Termite Pest Control & Prevention in Corona, CA

Fast Facts About Termites

• What are termites? Termites are small, colony-dwelling insects that feed on cellulose found in wood, paper, and cardboard. Colonies can range from a few individuals to over a million, depending on the species.
• Termite species There are more than 2,000 types worldwide; about 50 are found in the U.S., and 20 of these may damage homes.
• Termite life cycle A queen can live for decades, laying thousands of eggs per year, while most worker termites live about a year. Colonies have a strict hierarchy: queens, kings, workers, and soldiers. Termites: How to Identify and Control Them | US EPA
  

How to Identify Termites

• Color: Usually white to light brown
• Shape: Straight, broad waist (unlike ants’ pinched waists)
• Antennae: Straight, not bent
• Wings: Swarming termites (alates) have equal-length wings
• Size: Less than half an inch long

Termites are often mistaken for ants, so look for these distinguishing features.

Signs of Termite Infestation

Watch for these warning signs in your home:

• Buckling or blistered floors
• Hollow-sounding walls or wood
• Mud tubes on exterior walls
• Discarded wings or dead termites
• Sticking windows and doors
• Droppings (frass), damaged drywall, or bubbling paint
• A musty smell or visible tunneling in wood

Termites can hollow out furniture, support beams, and trees around your property—causing major and costly structural damage.

What Attracts Termites?

Termites are drawn to:

• Wood and cellulose: Wooden beams, furniture, paper products
• Moisture: Leaky pipes, poor drainage, wet crawlspaces, or condensation from air conditioning
• Poor yard drainage: Damp soil and mulch close to your home’s foundation

Keeping your home clear of excess moisture and wood-to-ground contact can reduce your risk, but will not eliminate it.

When are Termites Active?

• Subterranean termites: Most active and swarm in spring/early summer
• Drywood termites: Often swarm in late summer and fall

Swarming season is when you’re most likely to spot them, but damage can occur year-round.

Preventing Termite Infestations

How Long Does Termite Treatment Last? – This Old House 

Try these prevention tips:

• Minimize wood-to-ground contact around your house
• Keep mulch, plants, and firewood away from your foundation
• Fix leaks and address drainage issues promptly
• Schedule yearly termite inspections with a trusted pest control company

If You Suspect Termites

Termites often go undetected until damage is severe. If you notice any warning signs, don’t delay—professional help is essential. DIY methods are rarely effective for advanced infestations.

What are termites and why are they a problem?

Termites are social insects that live in colonies and feed on cellulose, which is found in wood, paper, fabric, and other plant-based materials. While they play an important role in nature by breaking down dead wood, they cause over $5 billion in property damage annually in the United States. They work 24/7, meaning damage can happen quickly and often goes undetected until it’s extensive.

What do termites look like?

Termites vary slightly by species and caste, but generally, they are:

• Size: Typically between 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
• Color: White to light brown, sometimes yellowish-brown.
• Body: Soft-bodied, with a broad waist (no constricted “waist” like ants).
• Antennae: Straight, not elbowed like ants.
• Wings: Only reproductive termites (swarmers) Corona, CA have wings. These are typically equal in size (front and hind wings are the same length) and are shed shortly after flight.

How can I tell the difference between winged ants and termites?

This is a common confusion! Here’s how to tell them apart:

• Waist: Termites have a broad waist, while ants have a distinct, pinched waist.
• Antennae: Termite antennae are straight; ant antennae are bent or “elbowed.”
• Wings: Both have four wings. Termite wings are all the same size and much longer than their body. Ant wings are disproportionate, with the front wings being longer than the back wings. Termites also shed their wings readily, often leaving piles of them.

What are the different types of termites?

The three major types of termites in the U.S. are:

• Subterranean Termites: The most destructive species. They live in underground colonies and require contact with soil moisture. They build characteristic “mud tubes” to travel between their nest and food source (your home), protecting themselves from open air.
• Drywood Termites: Less common and slower to develop colonies than subterranean termites. They live within the dry wood they infest and do not need contact with the soil. They are more prevalent in warmer, southern climates.
• Dampwood Termites: Prefer moist wood and are typically found in heavily forested areas. They often infest decaying wood, stumps, or wood compromised by water damage.

What are the signs of a termite infestation?

Termites are sneaky, but they do leave clues:

• Mud Tubes: Pencil-sized tunnels made of soil and wood, often found on foundations, walls, or in crawl spaces. These are pathways for subterranean termites.
• Discarded Wings: Piles of small, translucent wings near windows, doorways, or light sources, especially in spring. These are shed by swarmers after they find a mate and location for a new colony.
• Damaged Wood: Wood that sounds hollow when tapped, appears darkened, blistering, or has grooves or tunnels. You might also notice sagging floors or ceilings.
• Frass (Termite Droppings): For Corona, CA drywood termites, you might see small, wood-colored pellets near infested wood.
• Clicking Sounds: In severe infestations, you might hear faint clicking noises coming from inside walls as worker termites munch on wood.
• Tight Doors/Windows: As termites eat through wood, they can cause doors and windows to become warped and difficult to open or close.

What attracts termites to a home?

