Termites are destructive pests that can cause thousands of dollars in damage if they infest your home. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make sure termites stay away from your property. From regular inspections to proper landscaping, these tips will help you keep termites away and help protect your home.
Regular Inspections
One of the best ways to prevent a termite infestation is through regular inspections. Every few months, you should inspect your home’s foundation for any signs of termite activity or damage. Look for mud tubes near the foundation, wood that sounds hollow when tapped on, and any other evidence of an infestation. If you find any signs of termites, it’s important to contact a pest control professional immediately so they can take care of the problem before it gets worse.
Eliminate Moisture
Termites thrive in moist environments, so it’s important to ensure your home stays dry and free from excess moisture. Make sure all pipe fittings and fixtures are sealed properly and check regularly for leaks around windows and doors. Make sure gutters are clear and functioning properly as well so rainwater is diverted away from your house instead of collecting near the foundation or walls where it could be more attractive to termites.
Proper Landscaping & Maintenance
Keeping trees, shrubs, mulch, firewood, etc., at least 15 feet away from the edges of your foundation helps deter termite activity near your house by preventing easy access for them to enter in search of food sources like wood or cellulose-based materials like paper or cardboard boxes. You should also avoid stacking firewood directly against the side of your house; instead store it off-site in a dry place so that it doesn’t attract unwanted pests like carpenter ants or termites. Additionally, make sure that any wood used for construction projects around the yard is treated with insecticide before being put into use.
Taking certain precautions ahead of time can help you avoid a costly termite infestation down the road. Regularly inspecting your home’s foundation for signs of infestation as well as making sure moisture levels are kept low will go a long way in helping keep these destructive pests out of your home and yard. Additionally, proper landscaping maintenance such as keeping organic material such as firewood at least 15 feet away from the foundation helps reduce the likelihood that they will get inside looking for food sources like wood or paper products made from cellulose materials.. By following these simple tips, you can help protect yourself against an expensive repair bill due to termite damage!
