Termites are among the hardiest creatures on earth and the
most difficult to get rid of. They can, if left unchecked, destroy a home and
along with it, a family’s future. Protecting your home is a two stage process-
preventing termites from accessing your home and treating any infestations when
they are found. The most dangerous of the various types of termite is the
subterranean variety and here are a few tips on how to prevent them from
entering your home.
Remove Entry Points
Termites can enter through the smallest of crevices. To stop
them from getting into your home, seal all gaps around gas and water lines. Holes
made to allow pipes to pass through walls often have gaps big enough for
termites to get in. Make sure the seals are tight and complete. Another common
access point is through wood to ground contact. The termites eat their way
through the wood and get inside the structure. Reduce the wood to ground
contact as much as possible and treat what remains with termiticide to keep the
creatures away.
Reduce Food Sources
Termites feed on all types of cellulose materials. Ensure
that there is nothing of this kind accumulating anywhere near your home as it
will attract termites. Check the crawlspaces for any cellulose or wood that may
be lying there and get rid of it. Clean out the crawl space as much as possible
and have it treated with termiticde. If mulch has been used for your
landscaping, have it replaced by cellulose free options and if that is not
possible, ensure that the mulch is kept at a distance of at least one foot from
the foundation of the house. Termites love wooden sidings. Ensure that the
sidings in your house are at least six inches clear of the ground to prevent
termites from reaching it.
Eliminate Excess
Moisture
Termites love a moist environment and if you allow water to
collect in or near your home, it is an open invitation to termites. Check to
see if water is collecting around or near the foundation or roof of your house and
if so, find out the source and get the problem fixed. Check the basement and
crawlspace for signs of excess dampness. There could be many reasons for this
and if you find it, it is better to get an expert to identify the problem and
find a solution. Check for leaks in the plumbing and air conditioner
condensation lines and for faulty gutters. If anything is found, have it fixed
without delay.
Taking all the precautions you can to prevent
termite infestation is always a good thing. However, signs of termites are not
noticed until the situation becomes severe. Regular inspections
of your home by a reputed termite control company will help to ensure that your
home is termite free. And if any should be found, the company will have the
expertise, materials and equipment to get rid of them completely.
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