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Termite Inspection And Control
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The Termite Inspection
Do you think you have a termite problem or maybe you are getting ready to sell your house? Let us schedule one of our qualified, friendly and professional inspectors to come to your home and perform an honest and thorough inspection. A termite inspection is a “snapshot” of your home on the day it is inspected. All of our state-licensed inspectors are professionals with years of experience in their trade. During the course of a termite inspection we are looking for visible evidence of drywood termites, subterranean termites, dampwood termites, wood destroying beetles, fungus infection/damage, dry rot, moisture conditions, leaks, earth-to-wood contact conditions, faulty grade conditions, and more. After the inspection, we will generate a comprehensive typewritten report with our findings, recommendations and bids.
We work closely with homeowners that are interested in maintaining their home or think they might have a problem. We also work closely with the local Realtors and we are experts at making termite inspections for buyers and sellers during real estate transactions.
Do you think you have a termite problem or maybe you are getting ready to sell your house? Let us schedule one of our qualified, friendly and professional inspectors to come to your home and perform an honest and thorough inspection. A termite inspection is a “snapshot” of your home on the day it is inspected. All of our state-licensed inspectors are professionals with years of experience in their trade. During the course of a termite inspection we are looking for visible evidence of drywood termites, subterranean termites, dampwood termites, wood destroying beetles, fungus infection/damage, dry rot, moisture conditions, leaks, earth-to-wood contact conditions, faulty grade conditions, and more. After the inspection, we will generate a comprehensive typewritten report with our findings, recommendations and bids.
We work closely with homeowners that are interested in maintaining their home or think they might have a problem. We also work closely with the local Realtors and we are experts at making termite inspections for buyers and sellers during real estate transactions.
How should I prepare for a termite inspection?
The most important way to prepare for an inspection is to clear all areas that the inspector will need to look at. If your subarea/crawl space access opening is in a closet, clear the closet. If you have storage around the garage walls, try to make the walls visibly accessible. If the attic access opening is in a closet, clear the closet before the inspector arrives. If the inspector is able to access all areas you will receive a more complete inspection. Feel free to call our office if you have any questions.
How long does it take for the inspector to perform a termite inspection?
It depends on the property that is being inspected. If we are inspecting a townhouse or condominium it might take 30 to 45 minutes to complete the inspection. However, if it is a very large, one story, house (with a crawl space/subarea) it could take up to3 hours. The average 1200 to 2000 square foot home takes approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours.
When will I receive my typewritten report?
Our typical turnaround time is 24 to 48 hours. We are able to send reports by e-mail, via fax, through the U.S. mail, or they can be picked up at our office if you prefer.
What if I know I have termites? How long should I wait before I call?
Realistically, termites are not going to eat your house down in a day, a week or even a month, but over time termites can cause major damage. If we catch them early enough we can perform a treatment to eradicate the termites before they cause any structural damage. However, if you let it go the termites will eventually cause damage and require not only a treatment, but also repairs. It is a fact that termites cause more damage in the United States than earthquakes, fires, and tornadoes combined. Termites are real! Termites love the Bay Area climate where it is warm and moist. Don’t delay finding out about the condition of your home.
How often should I have a termite inspection?
We recommend you have an inspection every two to three years. The inspection cost is quite reasonable and the information you gain from the inspection could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. The Bay Area is home to one of the highest priced housing markets in the nation. Having an inspection is like a “check up” on your home.
If there are no problems, you have peace of mind knowing your house is good for another couple of years. But what if we find that leak you didn’t know about or that new termite colony that is just getting established? It is always better to take care of problems early before they turn into big problems.
How do I order a termite inspection?
Simply call your nearest branch office or toll free at 888-656-6613 and let the friendly and professional office staff assist you with booking an inspection. We will work with you to find the time and date that best fits your schedule. We are here to help you with all of your termite inspection needs. We have been in business since 1979.
TERMITE TREATMENTS
Drywood Termites
Fumigation
When the drywood termite activity extends into inaccessible areas, or if the evidence is found in more than one location of the home, we recommend for a complete structural fumigation. A tent is placed over the structure and the gas is released into the home. The process takes two nights and three days and of course, you must be out of your home during this time. Once the house is safe for re-entry there is a notice posted indicating it is safe to go back inside. A fumigation provides the entire structure with a 100 percent, guaranteed eradication of all drywood termite infestations throughout every inch of the home. We offer a three-year warranty with all of our fumigations. See the Fumigation Prep page for more information about the fumigation process.
Local Drywood Termite Treatments
When the drywood termite activity is limited to one location and/or if you live in a condominium or townhouse, we will outline a local drywood termite treatment. We can also perform local drywood termite treatments for customers that simply do not want to fumigate their house. We have a very high success rate with our local drywood termite treatments and they do cause less inconvenience for the occupants. We ask that you leave the property while the treatment is being performed, but you do not need to do any extraordinary preparation, you do not need to move out, and you do not need to sleep away from the property. Once the treatment is completed you are able to enter again and continue with your normal routine.
