The most common question asked by new homeowners in Phoenix is, “Are termites common in Arizona?” The most common answer is, “It’s not if you’ll get termites…but when!”
That’s a pretty darn accurate (and cliche) answer, but it’s not like your house is going to fall to the ground next week. So relax a little and take some time deciding what course of action to take. But do take action sooner rather than later!
Termite Damage in Arizona is real. But don’t believe all the hype you read on the internet!
The most common question asked by new homeowners in Phoenix is, “Are termites common in Arizona?” The most common answer is, “It’s not if you’ll get termites…but when!”
That’s a pretty darn accurate (and cliche) answer, but it’s not like your house is going to fall to the ground next week. So relax a little and take some time deciding what course of action to take. But do take action sooner rather than later!
Termite Damage
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, termite control and repair costs American homeowners $3 to $4 billion per year. Termites cause more damage than tornadoes, hail storms, wind storms, and hurricanes combined. We’ve all seen pictures of
In Arizona, this type of termite damage only occurs in homes that are neglected for a significant length of time. Most homeowners who want to protect their number one investment will get their home treated long before this type of damage has occurred.
Types of Termites
There are two categories of Termites in Arizona that should concern homeowners according to the University of Arizona Entomology Department. Drywood Termites and Subterranean Termites are the most prevalent “pests” in Phoenix.
Drywood Termites
Drywood Termites are not as common but can do a lot of damage if left untreated. Drywood Termites are not common to our area of North Phoenix but are sometimes brought here in furniture or cardboard moving boxes.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean Termites are the most prevalent termite in our area of North Phoenix. They live underground and can have up to 13 or 14 colonies per acre. Each colony can have up to one million termites. If left untreated, subterranean termites can be a significant threat to our homes.
LIVE IN PHOENIX? HAVE TERMITES?
Get your home treated and put your mind at ease!
What do Termites look like?
Termites are nasty looking creatures. ScienceNews.org describes Termites as Cockroaches with a Fancy Social Life. Seriously!
Termites, however, are much smaller than cockroaches and you really have to look closely to see them squirm. You’ll likely see the signs of termites long before you’ll see the pests themselves.
Exterior Signs of Termites
The signs of subterranean termites and the signs of termite damage are easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for. Drywood termites are more difficult to spot and but could include hollow sounding wood and bubbling paint.
If you see termite mud tubes on your exterior foundation wall or inside your garage like the following pictures, you can be assured that you likely have a problem.
Interior Signs of Termites
If you find Termite Mud Tubes hanging from the ceiling during an inspection of the interior of your home, you have found another sure sign of subterranean termite activity.
Termite Damage
Here are a few pictures of termite damage that can happen if you don’t get your home treated. BUT…this kind of damage is not going to happen overnight.
The one thing to keep in mind is that termites can be doing damage to your home for quite some time before you ever see signs of them. Get your home treated for termites but don’t have a heart attack if you see a mud tube. 😎
IF YOU LIVE IN PHOENIX…
Get your home treated and put your mind at ease!
Termite Control in Phoenix
Termite Control in Phoenix is usually achieved by by a liquid barrier like “Termidor”, or by a population control method such as “Baiting Systems”.
A liquid termiticide like Termidor is applied around the foundation and injected into holes drilled in patios to form a barrier between the soil where termites live and any wood products that termites might be attracted to. This is the primary method of control, especially with subterranean termites. Termidor is typically considered the best way to elimite termite problems provided it is applied correctly.
Baiting systems are sometimes also used. The edible bait is brought back to the colony and transferred to other termites through grooming and food sharing.
Bait systems are easier to install but have proven to have varying success rates according to the University of Arizona Department of Entomology.
Termite Treatment Video
This video is of a full termite treatment done for one of the members of the North Phoenix Buyers Club. This Termite Treatment included a termite inspection, trenching, rodding and interior spray and foam.
Goals for Treatment
Treatment Quality
Quality of Treatment was first and foremost. Although all participants were required to give a five-year warranty without any annual fees, homeowners would prefer to have the job done once and never have to think about it again.
Service Cost
Cost was not the primary factor but was very important. With termite treatment ranging from the hundreds into the thousands it became quite clear that, in many instances, the cost can be attributed to “what the market will bear”.
Warranty Record
All contractors were required to provide a 5-year warranty without annual fees. That’s great as long as the contractor is still in business in 5 years time. With hundreds of termite contractors in the valley and many companies going out of business or sold every year; will that warranty be available if we need it?
The Best Treatment Chemicals for Termite Control
After reading countless articles and speaking to many contractors over the past couple of months, I have found that the hands-down most used and effective termite control chemical in the United States (including Arizona) is Fipronil.
Most contractors use a Fipronil product with the brand name Termidor, although many use a product called Taurus which contains the exact same formulation. The Termidor patent has now expired and Taurus comes at a lower cost.
One of the contractors in this report uses a product which contains Fipronil and Imidacloprid. I found much less evidence of its efficacy as it’s a newer product on the market.
How Appropriate Termite Contractors Were Selected
Reasons for Inclusion
- Highly recommended by neighbors on our NextDoor post
- Companies with a large number of Treatments done in 2017 (according to Dept of Agriculture TARF Report)
- Few if any consumer complaints on the Dept of Ag website
- High number of years in business
- Reviews from Social Media and other consumer sites
- Contractor on-line survey
- Telephone Interview
- In-Person Inspection
Reasons for Exclusion
- Companies with a small number of Treatments done in 2017 (according to Dept of Agriculture TARF Report)
- Several consumer complaints on the Dept of Ag website
- Companies with less than 7 years in business
- Companies who have changed names or operated under a different name in the past ten years
- Reviews from Social Media and other consumer sites
- Telephone Interview
- Contractor on-line survey
- Self Selection (“we don’t give 5-year warranties” or “we won’t give a group rate”)
Six Termite Contractors Compared
(in order of who surveyed first)Read all the information and author comments on our six termite contractors.
Please write Comments and Questions below
If I can’t answer a question…maybe someone else can….or I’ll go find the answer. Once we have answered questions we will vote as a group and pick the best termite contractor for The North Phoenix Buyers Club.
Next Steps
The North Phoenix Buyers Club has organized a Group Buy for Termite Treatment.
Read the post with our Termite Contractor Reviews or the Reviews of the Termite Treatment Group Buy by verified neighbors.
Alternatively…
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