A subterranean termite infestation can set you back thousands of dollars, so knowing what attracts these termites to your home, and what you can do to lower the odds of an infestation can save you a lot of money. Let’s take a look at the various factors that play a role in the start of a subterranean termite infestation.

Outdoor wood sources

Subterranean termites will often be drawn to an outdoors source of wood. This can mean a firewood pile that is connected to the ground and unprotected from the elements, or a tree stump that is somewhere in the yard. These pieces of wood are big draws for termites, because they are softened by the elements, and termites will prefer wood that is softer in the initial stages of the infestation.

Mulch can also be a big draw, and if you use it regularly in your garden, you need to make sure that it does not touch the foundation of the home, or that there is some barrier between the mulch and the foundation. Once the termites infest a piece of wood in the yard near the home, they will continue scouting the area for more wood to consume. This increases the odds that they will reach the home and infest it, so making sure that these outdoor wood sources are removed or as far away from the home is essential to preventing subterranean termite infestations.

Indoor moisture issues

There are several areas of the home which are notorious for moisture issues, areas such as the basement or the crawlspace. Leaky pipes, and clogged gutters can also elevate the moisture content of the wood around them, and this softened wood often becomes a target for termites. To prevent infestations, these issues need to be resolved, either with proper ventilation, or repairs

Controlling an existing infestation

Once an infestation is already started in the home, a chemical barrier will have to be installed in order to block the termites from traveling from their colony to the building and back. These barriers have to be installed by a pest control pro. Baiting systems may also be used in situations, where the colony itself has to be destroyed.

For more information about how you can prevent a subterranean termite infestation in your home, or if you currently have a termite infestation that needs to be removed, contact us today.

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