Can I treat termites myself?
DIY termite control in Gresham usually ends with a bigger bill later. Spot sprays and stakes do not reach the colony. Professional baits and non-repellent termiticides do. If you want to do something today, pull wood and mulch away from your Gresham foundation while you book the inspection.
How do I know if I have termites or flying ants?
The quick test for Gresham homeowners is the wing length. Equal wings mean termites; a longer front pair means ants. Termite antennae are also straight rather than bent. Either way, swarmers emerging inside a Gresham house deserve an inspection to find the source.
How do I choose a termite company?
Look for a state license, insurance, and a written proposal from any Gresham provider that names the species, product, and warranty. Get two quotes from Gresham providers and compare what each includes. Ask how the Gresham technician plans to handle slabs, decks, and crawl spaces.
Are mud tubes always a sign of active termites?
Not always, but they always deserve attention. Break open a section of the tube on your Gresham foundation and check back in a day or two. A repaired tube or live workers means the colony is active. A Gresham inspector can confirm and trace where it leads.
Is termite treatment safe for kids and pets?
When applied according to the label, termite treatments around Gresham, Oregon homes are designed to stay in the soil and wood where termites travel. Bait stations are locked and buried. Ask your Gresham provider for the product label and safety data sheet, and follow any re-entry times.
What is a termite renewal contract?
The same question comes up in Gresham: homeowners should expect a renewal contract to be part of the pitch: 83% of locations in Pest Control Technology (PCT) magazine's 2025 termite market report (about 145 professionals, 2024 operations) offered annual renewals, which tells you what companies sell, not how many homes are covered. If you are in Gresham, use this as a starting point for questions rather than a prediction for your home.
How often does a termite treatment need a callback?
Rarely, according to the professionals themselves. Gresham is not an outlier on this point: for a homeowner, a 1.8% average callback rate, as professionals reported in Pest Control Technology (PCT) magazine's 2025 termite market report (about 145 respondents, 2024 operations), suggests return visits after termite treatment are uncommon, but the figure is self-reported and no provider can promise it. For a property in Gresham, the next step is an inspection that identifies the source, not a guess based on national averages.