February 2010 Newsletter

Why Subterranean Termites Swarm And What You Can Do To Stop Them

    During the months of February, March and April, it’s common to see swarming subterranean termites in Orange County. You may be outside and see swarms of these termites flying around the exterior of your home. Or, maybe you’ll come home from work one day and see hundreds of them flying around inside.

    These swarms are part of the termite’s mating ritual. On a sunny day in the spring, particularly after a rain, the young kings and queens will take off on the “honeymoon” flight.

    The first thing you’ll notice about these termites is that they look like flying ants. Their bodies are almost black and about ¼ inch long. There are two easy ways that you tell the difference between termites and ants:

• 1. Termites only have two body parts - a head and an abdomen. Ant’s have three body parts and a distinctive constricted waste between their thorax and abdomen.
• 2. Termites have two large pairs of wings that are almost twice the length of their body. Ants have two pairs of wings that are not equal in length and the wings are much shorter than their body length.

    Another thing you’ll notice about these kings and queens is that they are radically different than their whitish worker termites that almost look like six legged maggots. Worker termites are blind - All they do is eat wood 24/7.

    When the conditions are right, the young kings and queens burst out of their nest and begin their short flight. They are poor fliers and often follow the prevailing breeze. They break off their wings while still in flight and spiral down to the earth or, they may land and then remove their wings. Kings and queens are not attracted to one another until the wings have been clipped off. They have a very high mortality rate - only about 3% survive.

    Once a king finds a queen to pair off with, he follows her around until she finds a place to call home. Perhaps they will do this by excavating a small cell in moist ground, under wood. About a week later, they will mate and the male will stay with her for the rest of his life. The queen may survive up to 25 years and lay as many as 60,000 eggs.

    Many homeowners are completely unaware that they have a subterranean termite problem until they see these swarmers in their home. While most homeowners won’t appreciate finding these swarmers, it’s actually a very good thing in most cases. Otherwise, these subterranean termites could potentially destroy a structure and no one would ever know until it was too late.

Don’t Let This Happen To You!

    I’ll never forget one house we treated in our area. The owner decided one day to change the carpet in his home. Once he lifted the carpet, he noticed that the carpet tack strip and baseboards were badly damaged. He didn’t think it was any big deal and proceeded to replace them. But, once he started trying to nail on the new ones, he noticed that whole wall started wobbling. He removed a portion of the drywall and found that the wall studs and sill plate were destroyed. By the time we got there later that afternoon, he had hired a contractor. The entire living room wall and ceiling had been opened up and the whole backside of the house had to be supported with temporary post. Almost all of the wall and ceiling in these areas were destroyed. You can only imagine how expensive this kind of a repair job would be. Not to mention it’s very messy and inconvenient, too.

This Could Have Easily Been Prevented!

After talking with the owner, he admitted that he had seen subterranean termite swarmers in this very room for several years in a row, prior to this day. Had he taken care of this problem when he first saw the swarmers, he may have been able to avoid this big mess and huge expense.

     What was our fee for treating the termites you ask? It was only $450.00! If you ever see termite swarmers in your home, don’t ignore it. Call us at (949)631-7348 or click on order form , we’ll perform a thorough inspection and customize a treatment program for your home.

10 Things You Can Do To Prevent Subterranean Termites

• 1. In new construction, use termite shields on foundations, piers and between wooden steps or porches and the main structure to prevent termite access from the soil. We strongly recommend that soil treatments be performed prior to pouring of the foundation to prevent subterranean termites. Treatment of new wood members with borate solutions can also be very effective in preventing both drywood and subterranean termite infestations.
• 2. Eliminate wood contact with the ground (e.g. by replacing wooden posts and piers with concrete ones and by supporting wooden steps on a concrete base at least 6 inches above the ground).
• 3. Regrade soil around the perimeter to ensure drainage away from the building and to maintain at least 6 inches clearance between wood siding or shingles and the ground.
• 4. Ensure there is at least 18 inches clearance in crawl spaces between all horizontal timbers and the ground.
• 5. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces by ensuring adequate cross-ventilation. Covering the ground witha plastic moisture barrierwill reduce humidity under buildings by reducing evaporation from the soil.
• 6. Remove any wooden debris which might become a source of infestation beneath the building, including scrap wood, form boards, old tree roots, and even sawdust.
• 7. Fill any crevices or voids where they might help subterranean termites move from the ground to wood in buildings, including foundation cracks, hollow blocks, gaps between stucco and the wall and crevices around pipework.
• 8. Remove infested stumps and trees near buildings.
• 9. Eliminate sources of excess moisture such as plumbing and roof leaks. Make sure sprinklers are adjusted and stay away from the house.

• 10. Have your home inspected on an annual basis and if a problem is spotted, take care of it quickly.

  Have a termite problem and need an inspection? Call our office at (949)631-7348 or click on order form and to schedule an appointment at your convenience.

Rave Reviews!

    While I have used your services professionally with my real estate business for several years, I had never had any personal needs until recently.

    When rodents invaded my attic and garage, you sent your “ace” eradicator “D.J.” (David Salamin) out to handle the problem. I am so impressed by not only his effectiveness with treatment, but his professionalism, follow-up and great personality!

    I feel so fortunate to have your company as a resource for not only my clients, but as someone who I can refer my friends and family to as well for a trusted “pest” remedy. Thanks Again!

-Susanne D’Arcy, Seven Gables Real Estate, Anaheim.

    We recently got three inspections for termite damage on our house. We choose Terry to do our work because of his thoroughness, our need for repair work, which they could also provide and a great posted yelp review at the time from a contractor who said that all the prep work of replaced woodwork was the best he ever encountered after termite treatments had occurred. Terry and all his employees were consummate professionals. He is honest, fair and goes the extra mile to assure customer satisfaction.  The first day Jose and crew replaced the woodwork, I was astounded to see that the job site was the most clean I had ever seen after workmen had been at my house. They worked around our schedule, which was great.  We weren’t looking to fumigate originally, but our situation warranted it and this company did an exceptionally good job.  Thanks to everyone at Termite Terry’s!

-Mary Heidbrink, Irvine.

Killer Bees Hiding Out Under A Tree!

