Celebrating 20 Years

     We are so proud to announce that Black Knight Termite & Pest Control, Inc. celebrated our very own 20th anniversary last month! We have come a long ways since we first started, particularly growing our small family owned business to a slightly bigger family owned business! 

     Black Knight originally started 20 years ago with only 2 trucks and 2 employees. Since then, we have been so blessed by our community making it possible to expand our family to having 15 trucks and 18 employees! *gasp* We have broadened our areas of expertise significantly as well. We now offer a wide variety of pest services in addition to termite and general pest control, such as gopher control, rodent control, bird control as well as thermal heat treatment!

     Earlier this year, we also acquired a new pest control route taking Black Knight to Redlands, Riverside and Menifee for accounts ranging from commercial to residential. We have seen our greatest improvement in the amount of active pest control routes that we are continuously adding to. Overall, in our 20 years of business, Black Knight has had the pleasure of serving the Riverside, San Diego as well as San Bernardino counties respectfully. 

     We are very proud of where we come from and are looking forward to thriving in the New Year. In light of our 20 year anniversary, all of our trucks are fashioning the new decal posted above. Thanks for all your love and support as we continue doing what we love. Wishing you all a prosperous year

-BK 

Termite Myths

Did someone say "termite season"? While this is a common misconception about the infamous wood-chomping insects that are notorious for costing homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs each year, we thought we would address some common myths that have been circulating around and causing a lot of confusion.

"Termite season" (unfortunately) is year round. Don't be fooled! While the Spring and Summer months have often been associated with 'termite season', this isn't always the case. Termites typically swarm on warmer days following a dry spell, which can occur regardless of season. It should also be known that there is more than one kind of termite, which can make identifying them a bit more tricky. If you are ever concerned if you may have termites, it doesn't hurt to call Black Knight or your local termite company to schedule a complimentary inspection to put your mind at ease. If your home is inspected and termites are identified, it's better to address the termites quickly before they spread and cause additional damage. We should reiterate that a termite inspection is a FREE service for homeowners, so it doesn't hurt to make it an annual routine for good housekeeping. 

For convenience sake, the most common termites within Southern California are typically Drywood termites, Subterranean termites and Dampwood termites. Dampwood termites are a little more rare given the arid, more desert-like conditions that Southern California offers, but there have been a few cases that Black Knight has encountered throughout our 20 years of business. 

Another myth that is often speculated is that fumigation (or tenting) is the only way to eradicate termites from your home. This isn't necessarily true given the many factors that determine what a termite technician would recommend for treatment. There are other termite eradication methods such as Heat Treatment or even Local Treatment. Your termite technician is trained to recommend the best option possible for you and your home, so it's important to discuss with them your options because chances are you have a couple to choose from.

Overall, California is among one of the nine states with the heaviest termite activity which means that having a reliable termite company on speed dial is important. (Or maybe just in your list of contacts.) 

Termites: Why You Should Know How to Look for an Infestation

There are few investments more necessary to the home than termite control. Temecula homeowners typically don’t think about this investment much, aside from a compulsory check for termites upon purchasing the home. Considering the damage that these wood-eating critters can cause to a home, though, it’s important to be aware of the telltale signs of a termite infestation before the problem escalates to a dangerous level. The following article will explain why it’s important to be able to spot an infestation, and a few tips to help you look for the signs.

Call Black Knight Termite & Pest Control at 951-694-8100 for all your home and business needs!

Why Termite Infestations are Best Spotted Early

From flea control to rodent control, Temecula homeowners are always better off discovering a pest problem early on. Termite infestations, however, should be particularly concerning. It is no exaggeration to say that termites are responsible for billions of dollars’ worth of destruction and damage to American property each year. Residential homes are particularly susceptible because of the propensity of woodwork in the structures. Termites don’t only eat wood, though, they also eat books, insulation, paper, shrubs, trees, and filtration systems and liners for swimming pools. 

When and How to Look for Termites in Your Home

When: Termite inspections are typically conducted when buying or selling a home, often as a condition of a mortgage or other agreement. This is, of course, a prudent course of action considering the size and weight of such a transaction. But homeowners shouldn’t only look for signs of termite infestations and seek professional help when buying or selling their home. It’s always a good idea to be aware of the telltale signs and be ready to call in the professionals who specialize in pest control. Temecula homeowners should be particularly vigilant in the spring months, between March and May, as this is when termites often appear in homes and start colonies to take advantage of the warmer weather. 

How: There are several telltale signs to keep your eye out for. If there is a material that looks like mud around the home, or wood that is left to only a thin layer on the surface with more “mud” around any breaking points, you have spotted a sign of the “mud tubes” that termites make from feces, saliva and soil. Subterranean termites also build tubes underground to get into homes from the bottom up, although exploratory and migratory tubes might not connect to the structure of a home and drop tubes might only return from the home to the soil. In addition to mud tubes and weakened or damaged wood, you might also spot seemingly innocuous things like tiny holes in the wood and buckling paint. Also remember that not all termites are burrowers; there are also swarming termites that are often referred to as “flying ants.” These swarmers often hover near light sources on warm days.

If you have any suspicions that termites might be in or around your home, just remember to call us right away. This is the best way to protect your home, your investment, and all the loved ones relying on a safe foundation and structure surrounding them is to ask for help from the professionals.