Termite Inspection and Treatment, Led by an Associate Certified Entomologist
Red Hawk Pest Control is led by owner Joshua Sheppard, an Associate Certified Entomologist credentialed by the Entomological Society of America. Termites work out of sight, so the first step is a free estimate. We check your property inside and out, show you what we find, and recommend a treatment and protection plan built around your home. Red Hawk serves Habersham, White, Hall, Rabun, and Stephens counties.
What Your Neighbors Are Saying
"Red Hawk Pest Control is the best! We live in Cornelia and were having a terrible time with ants. Josh came out, identified the problem immediately, and we haven't seen a bug since. Highly professional and local!"​
— Michael S.
"I cannot recommend Josh enough. He is honest, fair, and very thorough. It's hard to find reliable service in the Cornelia/Clarkesville area, but Red Hawk is definitely the gold standard. We use them for our home and our business."
— David L.
"Prompt, professional, and very knowledgeable. It is great to have a local company that truly cares about the community. If you are in Cornelia or anywhere in Habersham, call Red Hawk. You won't be disappointed!"
— Karen T.
★ 5.0 Stars on Google · 20+ Reviews
Why are termites such a serious problem in North Georgia?
North Georgia sits in the highest-risk termite zone in the country, and subterranean termites do their damage before most homeowners ever see them. By the time you notice a problem, the colony has usually been feeding for a while. That is why a termite problem is best handled as a when, not an if, and why an inspection is worth doing before you have a reason to worry.
$5 Billion a Year
A cost insurance will not cover
Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage across the United States each year, and most homeowners insurance policies do not cover it.
National Pest Management Association
Zone 1
The highest-risk zone
Georgia sits in Zone 1 of the federal Termite Infestation Probability map, the highest-risk category in the country. Warm weather, steady rainfall, and our soil make North Georgia ideal for subterranean termites.
U.S. Forest Service Termite Infestation Probability zones
24 Hours a Day
They never stop
Subterranean termites feed 24 hours a day and stay hidden underground and inside walls. Swarms in North Georgia run March through May, and a swarm is often the first visible sign of a colony that is already established.
National Pest Management Association
North Georgia sits in the highest-risk termite zone in the country, and subterranean termites do their damage before most homeowners ever see them. By the time you notice a problem, the colony has usually been feeding for a while. That is why a termite problem is best handled as a when, not an if, and why an inspection is worth doing before you have a reason to worry.
How Red Hawk Handles a Termite Problem, Step by Step
1
Inspection
Red Hawk starts by inspecting your whole property at no charge, inside and out. We check the foundation, crawl space, eaves, and the wood around your home. We look for swarmers, mud tubes, damaged or hollow-sounding wood, and the subtler signs like small exit holes in drywall or paint that bubbles or peels. We check for active termites and for evidence of past activity.
2
Recommendation
When the inspection is done, we sit down with you and explain what we found in plain English. If you have termites, we show you where they are. Then we recommend a treatment and a long-term protection plan that fits your property. Every home is different, so the plan is built around yours.
3
Treatment
Red Hawk uses professional-grade products, not retail products. For most homes that means a liquid treatment with Termidor HE, the Trelona Advanced Termite Bait System, or a combination of the two, depending on your property and the situation. We explain which approach we recommend and why before any work begins.all exit holes in drywall or paint that bubbles or peels. We check for active termites and for evidence of past activity.
4
Protection
After treatment, Red Hawk keeps your home protected with a 10-year warranty and annual inspections. The next section explains how the warranty works.
What termite warranty does Red Hawk offer?
After a full termite treatment, Red Hawk provides a renewable 10-year warranty, renewed annually. The 10-year term follows BASF's current industry recommendation for Termidor, the product line Red Hawk uses for termite work.
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If termites return during the coverage period, retreatment is included at no additional cost, and the warranty typically covers repair of new termite damage as well. The warranty also transfers to the new owner if you sell your home. A warranty is only as good as the company behind it, so Red Hawk reviews the full terms with you before any treatment begins.
