Bandit Exterminting is a family business, ran with pride and reliability. Owner Gary Garvin and his son, Sam, were both born and raised in Ventura County and have a strong connection to their community.
Gary Garvin started in the industry in 1986. He has worked from San Diego to San Luis Obispo and everywhere in between. Son, Sam, started helping his father as a small child around their home. Sam began learning the termite business during summer breaks in high school and has been working for over 11 years now with his father, starting the day after high school graduation.
Father and son have a strong sense of pride in their work, their home and their family, which flows into their business. They treat every job, every home as if it was their own, ensuring repair work meets their high standard of quality.
Wood Destroying Organisms, also known as WDO, covers anything that destroys wood. WDOs can severely damage the structural integrity of any building, causing thousands of dollars in damage. The most common wood-destroying organisms include drywood termites, subterranean termites, and fungus/dry rot. A Wood Destroying Pest and Organism Inspection Report contains findings as to the presence or absence of evidence of WDOs in accessible areas and contains recommendations for correcting any infestations or infections found, including, but limited to fumigation, repair and replacement and/or spot treatments. WDO Inspection Reports are governed by the California Structural Pest Control Act and Regulations.
Kalotermitidae are termites more commonly known as drywood termites, of which there are 419 species. They are usually found in dry, arid environments. Drywood termites are insects that live, feed, and basically infest dry wood and do not require contact or connection to soil. Drywood termites are social insects and swarmers, flying to new homes searching for wood to infest. These termites in colonies of up to 2,700 members, capable of causing significant and major structural damage within months of colonization, long before they are discovered. Light brown with narrow, oval-shaped bodies, drywood termites typically shed their veiny wings within minutes of landing, leaving them behind as evidence of an infestation. Drywood termites also create “kick-out” holes to push their excrement through the wood — leaving behind mounds that resemble sawdust or fine grains of sand.
Subterranean termites cause the most damage to structures, as their presence can go unnoticed for some time. They also cause damage in other materials or items that are cellulose-based (cotton, paper, books, etc.) They have also been known to damage PVC pipes and pool liners. These destructive insects hollow out frames and support beams deteriorating and destroying their structure. Damage may go unseen as termites only consume the wood inside leaving the outside surface and grain undamaged. As indicated by their name, subterranean termites live in large colonies underground. They construct tunnels , or mud tubes, made of mud and saliva in order to reach above-ground wood. When these termites eat wood, they fill it with soil to help maintain the humidity.
Dry rot is caused by a species of fungi that initially attacks wood. Despite its name, dry rot only affects damp timber and structural materials and occurs in poorly ventilated conditions in buildings, resulting in cracking and powdering of the wood. Dry rot is wood decay caused by fungi that digest parts of the wood which give the wood strength and stiffness. If it’s left unchecked, it can quickly move onto masonry and plaster, impacting the structural integrity of your home which can cause long-term problems.
Usually when you purchase a home, escrow or the lender will require a WDO Inpsection Report. As a buyer, or seller, you can also request a WDO Inpsection Report be performed by your choice of pest control company. You, as the seller or buyer, also have the right to a second opinion. We also suggest having an inspection every three to four years. Most homeowner, tend to forget after purchasing their home, to have this done regularly. Again, termites are swarmers, they move from location to location in search of food. If a neighbor has recently been fumigated, it may be wise to have an inpsection done on your home - before the damage becomes great and these natsy critters rob your home of is strength and intrigrity.
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