    A homeowner called and told us that he had a problem with bees and asked if we could help. Over the years, he had already paid other companies to take care of these bees, but none of them had succeded. 

    “D.J.”, our pest control technician, got there and saw that the bees had built a hive under an old, big tree that had been planted back in the 1950’s. After taking a closer look, he came to the conclusion that an animal, possibly an opossum or raccoon, had dug out a large cavity under this tree. Apparently, the bees really liked this large hole and they proceeded to build a very large hive inside of it. “D.J.” estimates that this hive was at least 3 feet wide and 5 feet long! The honey combs were attached to the base of the tree’s roots.

    “D.J.” knew that this was going to be a tough problem to deal with because these were killer bees and there was no way that he could gain access to treat the entire hive. If he started spraying down into the hole, his materials would just hit the ground below the nest. That would really upset the bees and the last thing that he wanted to see was a huge swarm of killer bees flying all around this customer’s home. So, he decided to use his “secret” weapon. He grabbed a plastic trash bag out of his truck and carefully placed it over the hole so as to not disturb the bees. Dirt and a few old bricks laying near by, were placed around the edge of this bag to seal it off. A small hole was punctured through the plastic. He took a can of “pyrethrum“(made from chrysanthemum flowers) with a small straw attached. He inserted the straw through the hole in the plastic and pulled the trigger. The bees went crazy and you could really hear them roar. But, “D.J.” kept his cool and didn’t back off. Only a minute or two went by and the roar diminished into complete silence. 

    The area was dug out and 30 to 40 pounds of honey comb were removed. Afterwards, he completely packed the hole with dirt to make sure that bees would never come back to this spot, ever again. The owner was really impressed with “D.J.’s” work. No bees escaped, no one was stung and he said that he had never seen any of the other companies’ technicians come close to doing anything like this before.

    Have a problem with bees? Call (949) 631-7348 or click on order form and we’ll be glad to take care of it for you.

Terry’s Recession Bail Out Program

    We’ve all heard politicians tell us how they’re going to get us out of our current recession and for the most part, their promises have all come up short. However, Termite Terry has a plan and we’d like to tell you about three families that can prove his plan is working!

    Leonard and Petra Pypaert of Long Beach, referred our services to Jerry and Judy Weigel, also of Long Beach. Termite Terry sent them a 50.00 Target gift card.

    Kent Warner of Los Alamitos recommended our service to his son, David Warner of Long Beach and received a 50.00 gas card.

    Robert and Tammy Yeo of Walnut referred our service to the Paolini family of San Dimas and they got a 50.00 Home Depot card.

   To receive your “bailout”, all you have to do is tell your friends and neighbors about our service and if they have us do work on their home, you’ll get the financial assistance you need! This bailout program really does work!

The History Of Valentine’s Day

    St. Valentine’s Day is a day where we have long celebrated romance and when you study it’s history, you will find that it traces back to both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.

    Who is St. Valentine and how did he become associated with this holiday? Well, today, the Catholic Church recognizes three saints with the name of Valentine or Valentinus and all three of these men were martyred.

    There’s one legend where Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome. During that time, the Emperor Claudius II, decided that single men made better soldiers and he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine felt that this was unjust and continued to marry young couples in secret. Claudius had him executed.

    Some stories suggest that Valentine may have been put to death for helping Christians escape from Roman prisons where they were beaten and tortured.

    Another legend says that Valentine may have sent the very first “valentine” greeting while he was in prison, before his death. They believe that he fell in love with a young girl that may have been the jailer’s daughter. She would come and visit while he was confined. They allege that he wrote her a letter and signed it, “From Your Valentine”.

    Many celebrate Valentine’s day in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death, some- time around 270 A.D..

    Others believe that the Christian church decided to celebrate Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February to “Christianize” the ancient Roman festival of “Lupercalia”. That is when everyone would start their “spring cleaning”. It was also a fertility festival dedicated to “Faunus”, the Roman god of agriculture and to Roman founders, Romulus and Remus.

    Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world and lovers will share many cards, candy, flowers and gifts in his honor.

Dead Rat Stinks Out Lawyer’s Office!

    “D.J.” got a call from a large law office, saying that there was a dead rat somewhere in the ceiling or walls and they needed this problem fixed right away. Candles and air freshener were not at all effective and none of their office staff or high dollar clients could take that awful smell anymore.

     He got to this office after closing time, started his search and found the area where the odor was strongest. After checking further, he determined that the rat must be in one of the building’s columns. The ceiling tiles above this column were removed and he could see down inside. There were signs of rat droppings and nesting materials, so he knew he was close. But, the column was made of stucco and the only way he could be sure was to knock a hole in it at the bottom. The law office gave him the go ahead. He didn’t want to destroy the place, so he started off by drilling a small “test” hole through the column. As soon as the hole was made, a “literal cloud of that wicked smell” came out and he knew he had found the right spot. A larger hole, about the size of a baseball was made and he was able to reach inside and pull the dead rat out.

     The lawyer was glad to have his problem solved and was also impressed that “D.J.” chose to put this hole at the bottom, behind a baseboard. Once the hole was patched up and the baseboard replaced, no one would know that there was ever a problem!

 Have a problem with rats? Call our office for a complimentary audit at (949) 631-7348 or click on order form.

Termite Terry is on the front page of The O.C. Register!

First, he was strapped in a straight jacket for giving out outrageous deals.  During the month of halloween, he went into his Letip group meeting as Colombo, because “Termite” Terry doesn’t like boring presentations. And now, Termite Terry as the Terminator was claimed to be Costa Mesa’s Watchdog. Click on this link: Termite Terry news story on Orange County Register to read the article and how Terry got his new nickname, “Watchdog”. See….he’s not so boring after all. Terry is having fun at work. Now, let “Termite” Terry be your WATCHDOG for all of your termites & pest problems.

Don’t forget to read some of our readers comments on the O.C. Register website.

January 2010 Newsletter

What A Different A Century Years Makes!