Subterranean Termites
When we find subterranean termite activity the treatment process is quite different from the drywood termite treatment. Subterranean termites always have to originate at the soil, so the treatment involves trenching and treating the soil. It may include the subarea soil and/or it may include the exterior soil. If you have concrete sidewalks or patios we will drill ½” holes into the concrete so that we can inject the material into the soil, below the concrete slab. Once the treatment is completed we insert a small rubber plug in the drilled hole and cover it with a concrete patch. It is done so well that it is almost unnoticeable to the naked eye. The purpose of the treatment is to provide a barrier that will keep the subterranean termites away from the house. The products that are available to us, as licensed pest control operators, has improved dramatically over the past ten years and we rarely have any callbacks or re-treats. We offer a one-year warranty on a limited subterranean termite treatment and a three-year warranty on our whole house treatments. Thrasher Termite & Pest Control, Inc. provides one of the best, if not the best, warranty in California. Please call us if you have any other questions.
The most important way to prepare for an inspection is to clear all areas that the inspector will need to look at. If your subarea/crawl space access opening is in a closet, clear the closet. If you have storage around the garage walls, try to make the walls visibly accessible. If the attic access opening is in a closet, clear the closet before the inspector arrives. If the inspector is able to access all areas you will receive a more complete inspection. Feel free to call our office if you have any questions.
How long does it take for the inspector to perform a termite inspection?
It depends on the property that is being inspected. If we are inspecting a townhouse or condominium it might take 30 to 45 minutes to complete the inspection. However, if it is a very large, one story, house (with a crawl space/subarea) it could take up to3 hours. The average 1200 to 2000 square foot home takes approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours.
When will I receive my typewritten report?
Our typical turnaround time is 24 to 48 hours. We are able to send reports by e-mail, via fax, through the U.S. mail, or they can be picked up at our office if you prefer.
What if I know I have termites? How long should I wait before I call?
Realistically, termites are not going to eat your house down in a day, a week or even a month, but over time termites can cause major damage. If we catch them early enough we can perform a treatment to eradicate the termites before they cause any structural damage. However, if you let it go the termites will eventually cause damage and require not only a treatment, but also repairs. It is a fact that termites cause more damage in the United States than earthquakes, fires, and tornadoes combined. Termites are real! Termites love the Bay Area climate where it is warm and moist. Don’t delay finding out about the condition of your home.
How often should I have a termite inspection?
We recommend you have an inspection every two to three years. The inspection cost is quite reasonable and the information you gain from the inspection could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. The Bay Area is home to one of the highest priced housing markets in the nation. Having an inspection is like a “check up” on your home.
If there are no problems, you have peace of mind knowing your house is good for another couple of years. But what if we find that leak you didn’t know about or that new termite colony that is just getting established? It is always better to take care of problems early before they turn into big problems.
How do I order a termite inspection?
Simply call your nearest branch office or toll free at 888-656-6613 and let the friendly and professional office staff assist you with booking an inspection. We will work with you to find the time and date that best fits your schedule. We are here to help you with all of your termite inspection needs. We have been in business since 1979.
TERMITE TREATMENTS
Drywood Termites
Fumigation
When the drywood termite activity extends into inaccessible areas, or if the evidence is found in more than one location of the home, we recommend for a complete structural fumigation. A tent is placed over the structure and the gas is released into the home. The process takes two nights and three days and of course, you must be out of your home during this time. Once the house is safe for re-entry there is a notice posted indicating it is safe to go back inside. A fumigation provides the entire structure with a 100 percent, guaranteed eradication of all drywood termite infestations throughout every inch of the home. We offer a three-year warranty with all of our fumigations. See the Fumigation Prep page for more information about the fumigation process.
Local Drywood Termite Treatments
When the drywood termite activity is limited to one location and/or if you live in a condominium or townhouse, we will outline a local drywood termite treatment. We can also perform local drywood termite treatments for customers that simply do not want to fumigate their house. We have a very high success rate with our local drywood termite treatments and they do cause less inconvenience for the occupants. We ask that you leave the property while the treatment is being performed, but you do not need to do any extraordinary preparation, you do not need to move out, and you do not need to sleep away from the property. Once the treatment is completed you are able to enter again and continue with your normal routine.
Subterranean Termites
When we find subterranean termite activity the treatment process is quite different from the drywood termite treatment. Subterranean termites always have to originate at the soil, so the treatment involves trenching and treating the soil. It may include the subarea soil and/or it may include the exterior soil. If you have concrete sidewalks or patios we will drill ½” holes into the concrete so that we can inject the material into the soil, below the concrete slab. Once the treatment is completed we insert a small rubber plug in the drilled hole and cover it with a concrete patch. It is done so well that it is almost unnoticeable to the naked eye. The purpose of the treatment is to provide a barrier that will keep the subterranean termites away from the house. The products that are available to us, as licensed pest control operators, has improved dramatically over the past ten years and we rarely have any callbacks or re-treats. We offer a one-year warranty on a limited subterranean termite treatment and a three-year warranty on our whole house treatments. Thrasher Termite & Pest Control, Inc. provides one of the best, if not the best, warranty in California. Please call us if you have any other questions.