Termite Prevention Tips
When it comes to gaining access to your home, termites are amazingly proficient. The last thing you want to do is make their job easier. Regular inspections by a licensed pest management professional are the best way to help ensure your home truly is, and remains, free from termites and the damage they cause. Qualified pest management professionals have the training in termite biology and behavior to identify, prevent and treat termite infestations. They can also explain how to correct any conditions in your home that invite termites.
For example:
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Don't affix wooden trellises to exterior walls.
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Keep mulch, wood debris, scrap lumber, sawdust and firewood away from your home. If you do keep firewood outside your house during the winter, keep it raised and off the ground.
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Don't stack, store or bury wood debris adjacent to your home.
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Trim all shrubs, bushes and other dense greenery away from the foundation of your home. Move mulch away from the foundation as well.
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Remove infested trees and stumps.
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Repair leaking faucets and water lines, both indoors and outdoors.
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Fix leaky roofs and gutters.
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Don't allow leaves to accumulate in gutters and drains.
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Grade soil so that water (including air-conditioning condensation) runs away from foundations.
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Ventilate crawl spaces and attics to reduce humidity.
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Remove all wood to soil contact.
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Cover at least 90% of the soil in crawl spaces with plastic sheeting.
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Ideally, wood siding, stucco and foam board should be at least six inches away from the ground.
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Seal all cracks and holes in your home's foundation, which may provide a handy access point for termites.