It’s a brand New Year and before we start trying to keep our New Years resolutions, I thought it would be fun to go back and look at what our country was like in 1909. Please note that this was only 100 short years ago and be prepared to have your mind blown! Here are some 1909 statistics:

• The average life expectancy was only 47 years.
• Only 14 percent of homes had a bathtub.
• Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone.
• There were no refrigerators, radios or television sets.
• There were only 8,000 cars and we only had 144 miles of paved roads in the whole country!
• Fuel for cars was purchased only in drug stores!
• The speed limit in most cities was only 10 mph!
• The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
• The average American worker earned 22¢ per hour.
• Good accountants earned $2,000 per year, dentist earned $2,500 per year, veterinarians earned $1,500 to $4,000 per year and mechanical engineers made about $5,000 per year.
• 95% of births took place in homes!
• 90% of doctors had no college education! Back then, they attended medical schools and many of those schools were condemned by the government as substandard.
• Sugar was 4 cents per pound.
• Eggs were 14 cents a dozen.
• Coffee was 15 cents per pound!
• Most women washed their hair only once per month and used borax or egg yolks.
• The five leading causes of death were:
  1. Pneumonia and influenza
  2. Tuberculosis
  3. Diarrhea
  4. Heart disease
  5. Stroke
• Our American flag had only 45 stars.
• Las Vegas had a population of only 30 people!
• Only 80% of adults could read or write.
• Only 6% of Americans graduated from high school!
• The entire USA reported only about 230 murders!
• Marijuana, heroin and morphine were all available at local drugstores. Pharmacist were know to say that heroin was good to clear your complexion, give buoyancy to your mind, keep your bowels regular and was a “perfect guardian of your health.”
• 18% of households had at least one full time servant or domestic help.
• 95% of the taxes we have now did not exist in 1909! Wow, we’ve really come a long way! Can you imagine what our country will be like in another 100 years? We’ve got a lot to cover in this month’s issue, so let’s get started!

Rave Reviews!

    Wow! The best decision I made this year. Termite Terry and his entire staff were amazing! I had to have my house tented and wood repairs needed to be made. The workmanship and professionalism was superior. Not only were they highly professional and hard workers but they actually took the time to educate me on termites and fumigation. I hardly ever recommend people but Termite Terry did such an excellent job that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to my neighbors, friends and family. If you need pest control, this is the company to turn to. They will take good care of you!

 -Lisa Mahdad, Huntington Beach.

    I recently had an inspection followed by extensive wood repairs and a fumigation. My situation was a bit more tricky than normal because I work in Asia for months at a time and had to arrange everything sight-unseen. Nevertheless, after speaking with Joe Johnston, I felt confident that we could manage the process remotely. Indeed, he did an excellent job of follow-up and kept me informed (with emails, calls and pictures) during each step along the way. I don’t normally arrange house repairs unless I can be present, but Joe communicated consistently, delivered on his promises and got the job done to my satisfaction.”

 -James Clarke, Tokyo Japan.

Orange County Homeowners Plagued By Rats

    Our phones have been ringing off the hook with calls from homeowners that are having problems with rats. We’re not exactly sure why this is happening, however, the cold weather is probably a major factor. The most common complaint we hear is that the rats are keeping people awake at night because they make a lot of noise as they scurry around in attics and walls. Another huge complaint we hear is when homeowners are literally stunk out of their homes by dead rats.
    The good news is that many of these problems can be prevented and that is why we would like to give you

10 Tips To Keep YourHome Rodent Free!

• 1. Store garbage in sound, metal containers with tight lids.
• 2. Store food in rodent-proof containers. In the case of pet food, only put out what pets will eat and don’t leave any food exposed overnight.
• 3. Regularly inspect food stocks, quickly clean up any food spills and dispose of any packages which have been penetrated by rodents.
• 4. Seal holes leading to wall voids and pick up any long-term clutter or debris to reduce nesting opportunities for rodents.
• 5. Store firewood, boxes, etc. 18 inches off the ground and at least 1 foot from walls to reduce cover or nest sites for rodents.
• 6. Discourage rodents living too close to your home by trimming or removing vegetation around foundations and moving bird feeders and kennels further from the building.
• 7. Fit tightly closing exterior doors and keep all doors closed when not in use, including garage doors.
• 8. Cover exterior vents with 20-guage wire screen of 1/4 inch mesh to exclude rodents.
• 9. Patch any holes in exterior walls with concrete. Wire mesh can be rammed into small holes as a temporary measure to exclude rodents.
• 10. Check any incoming supplies, particularly boxes which have been stored in garages and outbuildings, to prevent hidden rodents being carried indoors.

Got Rats? How Can You Get Rid Of Them?

• 1. Make sure that you have completed the 10 steps listed above, first. There are a lot of rats in Orange County and there’s no way you’ll ever catch them all. You’ve got to do these steps, first, or you’ll drive yourself crazy!
• 2. Do not use poisonous baits on the inside of your home! I know, I know - The guys at the hardware store always tell you to put out some of their magic rat bait and once the rats eat it, they will get thirsty and go outside to die. But . . . We have to go out to a lot of homes and businesses to remove rats that have been poisoned. Ask anyone that has had to endure the foul odor of a dead rat and they will all tell you - Don’t use poison baits on the inside!
• 3. Use “old fashioned” snap traps! These will take a bit more effort but they are well worth it. The secret to good trapping is to put the traps in a runway where the rats frequent. Remember, rats have very poor vision and always follow walls and surfaces with their whiskers. So, if you place the trap away from their pathway, they may never even see it, much less step on it.
• 4. You may place rodent bait stations on the exterior to control the rat population. But, make sure that your home is rodent proofed, first!

 Need help with rodent control? Call our office at (949) 631-7348 or click on order form and we’ll be glad to assist.

“Termite” Terry’s Trip To The Redwood Forest

    Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Termite Terry and his wife Pam, went up to visit their daughter Marcia. She lives in Petaluma, which is about 40 minutes north of San Francisco. That’s a beautiful part of our state where they have wine vineyards as far as the eye can see. But, if you go further north, only about 30 minutes more, you can also visit the Armstrong Redwood State Natural Reserve. Termite Terry loves trees and when asked where he wanted to go first, he asked to go to see the redwood forest.

    The Armstrong Redwoods preserves magnificent “Sequoia sempervirens”, commonly known as the “coast redwood”. These trees are truly a testament to the wonders of the natural world. The ancient redwood is the tallest living thing on our planet. They live to be 500-1,000 years old, grow to a diameter of 12-16 feet in diameter and stand 200-250 feet tall.

