FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TERMITES AND TERMITE DAMAGE

Q: When should I worry about termites?

A:  Termites are a problem in 49 of the 50 states and work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Termites are most active during “swarm season,” which can occur between March and October depending on location. Termites should also be a priority if you are remodeling, buying or building a home. Smart homeowners can protect their largest single investment through awareness and action.

Q:  This has been such a cold winter, will the cold weather kill the termites?

A:  Unfortunately, the cold weather only makes termites burrow deeper into the warmth of your home. Termites do not fare well in dry, cold weather; that's why they forage inside homes. Termites are silent destroyers and will be at work within the house 24/7 365 days a year. That’s why it’s so important to have a trained pest management professional inspect your home.

Q:  How will I know my home is infested with termites?

A:  Termites are silent destroyers. Because you may never see these behind-the-scenes workers until it is too late, it is important to get an annual termite inspection much like an annual doctor’s appointment. Termites are sometimes visible during swarm season, when clouds of flying termites (“alates” or “swarmers”) can occur both indoors and outdoors. You may also find small piles of papery wings that these alates have left behind on windowsills or floors. Other warning signs include sagging floors, crumbling drywood, tiny holes in walls or other wood surfaces. Bubbled paint or visible mud tubes over concrete and soil may also be signs that termites are present.

Q:  If I think I have an infestation, what should I do? 

A: The first step to fighting termites is to get a thorough inspection by a trained termite specialist immediately.

Q:  Will termites attack a new home?

A:  Termites will eat anything made of wood, including a brand new home. Termite damage can begin immediately following construction. Wood treated with a termicide protects the home from termites. Homeowners can also prevent termites by treating the soil beneath the concrete slab or foundation, creating a “Treated Zone” around the home during the pre-construction phase.   

Q:  What can I do to prevent termites?

A:  Termites thrive in moist conditions with plenty of wood. The following tips can help to minimize your risk for a termite infestation.

• Keep gutters free of leaves and other debris. Downspouts must drain freely and away from the house, at a distance of at least three feet.


• Do not keep wooden items close to the house. For example, firewood should be stored away from the home.  Wood mulch can also attract termites to the home.


• Because termites need only the width of a piece of paper to access the house, make sure that all entry points, like cracks in the foundation or utility openings, are sealed. You should also caulk windows and doors, favorite stomping grounds for termites.


• Make certain that there is no wood-to-earth contact. Any wood construction material on your home should be at least six inches from the soil.


• As a rule of thumb, monitor those areas of the home that are chronically damp or where wood comes in contact with the structure.

If you are constructing a new home, contact Guardian about pretreatment options. 

Q:  What are my treatment options?

A:  Treatment for termites varies by species and degree of infestation. Recent product advances give termite specialist a wide range of options for treatment, minimizing hassle and maximizing results.

Q:  Where can I find more information on termites, inspection, and treatment?

A:  For more information, call Guardian at 801-225-6000 in Utah County or 801-269-9500 for Salt Lake County and 801-544-4300 for Davis County.