The New Year means new beginnings. We often default to resolutions to read more books, get more exercise, or lose weight. Few of us sit back and think, “This year, I resolve to get rid of termites!” Yet, that may be precisely what you need to do. These wood-boring bugs cause billions of dollars in damage each year in the United States. They can put quite the kibosh on reaching your New Year’s goals if you have to funnel money…
For many, the cooler temperatures of winter encourage slowing down and staying inside more. Instead of spending hours outside in the sun, we hunker down in our homes with a good book, movie and binge-worthy TV shows. We may believe that all of Mother Nature does the same. Some animals hibernate all season, while others build cozy nests to nestle in during the evening hours. Even bugs react to Old Man Winter’s call on the weather. Spiders and cockroaches cannot…
When most of us think of winter, we envision cold temperatures and animals hibernating. The whole earth slows down, and some inhabitants sleep. The worst thing to be wary of is bitterly cold and inclement weather. Actually, there is something else you should keep alert for. A nefarious beast is bent on destroying your home 365 days a year. It’s the termite. It eats all the time and does not stop for a long winter’s nap. Just when you thought…
Winter is the time for holidays and all the fun and traditions that go along with them. Christmas can be especially fun with trees, stockings, and lights. It is a magical time for children where they wonder if they have been good enough to make Santa’s good list. As you lay your head down for a long winter’s nap, the dancing of sugar plums may be the munching of termites on your home’s structure. This wood-boring pest stays on Santa’s…
November is a time of thanks. Families gather together for their Thanksgiving Day celebration with turkey and all the trimmings. Your family might choose a different cuisine, such as Asian, Indian, or Middle Eastern. It doesn’t matter what your meal consists of when you have your loved ones around. Another tight-knit family that enjoys good meals together is the humble termite. These wood-borers make a feast of your home all year long. By scheduling a termite inspection of your San…
As winter creeps up and settles in, many homeowners put away their gardening tools and lawnmowers and leave the outdoor stuff until the temperatures heat up. There is a sense of putting things to bed for that long “winter nap”. Many animals, like bears, have been packing on the pounds all spring and summer to prepare for hibernation. Unlike hibernating animals, termites never rest. Instead, they keep chewing on your San Mateo home all year long. To ensure your home…
No one wants to hear the words, “You have termites.” You may immediately imagine a cartoonish picture of a massive bug with pinchers ripping through the studs in your walls only to be thwarted by a masked character spraying an even more giant cloud of chemicals. Do you see the termite grabbing its thorax and gasp for air? This image may be an exaggeration; however, homeowners around the country dread hearing that they may have a problem with wood-boring bugs.…
Cliched as it sounds, there is no denying the truth of this statement—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That is why you take care of your health by eating right, exercising, and visiting the dentist twice a year. This attitude carries over to your belongings. You spend Saturdays changing your car’s oil, mowing your lawn, and cleaning your home. You may even spend time in the spring airing out your rooms while deep cleaning. Have you…
Living in a condominium, duplex, or townhome community with a homeowner’s association has benefits. There are common areas to be enjoyed, and someone else takes care of the landscape work. There is also a downside, and it isn’t paper-thin walls or cranky HOA boards requiring you to remove your pink flamingo from your front porch. It is much worse than that. Because of the shared walls, if your neighbors find termites, most likely, you will, too. When your neighbor breaks…
While cleaning your windows one day, you notice some weird wings on the window sill. As you sweep them up, you see a winged bug fluttering about. At first glance, you may think that you have flying ants, but is that true? Maybe not. It is possible that what you see are termites. These wood chewing bugs wreak havoc on homes across the United States. Recognizing the difference takes a trained eye. More importantly, any time you see bugs in…