Arizona termites…what’s eating at your home?

Arizona termites…what’s eating at your home?



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Arizona is home to at least 17 species of termites and despite urban legend…not all Arizona termites will attack and/or destroy your home.

Subterranean termites, in general, are the most common type found in the Phoenix area (below 4000 feet) and they tend to cause the most damage. 

Two species in particular…Reticulitermes (Eastern Subterranean) and Heterotermes (native species) are most often found at homes with active infestations and damage.  “Desert termites,” (Gnathamitermes and Wheeler termites) generate a lot of calls and concern among homeowners and are seldom a threat to damage your home.

Eastern Subterranean termites are found across the United States and generate the bulk of the $2 billion dollars in termite damage every year.  These termites swarm in the spring at night usually after a heavy rain.  Above 4000 feet they are the most common subterranean termite in Arizona.  Experienced termite inspectors can quickly identify this termite by the larger, more flat termite tubes this species constructs on stem walls or through large expansion joints.

Our native species (Heterotermes) is the more common subterranean termite found in the Sonoran Desert region.  They adapt well to our dry conditions and usually swarm during the monsoon season after heavy rains.  Native termites migrate to areas and soil with higher than average moisture and will often nest under concrete slabs.  This species is the smallest of all termites found in Arizona and its small size gives it the ability to invade a home through small stress cracks and expansion joints.  Native termites is the only species in Arizona that constructs “drop tubes,” often seen hanging from ceiling joists.  Experienced termite inspectors will distinguish this species by their smaller, rounder, stronger, and airtight shelter tubes.

Desert termites tend to generate the most calls and concerns from Phoenix area homeowners.  This species swarms in the summer and is usually seen building tubes over dead grass, or sheets of mud on wood fences.  Desert termites usually surface after rainfall or heavy watering when our desert clay soil is “loosened.”  It’s not uncommon to see thin sheets of mud or tubes on Palm trees, Cactus or covering wood debris left on the desert floor.  Desert termites seldom invade a home and rarely cause damage.

Light Western Drywood termites are common is pockets of the Valley and can be found throughout the Sonoran Desert below 4000 feet.  Dark Western Drywood termites dominate the region above 4000 feet.  Western Drywood termites usually swarm in July-August and can be destructive if not detected.  This species lives in the wood it consumes and is rarely seen.  Experienced termite inspectors can determine the presence of this species by the distinctive droppings and galleries.

If you have…or suspect If you have... or suspect Arizona termites…the first step is to call an experience exterminator to determine if you have termites…and if those termites are a threat to your home.  Not all termites in Arizona are equal.  Treatment methods can vary depending upon the invading species.

Call Arizona’s termite experts…Bills Pest and Termite for your free inspection…or visit our website to schedule online.

Bills Pest Termite Control 602.308.4510

Drywood termites in Phoenix

Drywood termite swarmers in Phoenix

Drywood termites in Phoenix 

August 2, 2012 – Lisa Gartner of Bill’s Pest Termite Control reports an increase in calls reporting “flying ants” or “flying termites” from concerned homeowners across the valley.  Termite Inspectors responding to these calls are often finding evidence of Western Drywood Termites a sign that the summer swarm season is underway in Metro Phoenix

Western Drywood Termites are often misidentified as ant swarmers by less experienced exterminators. Drywood termites and ants share similar swarm seasons in Arizona.  It generally takes 4-7 years for drywood termites to produce swarmers so their presence is a sign of a mature colony nearby. 

Generally, the first sign of infestation is the discovery of cone shaped piles of fecal pellets or the presence of winged swarmers on windowsills, door frames or near lights. Discovery of damage is usually secondary. Swarmers found inside the house (if windows and doors have been closed), are an indication of infestation within the structure. Another indication of infestation is the presence of discarded wings near emergence sites, on windowsills or caught up in cobwebs. The presence of swarmers outdoors is a natural phenomenon and is not necessarily an indication of home infestation. 

Drywood termites in Phoenix spend their entire lives inside wood. They construct round “kick holes” in infested wood, through which the fecal pellets are pushed from their galleries or tunnels. These pellets accumulate in small piles below the kick holes, or will be scattered if the distance between the kick hole and the surface below is very great. Fecal pellets also may be found caught in spider webs. 

