Termite FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get termites?

There are many circumstances that can lead to a termite infestation in your home. Some of which you can control and others that you can not.Subterranean termites look for areas where wood contacts the earth. However, a direct earth to wood contact is not necessary for this type of termite to infest your home. Sometimes just a crack in your foundation is enough for this species to find your home and begin destructive damage. Drywood termites usually land on your home during swarming season (late summer through early fall). A male and female start a family in the wood members of your home and live happily ever after (unless you call CVA). Most termites species are assisted by the conducive conditions mentioned above. Other conditions that are conducive to termite infestations are: excessive moisture conditions, faulty grades, cellulose debris in the subarea, etc. Check your home regularly to avoid opportunity to invite termites into your home. Better yet have a professional inspection done at least every two years.

What can I do to prevent a termite infestation?

Making sure that many of the conditions mentioned above are ‘absent’ from your home is a great first step. This means checking your home to make sure there are no areas where wood is touching the soil, ensuring you correct any excessive moisture conditions ( like plumbing leaks ) promptly and keeping your home well painted and sealed helps a great deal. Also, having a regular inspection at least every couple years helps by having a professional advise you on areas you may be able to work on. How can I be sure that I don’t just have flying ants? Ants and termites are quite a bit different (if you know what you are looking for). Check out our gallery for a comparison of ants and termites. I no longer see evidence of termites, does that mean they are gone? If you have had the home treated by a professional termite control company, yes. If you have not done anything about a known termite infestation, not likely. Why? Depending on the type of termite infestation you may have, the evidence you see may just indicate that the infestation has moved on from the area where you noticed them or the swarming season may have ended. We find that most homeowners feel if they stop swarming ‘they must be gone’. The truth is the swarming members of the termite colony are gone, however, the workers and the queen are still at home savoring your homes framing. The best way to make sure your home is not a termites ‘bread basket’: order a free inspection today!

How long can I wait before I should take care of my termite problem?

Not long. Termites eat 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. To better gauge how much time you have we provide the following info on how long you may have:Subterranean termites: These termites have extremely large colonies and if your home is the only source of food they have, they can do a lot of damage fast. Don’t wait if you have these. Drywood Termites: This colony starts off a little slow but they tend to snowball. If you are seeing large amounts of droppings, your inspection report indicates infestations in several areas or you have swarms of these termites in your home, the colony(ies) may be large and well established and require immediate attention. Swarming indicates they have very likely been in your home at least four years. Formosan Termites: If you have been told you have these termites. You may not have a choice. These are the most dangerous and destructive termites found in the U.S. They can literally eat you out of house and home in no time at all. They are very, very rare but they must be exterminated immediately. Dampwood Termites: Because of the nature of this type of termite, infestations can usually be controlled by correction of conditions which are conducive to its infestation. Eliminate the cause and they should go away. Did we mention the are the biggest termites found locally. Don’t wait. Big termites have big appetites.

Why do I need a termite inspection to sell my home?

Generally, State laws require that sellers disclose any problems that a home may have. Termite and wood destroying organism problems are included. So, a ‘wood destroying organisms’ (termite) inspection is required. State laws do not generally require that you do anything about the problems, just that you disclose them. However, the ‘Golden Rule’ ( the one with the gold ($) rules) comes into effect on the sale of the home. The lender will usually require that wood destroying infestations and/or infections be eliminated, before they fund the loan. So, unless the home is free of the above, they will not fund the loan. Thus the need to correct the problems before escrow will close.

I am selling my home, when is the best time to have my home inspected?

Before you agree on a selling price. Often agents may wait until you are in escrow to order a termite inspection. This is pretty typical and if you know there are termite problems and you have budgeted for them, you should be o.k.. However, if this is not the case and you want to know if you will incur any additional expenses after you get into escrow (sellers are usually required to take care of any termite problems), get an inspection before you negotiate a price. This is especially important if you are upside down on your mortgage or are on a tight budget. Order a discounted inspection for escrow/real estate purposes on our Realtors page.

Why should CVA inspect or treat my home?

CVA prides itself on having the most informed customers in the business. We think our web site is a testament to that fact. Read our Guiding Philosophy and our Mission Statement. They represent what CVA Exterminators stands for, strives for and believes. Unlike many other companies in our industry which tell their customers little about what they do, how they do it, or why they do it. We realize that informed people make better decisions and usually they are happier with the decisions they make. We like to think our customers are informed and very happy with our work.