Every year termites cause billions in damage to homes. This document provides tips on identifying termites through mud tubes or damage, and controlling infestation through proper construction practices like concrete foundations and wood sealing, as well as ongoing maintenance of drainage, vents, and sealing of cracks or holes where termites could enter. Homeowners should inspect periodically and contact pest control professionals if needed to prevent costly termite damage.

1. ““How To Control Termites in LosHow To Control Termites in Los
Angeles”Angeles”
Prevent damage to your homePrevent damage to your home
and propertyand property
www.terminex.comwww.terminex.com

2. Identify and Control TermitesIdentify and Control Termites
 Every year termites cause billions ofEvery year termites cause billions of
dollars in structural damage, and propertydollars in structural damage, and property
owners spend over two billion dollars toowners spend over two billion dollars to
treat them.treat them.

3. Identify and Control TermitesIdentify and Control Termites
 This fact sheet focuses on how you canThis fact sheet focuses on how you can
identify and help protect your propertyidentify and help protect your property
from termites.from termites.

4. How do I know if I haveHow do I know if I have
termites?termites?
 The first step in prevention is to be on theThe first step in prevention is to be on the
alert for termites. Termites rarely emergealert for termites. Termites rarely emerge
from soil, mud tubes, or food sourcesfrom soil, mud tubes, or food sources
through which they are tunneling.through which they are tunneling.

5. How do I know if I haveHow do I know if I have
termites?termites?
 Most people are not aware they haveMost people are not aware they have
termites until they see a swarm or cometermites until they see a swarm or come
across damage during construction.across damage during construction.
 Some of the ways to discover if you haveSome of the ways to discover if you have
termites are:termites are:

6. How do I know if I haveHow do I know if I have
termites?termites?
 Look for mud tubes with small, creamy-Look for mud tubes with small, creamy-
white insectswhite insects
 Examine, by probing, exposed wood forExamine, by probing, exposed wood for
hollow spots (using a flathead screwdriverhollow spots (using a flathead screwdriver
or similar tool)or similar tool)
 Identify termite swarms (sometimes antIdentify termite swarms (sometimes ant
swarms are mistaken as termites)swarms are mistaken as termites)

7. Ant or Termite? Compare…Ant or Termite? Compare…
Ant Termite

8. How can I prevent termiteHow can I prevent termite
infestation?infestation?
 Make the structure less attractive toMake the structure less attractive to
termites ---termites ---
During construction, use a concrete foundation andDuring construction, use a concrete foundation and
leave a ventilation space between the soil and wood.leave a ventilation space between the soil and wood.
Cover exposed wood surfaces with a sealant or metalCover exposed wood surfaces with a sealant or metal
barrier.barrier.

9. Maintain the termiteMaintain the termite
prevention featuresprevention features
 After construction, keep the soil aroundAfter construction, keep the soil around
the foundation dry through proper gradingthe foundation dry through proper grading
and drainage (including maintenance ofand drainage (including maintenance of
gutters and downspouts).gutters and downspouts).
 Keep vents free from blockage, includingKeep vents free from blockage, including
plants.plants.

10. Maintain the termiteMaintain the termite
prevention featuresprevention features
 Reduce openings that offer termitesReduce openings that offer termites
access to the structure (filling cracks inaccess to the structure (filling cracks in
cement foundations as well as aroundcement foundations as well as around
where utilities pass through the wall withwhere utilities pass through the wall with
cement, grout, or caulk).cement, grout, or caulk).
 Fix leaks immediately.Fix leaks immediately.

11. Maintain the termiteMaintain the termite
prevention featuresprevention features
 Ensure that trees and shrubs are notEnsure that trees and shrubs are not
planted too close to the structure and doplanted too close to the structure and do
not allow them to grow against exposednot allow them to grow against exposed
wood surfaces.wood surfaces.
 Inspect periodically to help ensure thatInspect periodically to help ensure that
termite colonies do not becometermite colonies do not become
established.established.

12. Learn MoreLearn More
 These tips were compiled from the U.S.These tips were compiled from the U.S.
EPA websiteEPA website
 Visit:Visit:
http://www.epa.govhttp://www.epa.gov