Every year termites wreak havoc among homeowners. These pesky critters will literally eat your home away. Termites feed off of organic matter such as wood. Considering most homes and buildings are made of at least some wood, termites tend to cause lots of structural damage; an average of about $5 billion per year in the U.S. The following tips can really put you one step ahead of these “silent destroyers.”
1. Remove Moisture
Termites thrive is moist environments. Keeping all sources of water to a minimum would greatly affect the survival of termites. Things like nearby water faucets and leaky pipes can really help termites survive near your home and should be properly fixed.
2. Reduce Direct Soil and Wood Contact
Having direct contact between the wooden parts of your home with the soil would give termites an all-access pass to your home. Termites, like most other bugs, live in the soil and forage for food. Having soil and wood in direct contact increases the risks that termites will find your home for lunch.
3. Fix Cracks, Openings, and Holes
Just like any other bug or unwanted intruder, having exposed cracks and holes into your home can let the termites in. Make sure any remotely thin openings or cracks in the foundation are properly sealed and fixed.
4. Don’t Store Wood or Mulch Nearby
Wood is a termite’s favorite meal, so storing it in the backyard can attract the critters. Piles of wood can easily gather moisture and having them close to the home will draw in the buggers. Mulch, which is meant to conserve moisture, can obviously also be very dangerous to keep nearby.
5. Remove Shrubs and Grass
Keeping the home free of grass and plant life will also help keep termites away. Sometimes plants like to cuddle up close to our homes, but these plants produce moisture, which will likely draw in the termites.
6. Ventilation
Keeping your home ventilated will help reduce moisture. Good air circulation will help maintain the buildup of moisture to a minimum.
7. Use Chemically Treated Wood or Timber That’s Naturally Resistant
When building a new home or making additions, it is always a good idea to look into some termite resistant materials to use. Some woods can be chemically treated to ward off those predatory termites.
8. Have Home Inspected Regularly
The best way to guarantee that your home is free of termites is to have a professional inspect your home regularly. Termites are “silent destroyers”, and before you know it your home could be crumbling to the ground. Having a professional rule out the presence of these critters is the best option for maintaining your home free of termites.
Houston Termite Control
Bulwark Exterminating10900 Brittmoore Park Drive
Houston, TX 77041
(281) 668-4930
bulwarkpestcontrol.com AAAnimal Pro: Wildlife Control
8280 Golf Green Circle
Houston, TX 77036
(832) 248- 7804
houstonwildlifepatrol.com Terminix
16155 Park Row, Suite 190
Houston, TX 77084
(832) 460-3698
terminix.com
Author Bio: Heydi Ruelas is a journalism student and blogger for Bulwark Exterminating, an industry leader in providing high quality termite control service. When I’m not playing with my two adorable nieces, I’m on the tennis court chasing that little green ball around.
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