     The park has some very nice hiking trails and once you get started through the forest, the first thing you notice is that it is very quiet there. The grove is so well shaded that few plants can grow that would offer food or shelter for animals. That’s why there are only a few birds and an occasional scolding squirrel that may be heard now and then.

    One of the highlights to see at the grove is the “Parson Jones Tree”. It measures more than 310 feet tall That’s longer than a football field!

    The oldest tree is the “Colonel Armstrong Tree”. It is estimated to be over 1,400 years old! The tree was named after Colonel James Boydston Armstrong, a Civil War veteran who was an early Sonoma County landowner. He was a lumber man and conservationist with a dream of turning his grove of ancient redwoods into public property forever. Colonel Armstrong died in 1891 and in 1917, Sonoma County purchased the land for $80,000.  In 1934, the county offered it to the state as a public park.

    The thing that really moved Termite Terry was when he saw where an old fallen tree had been cut in half. This tree must have been about 14 feet in diameter and you could see the many growth rings, which represent years of growth. This tree was over 1,400 years old. The growth rings on this tree were marked with dates showing many of the world’s major events. There were events dating back to around 600ad. They marked the spot that showed when Leif Ericson landed in North America in 995ad. And, way out near the edge, you could see the year of 1620 when the Pilgrims landed on our shores! It’s very hard to imagine that this tree was standing for that many years!

    Termite Terry highly recommends the Armstrong Redwoods as a great place to visit. There is a lot to see and you can easily spend a whole day there. It’s especially great for families because they’ve got miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, picnic areas, restrooms and admission is FREE! You can camp at the Austin Creek Recreation Area, located next to the park. It’s an experience that you and your family will never forget!

January Is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

    Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. From infants to seniors, everyone is vulnerable. It is the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans and Hispanics.

    They estimate that over 3 million Americans and close to 70 million people worldwide have this disease. Unfortunately, nearly half of them are not even aware that they have it. When you consider our aging population, it’s easy to predict an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.

    “Primary open glaucoma” is the most common type and it is hereditary. So, if you have glaucoma, it is important to let your family members know that they are at increased risk.

    The best way to protect your vision from this disease is to get a thorough eye examination. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, then you need to start treatments immediately.

    The mainstay of glaucoma treatment is to lower eye pressure with eye drops or surgery. Progression of visual field defects can be practically halted if eye pressure is lowered to correct levels.

    A number of strategies for glaucoma management are being investigated and someday they hope to find a cure.

    One particularly interesting strategy in controlling this diseases is “exercise”.  According to the University of Illinois, eye pressure can be lowered by exercise that raises the pulse just 20-25%. That could be as simple as taking a brisk walk for 20 minutes, four times a week! Or, maybe you’d rather ride your bike, jog, swim, take aerobic classes or cross country ski. Exercise may not cure everyone, but it might make all the difference in the world. Best of all, it’s cheap and it has great side effects!

74 Year Old Woman Mauled By A Pack Of Raccoons!

     A 74 year old woman was viciously attacked by a pack of raccoons in her front yard. She saw the raccoons in her front yard and went out to shew them away. But, in moments they were all over her. They knocked her down and she hit her head. Neighbors heard her screams for help and rushed to her aid. Witnesses say that she was taken to the hospital, covered with blood and in “rough shape”. Her legs were “filleted”, her face badly scarred and her back and chest were covered with scratches.

     Animal control officers spent the entire day trying to trap the animals, baiting them with cat food and sardines. They believe that the attack may have been caused because someone in the neighborhood has been feeding the animals and that now, this woman is suffering with severe injuries due to someone’s “misguided” kindness to animals.

    “Termite” Terry strongly recommends that you should never feed these animals. Besides being dangerous to your family and pets, they are also serious vectors of disease. It’s also very important that you don’t leave pet food dishes out after dark and that you keep all trash cans tightly covered so that you don’t attract them to your home.

    Have a problem with raccoons or other animals at your home? Call us for a free pest audit at (949) 631-7348 or click on order form  and we’ll be glad to assist.

Dead Rat Stinks Out Lawyer’s Office!

    “D.J.” got a call from a large law office, saying that there was a dead rat somewhere in the ceiling or walls and they needed this problem fixed right away. Candles and air freshener were not at all effective and none of their office staff or high dollar clients could take that awful smell anymore.

    He got to this office after closing time, started his search and found the area where the odor was strongest. After checking further, he determined that the rat must be in one of the building’s columns. The ceiling tiles above this column were removed and he could see down inside. There were signs of rat droppings and nesting materials, so he knew he was close. But, the column was made of stucco and the only way he could be sure was to knock a hole in it at the bottom. The law office gave him the go ahead. He didn’t want to destroy the place, so he started off by drilling a small “test” hole through the column. As soon as the hole was made, a “literal cloud of that wicked smell” came out and he knew he had found the right spot. A larger hole, about the size of a baseball was made and he was able to reach inside and pull the dead rat out.

    The lawyer was glad to have his problem solved and was also impressed that “D.J.” chose to put this hole at the bottom, behind a baseboard. Once the hole was patched up and the baseboard replaced, no one would ever know it had ever been done!

 Have a problem with rats? Call our office for a complimentary audit at (949) 631-7348 or click here for our online order form.

Rat job by David "DJ" Salamin, Pest Technician

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Killer Bees Hiding Out Under A Tree!

A homeowner called and told us that he had a problem with bees and asked if we could help. Over the years, he had already paid other companies to take care these bees, but they were never able to really get rid of the bees. 

 ”D.J.”, our pest control technician, got there and saw that the bees had built a hive under an old, big tree that had been planted back in the 1950’s. After taking a closer look, he came to the conclusion that an animal, possibly an opossum or raccoon, had dug out a large cavity under this tree. Apparently, the bees really liked this large hole and they proceeded to build a very large hive inside of it. “D.J.” estimates that this hive was at least 3 feet wide and 5 feet long! The honey combs were attached to the base of the tree’s roots.

