FAQs

Naturally, we'd like you to keep your children out of the rooms and areas where our Service Technician is working. And, if we apply any liquid sprays, you should keep them away from treated areas until dry.

The same precautions that apply to children should be taken for your pets. However, if you have birds, tropical fish, or other exotic pets, let your Service Technician know in case other special precautions are necessary.

Our inspections and treatments will not harm plants. Plants, however, can be the source of pest problems. This is especially the case when they are brought inside for the winter.

Not during regular service visits. We ask that you keep food covered and put away. However, special preparation may be needed if infestation from food-infesting insects occurs. Our trained staff will let you know in advance if this is necessary.

Normally no. Most of the materials we use are odorless and have no noxious fumes. However, some do have a slight odor, similar to common household cleaners, and it dissipates quickly. If you are sensitive to odors, let us know and we can alter treatment.

Normally no, that is what Take Care Termite is about. Our philosophy is one of prudence. Sometimes it makes sense to treat only the outside or to treat limited areas inside the home. It really depends on a variety of factors: what kind of pest, the type of structure and so on. Our licensed Service Technician will only treat when all safety requirements have been met.

No problem. Just call our office and we'll be right out. NO CHARGE, of course, for covered pests.

Termite infestations can go completely undetected for months, sometimes years. It not always obvious when termites infest a structure. It takes a trained professional to spot the subtle signs that a termite infestation is currently active. Sometimes there are indications such as fecal beads along baseboards or on shelves. Fecal pellets look like brown colored grainy sand. Another indicator is wood that become spongy to the touch or crumbles when pressed on. A more obvious indicator is when the termites "swarm". Termites are attracted by bright light and winged termites will fly towards the light, usually ending up swarming around a brightly lit window or glass door that leads to the outside. In many cases there are no obvious external indicators that your home may, in fact, have an active termite colony.

Subterranean termites are social insects that live in nests or colonies in the soil, hence their name “subterranean.” Signs of subterranean termites are dirt or mud-like tubes or trails found on the structure. The most common method to control subterranean termites is treating the soil with a registered termiticide.

Drywood termites are also social insects that live in colonies in dry wood and do not need any contact with soil. Drywood termites leave sawdust-like droppings or pellets. Fumigation or “tenting” of a structure is the most effective method for eradicating drywood termites. In some cases, other forms of local treatments can be applied.

Both subterranean and drywood termites “fly” or swarm, especially in the spring or fall.

Inspecting for signs of termites isn't a simple task.  Often the signals are impossible for the untrained eye to detect.  And almost always they are in places that are very difficult to reach.

If your home is up for sale a complete inspection will provide the information you need prior to placing your home on the market.  This inspection will also reveal situations that you might remedy yourself--rarely, during escrow, will the home-buyer be comfortable with the seller performing these repairs/adjustments.  This also gives you information regarding the cost of the termite clearance which you may or may not need to sell your property. 

Ordering a  thorough inspection from Take Care Termite is the most intelligent strategy you can use against termite infestation.

Order your inspection today! Call (209) 832-7300 or use our online service request.

Besides termites, there are several other organisms which, can feed on the wood in your home, include: carpenter ants, and carpenter bees. 

Powder-post beetles are second only to termites in the severity of their destruction.  Like termites, they can also do extensive damage before their presence is known.

Excessive moisture conditions, like plumbing leaks, or damaged toilet seals, will lead to fungus growth and wood rot.  When the humidity level is high in wood members you will find fungus.  If detected early a fungicide can be applied to halt fungus growth.  If the infection is severe it will be necessary to remove and replace the damaged/infected wood members.  In all cases of fungus infection there is an excessive moisture condition that must be eliminated to prevent future fungus growth.