Pest Control Advice

Termites are one of the most dreadful pests that can make their way into your home. These little wood-eating critters can leave a huge trail of destruction in your home if not detected or stopped early enough. 

Taking action to prevent termites from invading your home or to stop them in their tracks is vital to winning the fight against termite infestation. For you to put effective strategies in place, it is important to understand that two things draw termites to homes – food and moisture sources. With that said, here's a look at some of the steps you can take to combat termite attacks in your abode. 

Avoid direct earth-to-wood contact  

Termites love to eat wet wood, so wood components of your house that are in direct contact with the soil will send an open invitation for termites to come into your home. Separating wood from the soil using masonry like concrete can help eliminate direct earth-to-wood contact and keep termites at bay.

Keep wood away from the home

Storing scrap wood, firewood, wooden frames, and other forms of wood inside or near your home is not a good idea because they may attract termites. Keep wood away from your house whenever you can.

Block potential entryways by fixing cracks in masonry

Sealing cracks around windows, doors, and attic or crawl space vents will help keep termites away but also improve the energy efficiency of your home. Make sure you caulk around windows, replace worn weatherstripping around doors, and repair any cracks around attic or crawl space vents. 

Create chemical barriers

Ask a termite control professional to pretreat your home. They will apply insecticide along the foundation of your house and along the ground surrounding the home. As professionals are familiar with approved treatment chemicals, they can guarantee successful termite control.

Fix leaks post-haste

Ignoring a leaky roof or water pipe can hurt your efforts to keep termites out of your home. This is because these problems encourage moisture accumulation in the affected areas of the home, thus providing a desirable habitat for termites. Repair leaks immediately you spot them.

In case you find out that your home is termite-infested, you should immediately ask a termite control expert for help. Termites can cause a lot of destruction to your home if they are not dealt with appropriately, so don't take any chances by trying to manage the problem yourself. Your home is a big investment -- don't let termites destroy it.