 ”D.J.” knew that this was going to be a tough problem to deal with because these were killer bees and there was no way that he could gain access to treat the entire hive. If he started spraying down into the hole, his materials would just hit the ground below the nest. That would really upset the bees and the last thing that he wanted to see was a huge swarm of killer bees flying all around this customer’s home. So, he decided to use his “secret” weapon. He grabbed a plastic trash bag out of his truck and carefully placed it over the hole so as to not disturb the bees. Dirt and a few old bricks laying near by, were placed around the edge of this bag to seal it off. A small hole was punctured through the plastic. He took a can of “natural pyrethrum“(made from chrysanthemum flowers) with a small straw attached, inserted the straw through the hole in the plastic and pulled the trigger. The bees went crazy and you could really hear them roar. But, “D.J.” kept his cool and didn’t back off. Only a minute or two went by and the roar diminished into complete silence. 

 The area was dug out and 30 to 40 pounds of honey comb were removed. Afterwards, he completely packed the hole with dirt to make sure that bees would never come back to this spot, ever again. The owner was really impressed with “D.J.’s” work. No bees escaped, no one was stung and he said that he had never seen any of the other companies’ technicians come close to doing anything like this before.

 Have a problem with bees? Call (949) 631-7348 or click here for our online order form and we’ll be glad to take care of it for you.

 Take a look at these unbelievable photos of “D.J.” in action!

Bee hives underneath the tree trunk

Pulled out a large honeycomb

More honeycombs.

Even more honeycombs.

December Newsletter

Merry Christmas!

    Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  Oh, when I think about all of the wonderful memories of when I was a kid and growing up, I can’t help but smile.

     My parents always went out of their way to celebrate Christmas.  My dad was “thrifty” and usually waited till Christmas Eve to buy our tree.  By that time, most of the Christmas trees were sold out and I still remember him buying one of the leftovers for a buck or so. He’d bring home the tree and then all the family would get together and decorate it. I was the designated “electrician” and always put up the lights.

     Mom would save a little bit of money all year long so that they could get us nice gifts. Of course, I’d always sneak around behind the Christmas Tree, pick up my gift, shake it and try to figure out what was inside. Or, I’d hold my gift up near a bright light so that I could try and read through the gift wrapping!

     We were a musical family.  Dad would play his guitar, my sisters took turns playing the piano and I played the trombone as we sang our favorite Christmas songs.  Mom always baked some special treats for us - Those really were great times!

     I’m still a kid at heart and love Christmas.  I always put up a fresh pine tree and hang the lights on it. My wife takes care of the decorations.  Of course, I always put up Christmas lights on the outside of our house, too.

    Let’s all enjoy this special season and spend some quality time with our families and friends.  But, let’s not forget about those who are less fortunate because a little thoughtfulness and a little generosity can go a long, long way!

     We’ve got some good stuff for you this month, so let’s get to work.

 The Final Field Test
Report Is Issued

   In last month’s newsletter, you saw our article about the University of Riverside lab study that was commissioned by the Structural Pest Control Board. In that report, they gave us the results of a study on the “Effectiveness of localized drywood termite treatments in a lab setting”. In this month’s newsletter, we are going to discuss the results of the other half of the Pest Control Board’s study conducted by Dr. Vernard Lewis of the University of Berkeley on;

“Field evaluations of localized treatments for control of drywood termite infestations in California”.

    Dr. Lewis wanted to do a robust test of six different termite treatment products that included a variety of “real world” conditions. He and his staff visited 17 cities, as far north as Sonoma and as far south as La Jolla. They inspected 164 separate infestations and they found 48 homes in 14 different cities that were acceptable for testing.

    “Acoustic emission detection devices” are machines that can hear termites as they move around inside of wood members and they were used to locate areas of infestation in these homes. Once termites were located, 1/8 inch holes, spaced 3 to 5 inches apart, were drilled in a diamond shaped pattern down the entire length of the boards. Then, the termite products were randomly injected into these holes as per manufacturer’s instructions. Two untreated checks were also included in the study - one with water only and one with no treatment.

    Three months later, post treatment evaluations were performed with the same acoustic emission devices. The post treatment results were then compared with pre-treatment readings.

    When discussing the results of his study, Dr. Lewis stated that the efficacy of products when compared to untreated checks was unremarkable after the 3 month check. With the exception of one borate product, most products demonstrated at least a 90% reduction in acoustic emission readings. However, the reduction in readings was not significantly different when compared to the water only treatments or the untreated boards.

    Previous published results from other researchers have shown similar results - Reductions in termite activity, but not total elimination.

    Dr. Lewis continues on by stating that the challenges presented for local treatments in eliminating infestations are daunting. Local treatments are so difficult to do because:

• Wood members contain so many expansive termite gallery systems that are difficult to locate.
• A higher percentage of wood in homes is inaccessible for inspection or treatment.
• Even if you kill almost all of the termites, as few as ten termites can re-establish the same infestation.
• Regular follow up inspections and treatments are needed - You’re not going to solve the problem with just one treatment.

    When you combine the results from the UC Riverside lab test and the UC Berkeley field test, they suggest that it’s important for consumers to be aware of the limitations and what can be expected when doing localized drywood termite treatments. They work best when wood members are exposed for inspection and treatment. They are less effective when infestations are concealed or inaccessible. So, bear in mind that in order to do an effective local treatment, your home may have to have ceilings and/or walls opened up in order to make those infested areas accessible for inspection and treatment.

    When doing a localized treatment, the study suggest that it is best to use a slow acting product that has the ability to be transferred from one termite to another. Termidor and Timbor dust, which we use at Termite Terry Pest Control, meet that criterion. Liquid borates, orange oil and other products do not.

    Fumigations are by far and away the best way to totally eliminate drywood termites in structures. But, there are some places where fumigation is not an option and local treatments are the last resort.    

    If you need to have a local treatment performed, the best way to start is by having a thorough inspection performed so that you’ll know if it will work for you. Call our office at (949) 631-7348  or click on order form and we’ll schedule an inspection at your convenience.  

Rave Reviews!

• The inventory of homes for sale has declined. The high point was in January 08 when we had a 16.6 month inventory of homes. It is down to 4.2 months of inventory.
• The existing number of properties owned by lenders has dropped from a high of 141,515 in September 08 down to the current level of 88,009.
• Since the peak of 28,795 trustee sales in July 08, the number has dropped to a current level of 17,239.

