Drywood termites, they nest in the wood and feed on the wood. They love soft wood like douglas fir, which is widely used in construction in Southern California. The first sign of drywood termites can be an accumulation of little pellets in a location, or, the swarming of a lot of reproductive termites out of an area.

Fumigation

Fumigation (the introduction of a lethal gas into a structure) is a method that can eradicate 100% drywood termites in a structure. That means the drywood termites will be killed in the inaccessible (hidden places) areas of the structure where they cannot be seen. This is the best method when possible to use. It takes 3 days for the fumigation process. The structure must be vacated for 2 nights, with re-entry possible on the 3rd day. It’s worth the inconvenience to eradicate the drywood termites the most effective way the first time. There will be a 2 year warranty.

Documents for fumigation from GC Extermination Inc:

• Occupants fumigation notice
• Instructions for fumigation
• Terms-conditions-release of liability

For more fumigation information, go to www.termitetenting.com

Local spot treatment

Local spot treatment for drywood termites can be done to areas of the structure that are accessible (reachable). Only those areas can be treated. Small holes 3/32 of an inch are drilled into the infested wood and a chemical injected through the holes and into the chambers of the termite nest, plug holes with wood filler. The inaccessible areas will not be treated. One year warranty applies to areas treated.

Subterranean termites, which do the most damage to a structure, nest in the soil and travel up to the wood structure in dirt tubes. The ground area must be treated with a chemical to create a chemical barrier between the subterranean termite colony and the wood structure. There are various methods of treatment:

1. Trench the soil, apply the chemical in the trench, and put the dirt that was dug out back into the trench to cover the chemical.
   
   
2. Drill ½ inch holes a foot apart through a concrete slab and inject the chemical into the earth-fill (soil) below, and plug the holes with cement mix.
   
   
3. Rod treat the soil, which is to drill into the soil along and next to the foundation wall, aimed at the area above the foundation footing, inject the chemical into the void area, plug holes with dirt. One year warranty applies to areas treated.

For more termite information, visit http://acwm.co.la.ca.us/scripts/gerfumi.htm The web site of the county of Los Angeles Agricultural Commissioner-Weights & Measures. Also, visit the website www.termite.com

Repairs

Wood damaged by termites and fungus can be replaced, in most cases, by GC Extermination Inc. We repair or replace rafter ends, eaves, fascia boards, moldings, substructure framing, floors, doors, studs, etc.

Stall showers are water tested for leakage through the pan. We install shower pans. This is usually done by tearing out the bottom of the shower, and two rows up the wall from the bottom, to expose the framing. Damaged wood is replaced or reinforced, and the pan (hot mopped tar) is installed, put cement and install new tile in the repair section.