs of Termites in San Diego
Since the nature of termites and their activities are widely unseen to humans, it can often be difficult for the average person to recognize they have termites slowly eating away at their home. But if you know what to look for, then you will be able to see the signs of a termite infestation and know to call an exterminator immediately.
- Piles of termite wings: Homeowners may find termite wings that accumulate on windowsills or near doors. Swarmer termites discard their wings upon landing after finding a mate.
- Cracked, bubbling, or peeling paint: When you see this, check if the wood is soft. If you confirm it is soft, call a professional termite company to come inspect the area for termites.
- Termite Droppings: A common sign of drywood termites, pellet droppings may resemble small piles of salt or pepper.
- Damaged flooring: Termites don’t discriminate when it comes to devouring subflooring. Whether you have carpeting, tile, hardwood, or even laminate, termites will no doubt be attracted to the soft wood the subflooring underneath your floors is commonly made from. Read more about this topic in our guide: “Termite Damage in Wood Floors.”
- Damaged wood: Generally, you are unlikely to see termite damage, so try doing a tap test. If the wood sounds hollow, call a termite specialist for a termite inspection. Drywood termites are also known for damaging wood by leaving behind pinpoint holes where they kick their droppings out of these holes.
- Mud tubes: Subterranean termites create these pencil-sized tubes to travel between their nest and their food source. Mud tubes are also a way to protect them from predators as well as maintain an optimal environment.
Types of Termites in San Diego
Californians have to deal with all three types of termites: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. Within each type of termite exists a caste system where every termite serves an important function within the colony: worker, soldier, and reproductives/swarmers.
Subterranean
Often referred to as the “super termite,” Formosan subterranean termites create large colonies and can wreak havoc on your home in a short amount of time, therefore giving the species its nickname. The Formosan is also one of the common species of termites found in the San Diego area but is mostly limited to the city and is not widely found throughout California.
The western subterranean termite is another species found throughout the state and is known to be the most destructive termite in California.
Subterranean physical characteristics:
- 1/8 to 1 inch long
- White to reddish, black, or brown
Drywood
These termites inhabit dry wood and are most prevalent in Southern California, including the desert areas. They have also been found all along the coast as well as in the Central Valley. Drywood termites are most destructive to dead tree limbs, structural lumber, utility poles, furniture, decks, and fences.
Drywood physical characteristics:
- 1/4 to 1 inch long
- Cream-white to light brown colored
Dampwood
Often found in cool, humid areas, dampwood termites are common throughout California but are mostly found in central and northern coastal areas of the state. They infest dead or decaying moist wood and build large nests. The Pacific dampwood is a common species found in the state and is almost one inch long, making it the largest termite in California.
Dampwood physical characteristics:
- 1/2 to 5/8 inch long
- Large head
- Light to dark brown with streaks of yellow or red on its body
- Bigger than drywood and subterranean termites
How to Prevent Termites
Stay a step ahead of termites by eliminating their favorite things to prevent them from being attracted to your property in the first place. Here are some termite prevention tips:
- Call a termite specialist for a yearly termite inspection.
- Repair water leaks or drainage problems promptly.
- Wood piles should be kept away from your home, covered, and several inches off the ground.
- Always keep up with your regular maintenance by inspecting all wood in your outdoor areas, including trees and wood furniture.
- Remove dead or dying wood from your property quickly. Decaying wood is a termite’s playground.
- All wood that will come in contact with the ground should be treated before it is installed.
- A dehumidifier or screened vent can help limit moisture levels in attics and crawl spaces.
- Steer water away from your home with downspout extensions or splash blocks. Regularly cleaning your gutters will also help minimize moisture buildup.
How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost?
When estimating termite treatment costs, there are a few factors that will influence the final price, such as the size of your home and infestation, treatment method(s), and termite type. The average homeowner should expect to spend about $558. Nationwide, people typically pay between $275 and $863 for treatment.
FAQ About Termites in San Diego
When is Swarming Season in San Diego?
Most San Diego termites swarm in late summer or early fall; however, it’s not uncommon for subterranean and drywood termites to swarm in the spring as well.
Dampwood: July to October
Drywood: Fall or spring
Subterranean: Fall or spring
Can You Have More Than One Type of Termite?
Yes, more than one type of termite can be slowly eating your home. Call a professional termite inspector to come out and determine the type or types of termites infesting your home.
Which Termiticide Works Best?
Amongst the many different termite treatments, there isn’t necessarily one that’s better than another. Numerous factors play into which type of treatment will be best for your specific infestation. Only a termite specialist can determine the best type of treatment for your home.
Ready to Send the Termites Out to Sea?
If you have termites trying to ride the next wave into your home, call a professional termite specialist.
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