Before You Get Excited, Look At These Numbers:

• The number of California delinquencies has risen from 28,795 in July 08 to 52,700 currently! That’s almost double and the numbers are climbing!!
• 25% of Prime loans, 45% of Alt A loans, 50% of Sub prime loans and 73% of Option ARM loans are underwater. That’s scary!
• 47% of homeowners in Orange County owe more than their home is worth. Over 80% of Riverside County homeowners are upside down! San Bernardino County is even worse!

    When you consider these facts, what incentives do homeowners have to keep making payments? What have they got to lose if they hand the keys back to the bank and walk away?? 

When are the lenders going to start foreclosing on these properties?

    It appears that the lenders have backed off on foreclosures for now, but you know it can’t keep going on like this for long! Sooner or later they are going to have to start taking back their properties and when they do, there will be a tremendous glut of bank owned properties on the market and home prices will continue to fall.

This Is A Great Time To Invest In Real Estate!

• The current average effective mortgage rate is approx. 5%. Rates haven’t been that low in many decades.
• The California median price of existing detached homes is only $274,740. Compare that with a peak of $505,000 in mid 2007.
• The California affordability rate is now at 54%. Compare that with only 16% in 2005!
• The typical mortgage payment is now about $1,090 compared to $1,940 in February 2008. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about 49.9% lower than it was in the spring of 1987.

    Looking to flip homes and make a quick buck? That’s pretty risky with all the “shadow” inventory bound to come on the market. But, if you’ll do the math, this is a great opportunity to buy homes, fix them up and turn them into rentals. Fire up your investment calculator and you’ll see that you can actually earn an income right from the start! That means that if the value of your investment goes up or down, you’ll still be happy. And, if the home’s value goes up, you’ll even be happier!

The Story Of St. Nicholas

    The true story of Santa Claus begins with St. Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. Back then, the area was Greek but is now on the southern coast of Turkey. He was brought up by wealthy parents as a devout Christian. Unfortunately, they died while Nicholas was still young.

    In the bible, Jesus Christ said, “Sell what you have and give the money to the poor.” Taking those words seriously, Nicholas took his entire inheritance and gave it to the needy, the sick and those that were suffering. His life was dedicated to serving God and he became the Bishop of Myra at a young age. Throughout the area, Bishop Nicholas became known for his generosity, his love for children and his concerns for sailors and ships.

    There are a number of stories about St. Nicholas’ great deeds. One story I like is of the poor man with three daughters. Back in those days, a young women’s father had to offer prospective husbands a dowry (something of value). With a larger dowry, the young ladies had a better chance of finding a good man. Without a good dowry, they may never get married. This poor man’s daughters had no dowries and were probably going to be sold as slaves. But, on three different occasions, a bag of gold mysteriously appeared in their home for their dowries. They say that bags of gold were tossed in through open windows and that they landed in shoes or stockings that were left near the fireplace to dry. That’s where the custom of children leaving shoes or stockings out for Santa to place gifts in came from. 

St. Nicholas passed away on December 6, 343AD. Today, thousands from all around the world celebrate the 6^th of December as St. Nicholas’ Feast Day.

Your House May Not Fall Down Tomorrow, But . . .

    Over the years, I’ve inspected a lot of homes that had major termite infestations and then recommended that the homeowners take care of their problem right away.  About that time, many homeowners will ask me, “If I don’t get rid of these termites right now, my house isn’t going to fall down tomorrow, is it?”  And, I’ve got to be honest and say, “No, your house may not fall down tomorrow, but don’t be surprised when you see how much more it will cost you if you wait.” That is an understatement!

    Two years ago, I gave a homeowner in Newport Beach an estimate of 2,400.00 to repair the termite damaged wood on his home. But, instead of taking my advice and fixing it then, he waited two years and called me back. I always double check everything before I start and in just a few minutes, I realized that the termite damage was much worse than I had originally estimated. Termites eat wood 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and they had done so much more damage in just two years that his repair estimate went from 2,400.00 to over 9,400.00! And, if I had it to do over again, I should have charged him even more because it took us two days longer than I estimated.

    We’ve had other homes where homeowners procrastinated, called us a year or two later and their homes were so much more badly damaged that we could no longer fix them and we had to refer them to a general contractor.

    The message here is that if you or someone else you know has a termite problem - Don’t put it off because chances are, things are only going to get worse and much more expensive, later. Need help with termite treatments or wood repairs? Don’t wait, call our office NOW at (949) 631-7348 or click on order form and we’ll schedule an appointment at your convenience.

Termite Terry’s Hotel Special!

Termite Terry is always looking for ways to provide the absolute best service to his clients and is proud to announce his New Hotel Special! For anyone that would like to have their home fumigated before December 31^st, 2009, Termite Terry will provide them with a FREE two night stay at the Costa Mesa Ramada Inn & Suites! With this irresistible offer, coupled with his Money Back Guarantee - It makes Termite Terry Pest Control the obvious, no-brainer, choice for anyone looking to have their termite problems solved!  Nobody even comes close to Termite Terry’s guarantees and nobody, but nobody has anything like this special Free two night hotel special! Click on Hotel Special! to see and download yourself a copy of the unbelievable details so that you can take advantage of this unbelievable offer.

November Newsletter

Happy Thanksgiving!

    Thanksgiving is a very special time when we really should take time to really appreciate all the things that we have. Oh, I know that we’re going through tough economic times in our country But, if you’ll put things in perspective, our problems are nothing compared to what others have had to face in their lifetimes.

    I’ll never forget when my wife and I were in Europe, back in 1997 and we visited a war museum in Stuttgart, Germany. My wife is Dutch, so while we were there, we took special interest in looking at photos of Holland’s cities after the Germans had bombed them during World War Two. In those photos, you could see that there was almost nothing left standing! Every building was blown to pieces! We were especially moved when we saw pictures of women with children walking through all of that rubble!

    Now, I want for you to imagine how those women and children felt at that time. They’ve got no place to live, no water, no electricity, no phones and little if any food to eat. Worse yet, they are surrounded by the German Army and they don’t know if they will even be allowed to live. Now folks, that is the true definition of STRESS!

