Termite issues in Tucson homes: tips for selling and treatment
Of the species of termites in Arizona, which causes the most termite damage in Tucson?
There are several species of termites in Arizona, but only two types should concern Tucson homeowners. They are the desert subterranean termite and the western drywood termite. In this article we’ll describe both species, how to identify them, their behavior, termite treatment, and how termites can impact your home sale.
The desert subterranean termite
Desert subterranean termites are the most prevalent and damaging kind of termite in Arizona and are native to Mexico and the southwest United States. They eat cellulose (dead wood, dead cacti, fence posts) and can destroy a house in 3 to 5 years if left untreated. They live underground and are often identified by their mud tube tunnels above ground. They use these tunnels for protection when they access the wood and drywall in your house that is above ground. The tunnels and termite swarms are often a first indicator that these termites are present and that your house most likely has termite damage.
There are three castes of desert subterranean termites:
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Swarmers are pale brownish-yellow and about ½ inch long. Their wings are translucent, and the front wings are larger than the rear wings. Desert subterranean termites usually swarm at dusk or early night from July to September after rainfall. Sometimes they swarm in hidden areas, so they may not be seen. Termites mate when swarming, and it is the only time they exit from tunnels and underground.
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Worker desert subterranean termites look a lot like off-white ants and are wingless. Their function is foraging for food, taking care of the young, and the upkeep and building of the nest.
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Soldiers are larger than workers and have visible mouthparts. They protect the colony.
The western drywood termite
Western drywood termites behave differently than desert subterranean termites. They don’t live underground or make mud tunnels. They live in wood, burrowing into windowsills, rafters, doorframes, and other wood components of a house.
These termites also differ in appearance from desert subterranean termites. Swarmers are about ½ inch long, with very dark grey wings and dark brown bodies. They swarm in the dark in late spring to summer. Their workers have big, brown heads and mouthparts that look like teeth. This type of termite has no worker caste.
The signs of termite damage and infestation of these type of termites are swarms, the appearance of shed wings after swarming, blistered wood, and small piles of fecal pellets below infested wood.
What attracts termites to Tucson houses?
Most termites in the United States are attracted to moisture, so moisture control helps with some species of termites. But western drywood termites and desert subterranean termites don’t need much moisture. They’re just attracted to dead wood. The best preventative for these species of termites consists of professional treatment that creates a barrier around your house that is treated with insecticides, as well as termite monitoring stations. It’s also advised to keep wood piles and trash away from structures.
Can you sell a house with termite damage?
Termite damage, whether recent or from the distant past, can affect the price of your house. If the damage is only on the surface of the wood, and if the termites have been eradicated, you may not have much of a problem. However, keep in mind when selling a house with a termite history that the damage can be used by potential buyers as a negotiating point. More extensive damage that hasn’t been repaired, or an active termite infestation, can be quite detrimental to a house sale. If you have an active termite infestation or a lot of termite damage, you can sell the house “as is,” or treat the infestation and repair the damage before putting the house on the market. Either way, it’s mandatory to include any past or present termite damage in a statement of disclosure when selling the house. Not doing so could cause legal problems later.
If the termite damage is extensive, the house may not meet the Minimum Property Requirements, which are requirements set up by the FHA and VA for mortgage loans, focusing on the safety of the structure. If the requirements aren’t met, the loan most likely won’t be approved.
How much is the cost of termite treatment in Tucson?
According to Fixr.com, “Treating termites in Tucson ranges from $310 to $1235 for a 2,500 sq. ft house…” When it comes to termite treatment for a large infestation, prices can run up to $6,500 for full house tenting and a heat and barrier treatment for the same size house.
After the termite treatment, repairs will have to be made, and the costs are dependent on where the damage is located and the extent of the destruction.
A straightforward and hassle-free way to sell a house with termite damage or infestation
If you want to sell a house that has damage from termites or an existing infestation, We Buy Ugly Houses® is a great solution. You can sell your house “as is” to us and avoid termite treatments and repairs. We buy houses in all sorts of conditions, even some houses with termite damage, foundation cracks, and fire damage.
Just reach out to us for a free, no-obligation consultation at your house. A Tucson property specialist will tour your property, answer your questions, and can sometimes provide a fast offer on the spot. If you accept the offer, the deal can sometimes close in as little as 3 weeks, or later if you need more time.
We Buy Ugly Houses is a well-known direct house buyer with decades of experience buying houses, a 95%* customer satisfaction rating nationwide, and excellent reviews. Contact us to learn more!
