Termites can infest any home at any time. The best way to achieve termite control is to understand and practice termite prevention. Protecting a home begins with knowing the signs and the conditions that termites prefer so that you can reduce the chances that they find your home a tasty treat. You may already have termite damage and not even realize it.
Termite prevention starts when a homeowner understands the risk. Any wood that touches the ground provides access for termites. It could be something simple, like a deck or lattice work in a garden by the house. Or it could be the siding itself. Whenever ground to soil contact occurs, the threat of termites gaining access to the house occurs. It's important to keep soil and wood completely separate.
Sources of moisture are another key to termite prevention. Moist wood attracts termites like a magnet. Look around your home for sources of moisture. If water collects anywhere near your home, find a way to divert it away from the structure. Often this results from rainwater runoff, or gutters or downspouts needing repair.
If your home has a crawlspace or attic, it should be checked for moisture or buildup of water. While not every house has a crawlspace, they attract moisture because of the nature of their construction. Construction often routes ventilation systems, such as from a laundry room or bathroom into these spaces, trapping moisture. Correction of these problems can go a long way towards termite prevention.
Many homes feature mulched beds. Anytime mulch is piled against the house, it causes two problems. It provides easy access for termites into the home, and it may also hold moisture against the wood making it even more attractive to termites. Good termite prevention requires all mulch to be pulled away from the house so as to leave a gap between the mulch and the wood.
Homes with a fireplace may pose a problem as well. Many homeowners don't realize that firewood piled next to the house is a disaster waiting to happen. Keep firewood well away from the home or any other wood structure, such as a shed, even during winter months. It's better to have to walk out into the cold winter night to gather some wood than deal with the expense of repairing termite damage.
One of the best methods of termite prevention is to have an annual termite inspection by a professional. Termite damage can be easily missed by homeowners not familiar with the subtle signs. Trained professionals can spot infestations or potential future trouble spots and prevent future damage. Such inspections may be considered "termite insurance" and are inexpensive compared to the potential damage.
Knowing what conditions termites prefer and how to reduce or eliminate the chances of them infesting a home is the best form of termite control. Remember to eliminate sources of moisture near your home, eliminate ground to wood contact, and schedule annual termite inspections. These steps will go a long way towards termite prevention. - 29955
Termite prevention starts when a homeowner understands the risk. Any wood that touches the ground provides access for termites. It could be something simple, like a deck or lattice work in a garden by the house. Or it could be the siding itself. Whenever ground to soil contact occurs, the threat of termites gaining access to the house occurs. It's important to keep soil and wood completely separate.
Sources of moisture are another key to termite prevention. Moist wood attracts termites like a magnet. Look around your home for sources of moisture. If water collects anywhere near your home, find a way to divert it away from the structure. Often this results from rainwater runoff, or gutters or downspouts needing repair.
If your home has a crawlspace or attic, it should be checked for moisture or buildup of water. While not every house has a crawlspace, they attract moisture because of the nature of their construction. Construction often routes ventilation systems, such as from a laundry room or bathroom into these spaces, trapping moisture. Correction of these problems can go a long way towards termite prevention.
Many homes feature mulched beds. Anytime mulch is piled against the house, it causes two problems. It provides easy access for termites into the home, and it may also hold moisture against the wood making it even more attractive to termites. Good termite prevention requires all mulch to be pulled away from the house so as to leave a gap between the mulch and the wood.
Homes with a fireplace may pose a problem as well. Many homeowners don't realize that firewood piled next to the house is a disaster waiting to happen. Keep firewood well away from the home or any other wood structure, such as a shed, even during winter months. It's better to have to walk out into the cold winter night to gather some wood than deal with the expense of repairing termite damage.
One of the best methods of termite prevention is to have an annual termite inspection by a professional. Termite damage can be easily missed by homeowners not familiar with the subtle signs. Trained professionals can spot infestations or potential future trouble spots and prevent future damage. Such inspections may be considered "termite insurance" and are inexpensive compared to the potential damage.
Knowing what conditions termites prefer and how to reduce or eliminate the chances of them infesting a home is the best form of termite control. Remember to eliminate sources of moisture near your home, eliminate ground to wood contact, and schedule annual termite inspections. These steps will go a long way towards termite prevention. - 29955
About the Author:
An ounce of termite prevention is worth a pound of termite control. Florida Bug Inspectors has been helping Florida families prevent termite problems for over 25 years. Russ Frank, the owner, is an expert in termite prevention and control. Contact FBI for solutions to your termite problem.
