I teamed up with Colten from Firehouse Pest Control to walk through a home in Tempe, Arizona with heavy termite damage, some of it uncovered during a flip. We point out old and active activity and talk through how termites are actually treated here, so you know what a pest company is doing when they show up.
How termite treatment works in Arizona
- Drill and fill: holes are drilled every 12 to 18 inches along the foundation and filled with termiticide, creating a treated barrier where subterranean termites come up from the soil.
- Trenching: soil along the outside of the foundation is trenched and treated.
- Foaming: foam is injected inside walls when the termites are hiding where a liquid can’t reach.
Depending on the house, a proper treatment can take 100 to 300 gallons of termiticide. Warranty options run up to five years, depending on what the homeowner needs.
Where we found the damage
- Around the garage and along the baseboards.
- Concentrated near high-moisture areas like the water heater closet.
- In the attic, along with broken truss repairs, missing soffit vents and old water damage from roof leaks.
Conditions that invite termites
Outside, we talked about conducive conditions, the things that make termite problems worse. The big one here was standing water near the irrigation system. Termites need moisture, so wet soil against the foundation is an open invitation. Fix leaks, aim sprinklers away from the walls and keep the weep screed at the bottom of your stucco uncovered.
A termite warranty with every inspection
Thanks to my partnership with Firehouse Pest Control in Gilbert, every home inspection I do includes a termite (WDO) inspection at no extra charge and a 1-year termite warranty when no active termites are found. It’s one more way to give buyers peace of mind on a big purchase. For warning signs you can check yourself, read how to spot termites in your Arizona home.
Watch the full walkthrough
See the damage and the treatment explanation in the video above, or watch it on YouTube. Book your inspection online or call 623-399-0079.
Property Inspections Plus is a Gilbert, AZ home inspection company led by Certified Master Inspector Dan Pierce. We inspect homes across the East Valley, the Phoenix metro and the rest of Arizona. See all of our service areas.