Fecal pellets are distinctive and used for identification of drywood termite infestation. Drywood fecal pellets are hard, elongated and less than 1/25 inch long. They have rounded ends and six flattened or concavely depressed sides with ridges at angles between the six surfaces. The characteristic shape results when the termite exerts pressure on the fecal material to extract and conserve moisture in its hindgut. Typically the pellets are a light tan in color with some black ones mixed in. 

Homeowners are encouraged to have their home inspected for termites at least once a year by a professional familiar with all species of termites Arizona. 

Drywood termites in Phoenix 602.308.4510

Phoenix Termite Control

Phoenix Termite Control

“There are two types of homes in Phoenix…those with termites and those that are gonna get “em!”

If your Phoenix home doesn’t already have termites…it’s just a matter of time before they will infest.  Everyday unsuspecting homeowners have their home secretly invaded by termites.  Hidden termite damage can diminish a home’s value and result in thousands of dollars worth of damage repair. Need an online Phoenix Termite Control quote?

Many areas of Phoenix were once virgin desert or farm land with moderate termite pressure.  Construction has created moisture sources, shelter from our desert heat, and food (the wood in your home).  As a result termite populations are exploding and the demand for Phoenix termite control has never been greater.

As the homes age…the initial protective barrier wears out…no longer fending off the hordes of termites waiting to feast on your home.

Termites are destructive, causing major structural damage to homes and commercial buildings across the United States.  Yearly estimates of damage run into the billions of dollars.

Phoenix homes are more likely to see large termite infestations and the resulting damage as termites feed year round unhampered by cold weather or freezing temperatures.

Bill’s Phoenix Termite Control recommends that every home should be inspected at least once a year for termites.  Order your FREE TERMITE INSPECTION today.

Phoenix is home to several species of termites and not all infestations should be treated the same.  For example, treating the soil around a home has no effect on an infestation involving Western Drywood or Dampwood termites.  Homes recently treated for one termite species should be inspected yearly for evidence of other types.

Most Phoenix termite exterminators are only familiar with the more common native species of subterranean termite.  These termites are easily detected by the shelter tubes constructed on foundation walls or inside garages.  Detecting other termite species found in Phoenix can be difficult for inexperienced exterminators.   Undetected termite infestation can result in structural damage and depreciate the value of your home.

Phoenix homeowners should have their homes inspected at least once a year by a trained and experience termite inspector.  Catching a termite infestation early can save the cost of expensive damage repair and maintain a home’s resale value.

When termites are found it’s important that a complete termite treatment with an effective product be done early in the infestation.  Maintaining a continuous protective barrier minimizes the chance of re-infestation, while using an effective termiticide ensures a lasting treatment.

Effectively getting rid of termites requires a specialized set of termite skills. Experience is required to know where the likeliest entry points are in your home. Entry points are may be hidden and hard to access.  

Phoenix termite control requires specialized equipment most people don't own.  From rotary hammer drills to soil treatment rods, and foamers, this equipment helps exterminators find and root out termites that may elude homeowners.  

Typically a service to eliminate termite infestations involves hundreds of gallons of termiticide injected along and under a home's foundation, underneath concrete slabs, or within walls. These access points and materials are not readily accessible to the general public.

Choosing a good Phoenix termite control exterminator can be a complex decision as there are hundreds of termite exterminators in Phoenix alone.

Phoenix termite control companies offer different treatments and warranties to deal with termite issues. In many cases, they should come back to retreat the affected areas at no extra charge.  Make sure this provision is included in your termite control agreement.  

Many liquid termiticides can last for five years or more when properly applied.  Not all termiticides are the same…a termiticide that works well in other states may not fare so well in the sandy soil of our Sonoran Desert.  The actual length of time these treatments control the termite problem in your home will depend on the thoroughness of the application, the severity of the termite control issue in your area, type of termiticide used, and other conditions.  Normally if swarmers are found the year after you have an exterminator come out, it's because of human error in application and not in failure of the chemicals.

Termiticides are tested thoroughly for any effects they might have on the health of people and animals. Before any chemical can be used, it must be tested and approved by the EPA and the State of Arizona.

Rather than focus solely on the price of a termite service Arizona homeowners need to be aware of what termiticide is being applied around their home, how and why.

If you suspect you have a problem with termites in your home, seek the help the professionals at Bills Pest Termite Control.

Bills Pest Termite Control is your hometown Phoenix termite exterminator…Arizona’s Termite Experts…We know Phoenix Termites!

Phoenix Termite Control @ 602.308.4510

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