There are countless myths out there that people believe because “they heard somewhere that it was true.” There are entire websites on the internet, like Snopes.com, dedicated to debunking popular myths because there is so much misinformation floating around. There are even myths in the pest control industry, especially when it comes to termites. And while many myths can be harmless, the myths that we’ll debunk in this post can actually be dangerous, since believing them can leave you feeling as if your Temecula home is safe from termites, when in fact, it may not be.
Myth #1: I don’t need a termite inspection because I’ll be able to spot termites myself.
If you see termites swarming around your house, or evidence of the damage caused by a colony of termites, it is likely that a good amount of damage has already been done. With termites, early detection is the key to preventing costly damage to your home’s wooden structure. A regular termite inspection, where we look not only for termites and termite damage, but also for potential entry points and common termite attractants, is the best method for keeping your home safe from the damage done by termites.
Myth #2: DIY termite treatments are just as effective as professional termite treatments.
We know it can be tempting to try to save some money by doing your own termite treatment, but over-the-counter products just aren’t effective at preventing or eradicating termites from your Temecula property. You need to kill the entire colony of termites, including the queen, in order to eradicate them from you structure. In addition, when dealing with things like insecticides or noxious gasses, safety should be a top concern. Knockout Pest Control & Termite is licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board of California to perform termite fumigation and other termite control methods in ways that are safe for humans and pets.
There are certain things you can do to help keep termites from finding their way into your home, like keeping the area around your house clear of wood piles, but termite treatment itself should be left to the professionals.
Myth #3: I live in a newer Temecula home that was treated for termites when it was built, so I don’t need regular termite inspections.
Pre-construction anti-termite treatments don’t last forever. In fact, some may only be effective in providing a barrier against subterranean termites for up to a year. So, even if the soil on your property was treated for termites before construction, you should still get regular termite inspections from a professional pest control company in Temecula like Knockout to make sure your home is termite free.
Myth #4: My house is on a concrete slab foundation, so it’s safe from termites.
Even if your home is built on a concrete slab (as most homes in the Temecula area are), termites can still find their way to its wooden structure. Termites can fit through the smallest of cracks in your foundation. A professional termite inspector can help you identify likely termite entry points, like cracks in your foundation, that may not be noticeable to the untrained eye, and make recommendations for repairs that will help keep your home safe from termite infestations.
If you believed any of the myths we mentioned above to be true, don’t worry, you’re not the only one! But now that you know some of the facts, you may want to consider scheduling a termite inspection for your Temecula home. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
