Termites
Termites 101
There are two types of homes, those with termites and those that will get them! Termites only need a 1/16 inch crack to enter a structure through cement. Termites do more damage in this country than fires, and you are 3 times more likely to have termites than a fire in your home!
Warning Signs of Infestation
The best way to determine if termites are in your home is with a thorough inspection from a pest management professional. Termites don’t always leave apparent signs of infestation but a few to be aware of are:
- Visible termite swarms during the day or early evening typically in early spring
- Termites or termite wings on window sills or along walls
- Evidence of termite damage to wood in or around windows, doorframes, basement sils and/or beams.
- Mud tubes appearing on foundation inside or outside
What You Can Do
Moisture and wood are your watchwords here. Termites love both. Here are some guidelines for making your home less attractive to termites:
- Avoid letting the wooden part of your home’s structure to make contact with the ground. Also, pressure-treated wood is NOT immune. Termites can burrow into the cracks and splits at the end.
- Divert moisture away from your home. Landscape so that the ground slopes away from the dwelling. Do regular maintenance of gutters, drainpipes and splash blocks. Keep an eye on plumbing and AC units.
- Keep any crawl spaces well vented and accessible for inspections.
- Never store cellulose materials such as firewood, lumber, cardboard or newspapers against the foundation of your home or in a crawl space.
- Outside, use mulching sparingly and rake it regularly to keep it from molding. Also, keep mulch away from wooden doors and frames. It’s like tossing a little kid a crumb and hoping they won’t notice the birthday cake next to it!
- Schedule regular pest control inspections so you can head off potential pests before they cause any harm to your home.
How Can I Tell if My House Has Termites?
If you think you may have termites attacking your home, don’t hesitate.
Having a licensed professional termite inspector inspect your home now is far more cost-effective than having to make expensive and extensive repairs to your house due to future termite damage. Most insurance companies do not cover termite damage so prevention is key. Call us today to schedule your free inspection!