Termites are small and can easily be mistaken for ants. They are also very good at staying out of sight, meaning that you can have a sizeable number sharing your house without you even knowing about it.
The good news is that termites don’t bite humans and they don’t carry diseases. Unfortunately, they do enjoy eating wood and a colony can cause a serious amount of damage in surprisingly little time. A single termite colony can devour six inches of 2×4 wood in just five months. When you consider the structural issues and cost of repairing the damage, an average insurance policy with termite protection suddenly seems like a reasonable option.
Of course, if you have a termite infestation then you need to contact a reputable pest control company and let them deal with the issue. They can locate the heart of the colony and ensure every termite is eradicated. They’ll also give you a general damage report to help prepare you for the upcoming work.
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Naturally, it’s better not to have termites in your home. An annual pest control survey will help ensure you don’t have an issue or spot it early. But, the best way to avoid termites is to know what attracts them and eliminate these items:
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Firewood To Close Too The House
Firewood is a perfect food source for termites. It’s generally fresh and starting to decay, making it easy to eat and attractive to termites. Of course, if the firewood pile is near your house then the termites only have a short distance to go to consume the house wood as well.
That makes it too attractive an option to miss. Simply moving the firewood pile further away will help.
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Damp In Your Home
Termites need to stay damp to survive, they also need moisture to live. If you have a damp foundation, water leaks, or even overflowing gutters, then you’ll be providing the termites with the dampness they need to survive.
In short, your home becomes a very attractive proposition.
Make sure you don’t have any leaks or standing water to help avoid attracting termites and other pests.
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Ease Of Access To Foundations
Because termites need to stay moist they like to enter your foundations through the soil around your home. This gives them access to wood and moisture.
However, if you place a layer of concrete around your home, approximately six inches wide, the termites can’t get through it and, therefore, are less likely to enter your home.
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Cracks
Of course, if you have cracks and gaps n your walls then you’ve already provided an entry point for termites and other pests. They can get through very small gaps. That’s why you need to regularly inspect your home and seal up any gaps and cracks you find. This will help to ensure the pests stay where they belong, outside your home.
You should note that your local pest control firm will help you identify risks in your home and yard, let them help you secure your property and save yourself from the hassle of a termite invasion.
