QC - Termites

Termites

What are the different kinds of termites?

There are basically three types of termites that we encounter in Southern California:

1. Drywood Termites

2. Subterranean Termites

3. Dampwood Termites

How do I know if I have termites?

First & foremost, we recommend to have yearly inspections on your home which Quality Care provides at no charge.

Drywood Termites - The most common evidence of these termites are their droppings. Droppings are fairly easy to detect. They resemble sand or coffee-like granules which are golden to reddish-brown in color. You are also able to detect their wings during the early spring and late fall. Drywood termites will fly (swarm) out of their colonies to the nearest light source rich in cellulose (your home). Once this destination is reached, they shed their wings right before boring into wood and mating. You may see a few or as many as a hundred in certain areas.

Subterranean Termites - The most common way to detect subterranean termites are their mud tubes which are approximately a quarter inch in diameter and they extend from the ground to the nearest wood source. The most common areas to detect these termites are areas where heat radiates and/or moisture and dampness occurs such as water heater spaces, furnaces, water pipes, refrigerator, washer & dryers, outside water sources, showers & tubs, toilets, sink areas, dishwasher spaces, and underneath houses on raised foundations.

Dampwood Termites - These termites are rare but are occasionally found in homes with severe water damage. Dampwood termites are the largest of the termites ranging from one to one and a half inches in size with four large wings of equal size. They prefer to live in damp wood that is severely decayed.

What kind of treatment is available?

There are many types of treatment that exist along with a lot of confusion on when to local treat or fumigate a property. We, at Quality Care Termite, personally believe that local treatments are effective only when:
1. A thorough inspection has been made
2. A proper recommendation of each finding has been made
3. When termites are minimal and exist in visible and accessible areas
4. Even if termites exist in inaccessible areas, that area must be practical and cost efficient to open, treat, and close these areas.
5. When severely damaged wood is to be removed and replaced to minimize the amount of infestation left for a treatment.
6. Most of all, to have a quality staff that cares enough to perform a quality treatment required to eliminate your termite problem along with your concerns. For more information on the type of chemicals we use, call us at

What kind of damage can termites do?

If termites are left undetected, they can do severe damage that requires thousands of dollars to repair. This is why we suggest to have yearly inspections which Quality Care Termite Control provides at no charge.

Termite Pellets (droppings)
Light termite damage
Severe termite damage