Termites are primarily attracted to:

• Moisture: Leaky pipes, poor drainage, damp basements or crawl spaces, and excessive humidity are major attractants.
• Wood-to-Ground Contact: Any wood on your home that directly touches the soil (e.g., door frames, deck posts, porch steps) provides easy access.
• Cellulose Materials: Beyond structural wood, they also eat paper, cardboard, books, insulation, and even some fabrics.
• Wood Debris: Firewood piles, tree stumps, and other wood debris near the foundation can invite termites.

Are termites dangerous to humans or pets?

While termites cause extensive property damage, they generally do not pose a direct threat to human health. They don’t typically bite humans, and even if a soldier termite were to accidentally pinch you, it’s not toxic. They also do not transmit diseases to humans. However, severe infestations can lead to structural compromise, which can create safety hazards, and the presence of mold or fungus associated with termite-damaged wood could trigger respiratory issues for some individuals.

Can I prevent termites?

Yes, prevention is key!

• Reduce Moisture: Fix leaky pipes, ensure proper drainage around your foundation, and improve ventilation in crawl spaces.
• Eliminate Wood-to-Ground Contact: Create an 18-inch gap between soil and any wood parts of your home.
• Remove Wood Debris: Clear away old tree stumps, firewood piles, and other wood debris from around your foundation.
• Maintain Gutters & Downspouts: Keep them clean and ensure they divert water away from your home.
• Seal Entry Points: Seal cracks in foundations and around utility entry points.
• Regular Inspections: Professional annual termite inspections Corona, CA are highly recommended, especially in high-risk areas.

How long does it take for termites to cause significant damage?

Corona, CA Termites work continuously. While traditional California termites might take several years to cause significant damage, aggressive species like the Formosan termite can cause substantial damage in as little as six months. Early detection is critical to minimize costs and repairs.

Can I treat a termite infestation myself?

DIY termite treatments are generally not effective for eliminating an entire colony. While some products might kill individual termites, they rarely reach and eradicate the queen and the entire subterranean colony. This can lead to re-infestation and more extensive damage down the line.

How are termites treated?

Professional termite control typically involves:

• Liquid Barrier Treatments: Termiticides are applied to the soil around the foundation of your home, creating a protective barrier that termites cannot cross or that they carry back to the colony.
• Bait Systems: Monitoring stations containing cellulose bait with a slow-acting insecticide are placed around your home. Foraging termites consume the bait and share it with the colony, eventually leading to its decline.
• Spot Treatments: For drywood termites, localized treatments might involve injecting insecticide directly into infested wood galleries or using heat treatments.
• Fumigation: For severe drywood termite infestations, tenting and fumigating the entire structure might be necessary to eliminate all termites.

Why DIY Termite Spraying is a Bad Idea

If you’ve spotted termites, your first instinct might be to grab a can of household insect spray. But hold that thought! While it might seem like a quick fix, spraying termites with common household insecticides is not an effective or recommended way to control an infestation. In fact, it can actually make your termite problem much worse.

Here’s why you should put down the spray can and call in the professionals:

• Termites are resilient: These aren’t just a few stray bugs; termites are highly social insects living in vast colonies, often with hidden nests underground or deep within your home’s wooden structures. Spraying a handful of visible termites won’t even make a dent in the colony.
• You’ll spread the problem: When threatened by household sprays, termites often scatter. This means they’ll retreat and likely relocate to other, undisturbed parts of your home, potentially leading to new infestations in different, harder-to-reach areas. You’re not solving the problem; you’re just making it harder to find and treat.
• It’s an incomplete treatment: Spraying only kills the termites you can see. The vast majority of the colony, including the queen and the workers causing the real damage, remain hidden and untouched. This leaves the core of the infestation to continue thriving and expanding.
• It disrupts professional treatment: Using DIY methods can interfere with the effectiveness of professional termiticides. When a professional arrives, they rely on accurate assessments of termite activity. Your attempts to spray might drive termites deeper or alter their usual patterns, making it more challenging for experts to apply targeted, effective treatments.
• Professional expertise is needed: Termite control requires specialized knowledge and tools. Professional pest control experts have the training to properly identify the extent of an infestation and apply targeted treatments that effectively eliminate the entire colony, not just the visible few.

Instead of trying to tackle termites yourself, your best course of action is to contact a professional pest control company immediately for an inspection. They can accurately assess the situation, determine the best course of action, and ensure the infestation is eradicated safely and effectively, saving you time, money, and a lot of headaches in the long run.

Expert Termite & Pest Control in Southern California

Are you dealing with unwelcome pests in Orange County, South/East Los Angeles County, or Corona, CA? Look no further than Southern California Exterminators!

We offer comprehensive pest control services designed to protect your home or business. From thorough termite inspections and advanced termite fumigation treatments to ongoing maintenance plans, we’ve got you covered.

Whether it’s rats, ants, cockroaches, or bed bugs, our skilled exterminators will work with you to create a customized pest removal plan. We’re committed to finding the perfect solution for your property, ensuring peace of mind and a pest-free environment.

Protect your home—call today for a termite inspection and keep your property safe from costly termite damage!