Is it a termite or a flying ant?
In spring, a lot of people call Red Hawk about winged insects in or around the house, wanting to know if they are looking at termites. It is a fair question, because termite swarmers and flying ants look similar at a glance. Three things tell them apart. Termites have straight, bead-like antennae, while flying ants have bent antennae. Termites have a straight, even waist, while flying ants have a narrow, pinched waist. Termites have four wings of equal length, while a flying ant's front wings are larger than its back wings. If you are not sure, save a few of the insects in a bag and we will identify them for you.
How can I make my home less attractive to termites?
Treatment is what stops an active problem, but a few habits make your home a harder target. Here is what we tell our customers.
None of this replaces a treatment if you already have termites, but it lowers the pressure on your home year-round.
✓
Remove dead or decaying trees and stumps from your property.
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Keep moisture away from the foundation. Redirect downspouts, sprinklers, air conditioner condensation, and any poor drainage away from the house.
✓
Check the roof and crawl space for moisture damage and repair it.
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Keep plants at least 12 inches off the foundation.
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Choose pine straw or gravel over wood mulch near the house.
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Seal gaps and cracks in the foundation and around pipes.
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Keep firewood, lumber, and cardboard away from the foundation, and store firewood at least 20 feet from the house.
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Inspect wooden fences and decks, and treat or paint them.
Why a termite problem is worth an Associate Certified Entomologist
A termite diagnosis is only as good as the company making it. Red Hawk Pest Control is owned and led by Joshua Sheppard, an Associate Certified Entomologist, a credential issued by the Entomological Society of America. Joshua is the only Associate Certified Entomologist working in pest control in Habersham County, and there are fewer than 1,000 nationwide. Joshua has worked in pest control since 2008 and has owned Red Hawk since 2012, and he is approved by the State of Georgia to teach continuing education to licensed pest control professionals. Termite work is exactly where that training shows. Knowing how a colony behaves, where it enters, and how to read the signs is the difference between treating the actual problem and treating a symptom. That training sets the standard behind every inspection Red Hawk performs and every treatment plan it designs.
Associate Certified Entomologist · Entomological Society of America
Best of Habersham 2025 & 2026 · The Northeast Georgian
In Pest Control Since 2008
Approved by the State of Georgia to Teach Continuing Education
Georgia Pest Control Association
Habersham County Chamber of Commerce
Termite questions homeowners ask Red Hawk
When do termites swarm in North Georgia?
Subterranean termites in North Georgia swarm in spring, generally March through May. A swarm is often the first sign that a colony nearby is mature and established, so it is worth an inspection if you see one.
Is the termite estimate really free?
Yes. Red Hawk's termite estimates are free, with no charge and no obligation. Red Hawk checks your property inside and out, and if we find termites we show you where and explain your options. The one exception is a formal WDO inspection for a real-estate closing, which is a separate paid service.
How long does termite treatment last?
After a full termite treatment, Red Hawk provides a renewable 10-year warranty, renewed annually. The 10-year term follows BASF's current industry recommendation for Termidor, the product line Red Hawk uses. If termites return during the coverage period, retreatment is included at no cost, and the warranty typically covers repair of new damage as well; it also transfers to a new owner if you sell.
What products do you use for termites?
Red Hawk uses professional-grade products: Termidor HE for liquid treatments and the Trelona Advanced Termite Bait System for bait stations. Which one we recommend depends on your property and the situation, and we explain our reasoning before any work starts.
Is termite treatment safe around my family and pets?
The products Red Hawk uses are EPA-registered and applied by a licensed professional according to the label. We will walk you through what to expect for your specific treatment, including anything you need to do before or after.
Will my homeowners insurance cover termite damage?
Usually not. Most homeowners insurance policies treat termite damage as preventable and do not cover it, which is why ongoing protection and annual inspections matter. The National Pest Management Association notes that termite damage is typically not covered by insurance.
Associate Certified Entomologist
Best of Habersham 2025 & 2026 - The NE Georgian
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
Locally Owned & Operated