    I don’t know of any of you that are going through anything kind of suffering like that at this time. So, when you sit down at your Thanksgiving meal, you eat too much and then start complaining about all the weight you’re gaining, I’m asking for you to pause and remember those that aren’t nearly as fortunate as you. Then, why don’t you start “pretending” that you’re thankful!

The Final Lab Report Is Issued.

The Structural Pest Control Board commissioned the University of Riverside to conduct a lab study on the “Effectiveness of localized drywood termite treatments in a lab setting” and that final report was delivered to the board this past month.

    If you’ll remember, the article in our May 2009 newsletter discussed Dr. Rust’s preliminary results of treatments he did on wood samples that were exposed to drywood termites. His final, 31 page report is full of charts and graphs from the many tests that he performed. In addition to wood samples, he also conducted tests on termite infested boards that were collected from homes in California. Here is a brief summary of his studies:

• Deposits of borate dust, Termidor liquid and Optigard foam were lethal to drywood termites on both continuous and brief exposures.
• Deposits of borate dust, Termidor liquid and Optigard foam were non-repellant and lethal doses were readily transferred from one termite to another.
• Fresh deposits of orange oil were extremely toxic to drywood termites but they lost their effectiveness in 24-48 hours.
• Vapors of orange oil and Termidor were extremely toxic to drywood termites. Orange oil lost it’s vapor toxicity within 24 hours.
• Borate liquids require prolonged exposure to provide a kill. Non-lethal deposits did deter feeding.
• Borate liquids and orange oil primarily kill on contact. They are not readily available to workers and are not easily transferred.
• Non-lethal deposits of orange oil deterred feeding.
• Borate dust, Termidor liquid and Optigard foam consistently provided best results in lab test.

    At Termite Terry Pest Control, we almost always use Termidor for our drywood termite local treatments. One of the things that we love most about this product is its transfer effect. Just like Dr. Rust proved, if one termite is exposed to this product and it goes back to the nest, other termites will become infected and die, also. Dr. Rust also stated that Termidor injected into wood members may remain effective for up to two years!

    We also like to use borate dust in attics and subareas as a preventative measure. Dr. Rust’s study proves that this product is easily picked up by drywood termites and that it can be very effective.

    During a live presentation on October 8^th, Dr. Rust stated that there is no substitute for whole house fumigations. He said that if fumigations are performed correctly, they are the most effective way to completely eradicate drywood termites. But, localized drywood termites still have their place in certain situations, such as apartments or condos where fumigation is not practical or possible to do. The other points that he really emphasized are that if you are going to have a localized treatment performed, careful inspection and detection of termite infestations are very critical. Also, any localized treatment must be followed up with regular inspections and treatments as needed.

    Have a problem with drywood termites? Call our office at (949) 631-7348 and we’ll schedule an inspection of your home or business. And, don’t forget that our termite inspections are always FREE for qualified owners.

 Rave Review!

    We want to let you know how appreciative we are for resolving all the “bugging” we were having to deal with in & around our home here in Costa Mesa.  Within this past year you’ve helped us to overcome invasions from termites, ants, spiders and silver fish critters.  We can sleep with piece of mind knowing that these pesky invaders will stay away being that we’re taking part in your Green Pest Control Service Plan.

     Initially the first signs of trouble were some small holes in our hardwood floors which triggered my first phone call for your advertised no cost termite inspection.  After a pleasantly thorough & straightforward examination, performed by Joe Johnston, my detailed report indicated that fumigation would be our best option.  Gratefully the corresponding written estimate was very fair and treatment services were preformed and termite problem rectified without any inconvenience.  Joe definitely helped to create a very comfortable feeling between customer and pest control service provider.

     Shortly thereafter the ants tried to move-in with us but “D.J.” Salamin came to our rescue and put a stop to it.  Prior to D.J.’s arrival we couldn’t determine where the ants were entering from and I began to think our house was built on an anthill.  D.J. wasted no time in tracing the problem to specific areas in & around our home where they had entry thru small cracks around cabinets and windows.  Since then D.J. has been our “go to guy” for bi-monthly exterior treatments and not only are the ants staying away, we’ve also been spider and silver fish free!

     Our confidence level in the quality services you provide have inspired us to recommend Termite Terry Pest Control to any of our friends and neighbors that might need some help with bug issues as well.  Thankfully for them, my neighbor 2 doors down mentioned that they were in dire need of a termite solution.  After I suggested “call Terry” less than a week later I noticed a fumigation tent surrounding their home with a Termite Terry Pest Control banner hanging from it.  I’ll continue to happily spread the word.

Customers for life!
Eric Garcia & family, Costa Mesa.

Smelly Rat Sets Off Car Alarm!

    An owner of a late model BMW, in Huntington Beach, called our office and complained about a foul odor coming from under his car’s hood. Termite Terry’s pest control technician, David Salamin, went out to the owner’s home and looked at the car. He popped open the hood and noticed that there were a lot of flies around the engine compartment. David knows that flies are always a good indicator to look for when you’re trying to find a dead rodent. After doing a search with his flashlight, he found the rodent laying under the engine, but he couldn’t reach it. So, he borrowed the car’s jack so he could raise up the car and crawl under it. The rat was under the engine and sitting on the car’s skid plate. David unbolted the skid plate and was able to reach in and remove the dead rat. Apparently, the rat had chewed it’s way through some of the car’s alarm wires. The owner now understood why the car’s alarm kept going off during the previous night. Unfortunately for the rat, the alarm wires were “live” and the rat was probably shocked to death when it bit through them.

    Termite Terry always likes to remind homeowners that rat problems should never be ignored. Besides being carriers of numerous diseases and all of the damage that they do to homes, they are also known to be a major cause of house fires because they chew through electrical wiring. That causes the home’s wiring to short out and then starts house fires. If you have a problem with mice or rats, you need to act now and call Termite Terry Pest Control at (949) 631-7348.

 “Zombie” Ants Wander Around Texas Until Their Heads Fall Off!   

