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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How do I tell if I have Termites

How do I tell if I have termites?

Most Arizona residents are aware it’s not if…but when…will a termite colony invade their home.

Termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage across the country every year.  In northern areas of the country cold weather slows down termite destruction…not in Arizona where mild year round temperatures allow termites to continue their mayhem 24/7.

As you view this page…hundreds to thousands…of Arizona homeowners are unaware their home is under attack by Arizona termites.

The best protection against termite damage is to have your home inspected at least once a year by an experienced termite inspector familiar with all species of termites found in Arizona.

Homeowners should be familiar with some of the obvious signs of termite infestations such as mud tube along outside stem walls, or damage to wood members etc.  Catching a termite infestation early can save a homeowner thousands of dollars in termite damage repair costs.

Bills Pest Termite Control offers free yearly termite inspections…protect your home and call Arizona’s Termite Experts today.

Five signs to tell if you have Arizona termites

Signs of subterranean termites ---

• Flying winged termites (swarmers) are often visible in your home when they swarm, or you may find the wings they have shed.
• Damaged wood has the remains of mud tubes attached to wood tunnels in irregular patterns. White termites are also often found in the infested wood.
• Mud shelter tubes extending from the ground along your foundation or coming out of garage expansion joints are also a sign of termites. Each tube is about the diameter of a lead pencil.

Signs of drywood termites ---

• Salt and pepper-like fecal pellets with six longitudinal ridges are often evident – similar to cricket droppings
• Larger than subterranean termites, drywood termites are dark brown with black wings and a reddish brown head and thorax.

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Western Drywood Termites Swarming in Phoenix

Western Drywood Swarmers

Western Drywood Termites Swarming

July 14th, 2011  Michelle Stell, Office Manager at Bills Pest and Termite notes an increase in customer calls from across Metro Phoenix Arizona reporting "flying ants," or "flying termites." 

Termite Inspectors are finding most of the calls are Western Drywood Termites that typically swarm this time of year.  Western Drywood Termites are often mis-identified as ant swarmers by less experienced exterminators.  Drywood termites and ants share similiar swarm seasons in central Arizona.

Arizona Drywood Swarmer

Generally, the first indirect sign of infestation is the discovery of fecal pellets or the presence of alates on windowsills or near lights. Alates 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 alates outdoors is a natural phenomenon and is not an implication of home infestation.

Drywood termites spend their entire lives inside wood. They construct round “kick holes” in infested wood, through which the fecal pellets are eliminated from the 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 from A Drywood Termites

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.

To order your FREE Termite Inspection call us @ 602.308.4510 or visit Order Free Termite Inspection

What is a "No Drill" termite treatment?

What is a “No Drill” termite treatment?

A “No Drill” treatment is typically a termite service where only exterior “soft areas” of a structure are trenched to allow a liquid application.  The soil is then put back into the trenches to complete the service.

Is a “No Drill” treatment cheaper?

Initially a “No Drill” treatment can be cheaper as money is saved in labor and chemical costs.  Given the foraging nature of our native Arizona termites those savings can be offset by future re-infestations.

Does Bills Pest & Termite offer “No Drill” termite treatments?

No…we discourage “No Drill” termite treatments…the only way to stop native Arizona termite infestations is to establish a continuous barrier in and around a structure.  Leaving untreated areas is an invitation to foraging termites.  Average lots in Phoenix can have 10-15 different colonies of Arizona termites…so it’s just a matter of time before a termite colony will find an untreated avenue into your home.

Additionally, Arizona termites seek moisture under abutting slabs of a structure to survive.  Not treating these areas reduces the potential success of a termite service.

Why do so many Exterminators in Phoenix offer “No Drill” termite treatments?

Simply put…it’s a way to make a fast buck.  An exterminator can turn a 2-4 hour service into a 30 minute job and use only a quarter of the termiticide.  Doing 5-6 of these services a day is fast money.

Any advice for homeowners considering a “No Drill” treatment?

Yes…get a complete termite service by a carefully screened termite exterminator that uses a quality termiticide and knows our Arizona termites.  It may cost a few dollars more up front…but you are more likely to eliminate current and future termite infestations and less likely to deal with structural damage.

Realtors: What is the purpose of a termite report?

What is the purpose of a termite report?

A Phoenix realtor/broker…being sued by her client was asked during a recent deposition. “What is the purpose of a termite report?” The agent with over 16 years experience was caught off guard and could not muster an adequate response. “I think it is to tell if the home has termites!?”

The purpose of a termite report in a real estate transaction is to convey information to the buyer, so they can make the right buying decision. Designed to protect the consumer, the State of Arizona has enacted specific Statutes along with rules and regulations dictating what information should be included on a termite report.

One of the top violations investigated by the State of Arizona is the failure to properly complete a termite report.

A real estate agent/broker is charged with protecting the interests of the client.

As a realtor…do you personally review the termite report? Do you discuss the findings with your client?

The Phoenix realtor/broker being sued…did not. She called title…“Is the report clear?” The escrow officer advised…“It’s clear… no termites.”

That agent/broker has $2000 out of pocket deductible expenses and is being sued for $1.6 million (the cost of the home). Her insurance company hopes to settle for $800,000.

The home in this transaction did not have termites…the inspection reported evidence of previous termite activity and treatment. The sellers who had only lived in the home for 18 months had no knowledge of a previous termite history. The seller’s disclosure reported no known termite history.

Shortly after close of escrow the buyer discovered extensive termite damage during remodeling.

The buyer contends that had his agent properly reviewed the termite report and conveyed the findings… he would have either not bought the home…and/or requested additional information concerning the termite history.

As in many cases the termite report was not signed by the buyer at close of escrow nor was he provided a copy. He was told by the agent/broker that the report was “clear.”

If you want to check the history of a property 602.255.3664 a free service offered by the State of Arizona.

Question of the month:

The contract nor the lender is not requiring a termite report…my buyer wants to know if he should pay for a termite inspection?

Yes…most real estate agents are aware that Phoenix has a healthy termite population and that extensive damage can be caused by a termite infestation. A $50 termite report can be the best insurance for your client and for the agent. You serve your client best when they have as much information as possible to make the right buying decision!


If you have a question(s) sent it to Tustep@aol.com or visit us at http://www.billstermiteco.com/ “We know Arizona termites!”