Phoenix Termite Control

How Should I Prepare My Property for a Termite Control Service?

Getting your property ready for our termite control service will help us complete a more efficient and comprehensive job. We ask you to clear away items from your foundation and interior walls, especially in areas where you suspect termite activity. This includes moving furniture, boxes, and other belongings away from the baseboards and walls so that our technicians have clear access for inspection and treatment. Please also remove any stored items that may block our access to your attic, crawlspace, or other difficult-to-reach areas. 

Signs of a Termite Infestation

Because termites often work behind walls and in hidden areas, they can be tough to detect initially. Spotting an infestation early is extremely important, however, as it allows our team at Burns Pest Elimination - Phoenix to inspect the property and explain treatment recommendations before the problem becomes more extensive. The sooner you request a termite inspection, the sooner you can get a professional assessment of possible activity.

Keep an eye out for the following signs of termites:

• Swarmers and discarded wings. “Swarmers” are winged reproductive termites that fly from a colony to start new ones. You might see them flying in or around your home or business, especially during warm weather after a rain. More often, you’ll find their discarded wings on windowsills, near doors, or in spiderwebs. These small, transparent wings can indicate nearby termite swarming activity and should be professionally evaluated.
• Mud tubes. Mud tubes are a classic sign of subterranean termites. These pencil-sized tunnels are constructed from soil, wood particles, and other organic materials bound together with termite saliva and fecal matter. Termites build them on foundation walls, on wooden beams, or along baseboards to travel from their nest in the soil to their food source without being exposed to open air. Finding these tubes should prompt a professional inspection for possible subterranean termite activity.
• Hollow-sounding wood. Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of wood or paint on the surface. When you tap on an infested area, it can sound hollow or papery. If you suspect termites, try tapping on a door frame, baseboard, or wooden trim. A hollow sound can have multiple causes, including termite activity, so an inspection is needed to determine what is present.
• Termite droppings (frass). Drywood termites often leave behind small, pellet-like droppings called frass. These pellets can look like small piles of sawdust or pepper, and they typically collect in small mounds beneath infested wood, such as a beam, a windowsill, or a piece of furniture. A pile of frass can be a sign of drywood termite activity and should be evaluated by a professional.
• Visible damage to wood. You may also see visible damage to wood. This can appear as blistering or sagging wood floors, or tiny holes in drywall. As the infestation grows, the damage can become more obvious. We have seen everything from bubbling paint to collapsed wooden structures. Visible damage can have different causes, so it shouldn’t be treated as proof of termites without an inspection.

When termites threaten your home or business, call (602) 603-4089 or contact us online today.