The State of Texas has been battling a big problem with imported red fire ants and spends over 1.2 billion dollars a year trying to control them. These are medium sized ants and they build mounds out of soft dirt. The mounds are usually 18 inches in diameter or less. Most other species of ants run and hide when they are disturbed. What makes imported red fire ants such a big problem is that when they are disturbed, they come out in droves and they sting aggressively.  Their sting on a person’s skin looks like a large pimple with a white spot in the middle.

    Getting rid of all of these imported red fire ants is next to impossible with our current products and techniques. That’s why the Texas AgriLife Extension, in Overton Texas, went to work on developing a new solution. On April 29, Dr. Scott Ludwig released fire ants that are infected with a new type of “phorid fly“. That is a minuscule parasite that only preys on red imported fire ants.

    “The infected ants will soon exhibit some very bizarre behavior. First, they become zombies, their movements under the control of the parasite. Then, their heads fall off and the parasite emerges,” said Dr. Ludwig. “Zombified” ants will wander about 55 yards away from the mound before they die. “The parasite does this so it can complete development without being detected and attacked by the fire ant colony,” says Dr. Ludwig.

    These phorid flies only attack red imported fire ants. They inject their eggs into the ants. Dr. Ludwig says, “Earlier data suggest they (phorid flies) can spread 25 miles a year through wind-assisted dispersion.” Researchers are hoping that the new parasite will reduce the foraging of fire ants. That will also allow their native ants to regain some footing.

Columbo Shows Audience How To Do Their Own Inspections

Termite Terry as "Columbo"

Termite Terry hates boring presentations. So, when he was invited to do a presentation for the group at “Le Tip of West Orange County”, he decided to go as the character, “Lieutenant Columbo”, from the old television series. During the presentation, he showed the members samples of wood that had been damaged by termites, dryrot and explained what they should look for when they inspect their own homes.

    Le Tip is a group of networking professionals that share business leads with one another to promote their business. Termite Terry highly recommends this group to anyone that would like to grow their own business. For more info go to www.letipwoc.com .

The Story Of Thanksgiving

    On August 1, 1620, the Mayflower set sail. 102 passengers were on board, including 40 pilgrims led by William Bradford. The journey to the new world was long and arduous. When they landed in November, they found a cold and barren wilderness. There was no one there to greet them, no shelter of any kind and the sacrifices they made for freedom were just beginning. During that first winter, half the Pilgrims died, including Bradford’s own wife. They died of either starvation, sickness or exposure.

    When spring arrived, the Indians taught the settlers how to plant corn, fish for cod and skin beavers for coats. Their lives improved but they didn’t enjoy prosperity.

    In the original contract that the Pilgrims had entered into, it called for everything that they produced should go into a common store and each one in the community would own one share. All the land that was cleared and all the homes they built were part of the community, also. They were “collectivist”. Bradford, who was now the Governor, realized that this form of “collectivism” was both costly and destructive to the Pilgrims. No one had any incentive to work any harder than anyone else.

    Bradford took bold action and then assigned a plot of land to each family to work and manage so that they could sell and market their own crops and products.

    Bradford’s plan worked. He wrote, “This had very good success, for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been.” The Pilgrims found that they had more food than they could eat, set up trading post and started exchanging goods with the Indians. With the Pilgrims enjoying their large harvest, success and prosperity, they held their first true Thanksgiving celebration in the year of 1623.

Ladies At Beauty Salon Are Attacked By A Swarm Of Bees!

    It was just another typical, beautiful, sunny day in Fountain Valley when these ladies decided to go to their local beauty salon to have their hair and nails done. Little did they know that they were about to be attacked by a swarm of bees.

    Can you imagine how these ladies must have felt when they were sitting in the chairs, all relaxed, only to have bees start swarming around their heads and landing on their bodies? Can you imagine the screams these ladies must have let out as they were being stung? Oh my! Fortunately, the owner of the salon called Termite Terry Pest Control for help. David Salamin, Termite Terry’s pest control technician, went to the salon and discovered that there was a huge bee hive, located above the ceiling tiles, over the restroom. The hive measured about 2 feet tall, 18 inches wide and about 11 inches thick.

    David got to the salon at 7am, that morning, because he knew that the bees would all still be asleep, especially because the lights in the salon were off and that it would be fairly dark in there.

    One of the biggest concerns was to try and contain the bees. If the bees all took off and started flying around the salon, it might take days to get rid of them all. That’s why David decided to wrap the beehive with a plastic sheet before he started treating. That worked out great. David was able to remove all of the bees and none of them escaped. Best of all, the beauty salon was able to open at their regularly scheduled time of 9am!

    If you have a problem with bees, it’s really important that you call someone who has experience and knows how to handle your problem, the right way. Need help with bees or other pest problems? Call our office at (949) 631-7348 and we’ll be glad to take care of it for you!

Columbo Shows Audience How To Do Their Own Inspections

Termite Terry as "Columbo"

Rat Sets Off The Alarm And Stinks Up A BMW!

    An owner of a late model BMW, in Huntington Beach, called our office and complained about a foul odor coming from under his car’s hood. Termite Terry’s pest control technician, David Salamin, went out to the owner’s home and looked at the car. He popped open the hood and noticed that there were a lot of flies around the engine compartment. David knows that flies are always a good indicator to look for when you’re trying to find a dead rodent. After doing a search with his flashlight, he found the rodent laying under the engine, but he couldn’t reach it. So, he borrowed the car’s jack so he could raise up the car and crawl under it. The rat was under the engine and sitting on the car’s skid plate. David unbolted the skid plate and was able to reach in and remove the dead rat. Apparently, the rat had chewed its way through some of the car’s alarm wires. The owner now understood why the car’s alarm kept going off during the previous night. Unfortunately for the rat, the alarm wires were “live” and the rat was probably shocked to death when it bit through the electric wires. The rat was pretty big, as you can see in the photo below.

Rat Service by DJ Salamin at "Termite" Terry Pest Control, Inc.

    Termite Terry always likes to remind homeowners that rat problems should never be ignored. Besides being carriers of numerous diseases and all of the damage that they do to homes, they are also known to be a major cause of house fires because they chew through electrical wiring. That causes the home’s wiring to short out and then starts house fires. If you have a problem with mice or rats, you need to act now and call Termite Terry Pest Control at (949) 631-7348 or click here for our online order form.