How To Prevent Termite Infestations
Termites are a common household pest that can cause a great deal of structural damage to wooden components of your home, which makes them particularly destructive. A termite infestation can also be quite costly to fix, since the termites themselves will have to be dealt with before the damage they have done within your home can be fixed. Therefore, the best form of termite control is preventing them from making it into your home in the first place.
Reduce Foundation Moisture
Like most other types of insects and pests, termites are attracted to moisture, especially moisture that has collected around or in wood. Therefore, one of the best ways to keep termites out of your home is to also reduce the amount of moisture that is absorbed into your foundation. You can do this in a variety of methods: ensuring that your gutters are clear, not leaking, and are connected to downspouts that carry rainwater far enough away from your home is a good place to start. If you suffer from constant basement flooding or moisture, you may want to contact a contractor about installing a moisture barrier in your basement, or a plumber to install a French drain or sump pump to ensure proper drainage.
Landscaping Choices
You should also make an effort to alter the design of your landscape and garden to reduce the amount of wood that is near the side of your home. This means keeping the amount of mulch that you use in your flowerbeds to a minimum, and avoiding using any right up against the walls or doors of your house. You'll also want to store any firewood a fair distance away from you home, ideally in a raised firewood stand that makes it harder for termites to actually make it into the wood where they could accidentally be brought inside. Further, you should also remove all dead wood from your landscape, including fallen branches and dead tree stumps which can prove to be a haven to a termite colony.
Seal Entranceways
While not necessarily a tip to prevent termites specifically, inspecting the various entranceways around your home for openings is a good way to keep out all insects and potential pests. Check the weatherstripping around your doors and windows for rips and tears, and replace it as needed. The same goes for window screens and screen doors, and any leaks or openings which may have appeared around skylights, roof vents, and other potential ways into your house.
For more tips on preventing a termite infestation, contact companies like Reliant Termite and Pest Control.
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