As a homeowner, you learn quickly that you can’t protect your home from every natural occurrence. For instance, termites are one of nature’s nuisances that seems to always find a way to cost homeowners in more ways than one. When you learn what’s attracting termites onto your property, however, you might have a fighting chance at keeping your Centerton home safe with the right preventative measures.
Termite Damage In Centerton
Many people think that termites only do damage to your home during the warm summer months. However, that is simply when they recolonize more frequently; they’re actually active all-year-round. Termites typically live in moist soil, crawling around in search of wood to eat. The queen is at the center of the colony, and the worker termites will bring food back to her. There are also swarmer termites in charge of reproduction and recolonization. You’re not likely to see the worker termites, as they typically stay in the soil or within your walls. The swarmers, however, can often be visible on warm days following a rainstorm.
Noticing these swarmers, (along with the other signs of a termite infestation), is extremely important to avoiding termite damage. Around the country, termites account for $5 billion of damage to homes each year, and, to make matters worse, most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover termite damage.
Termites can cause a problem on any property, but, contrary to popular belief, the damage doesn’t have to be that costly every time there is an infestation. In fact, a majority of termite damage can be avoided simply by seeing the signs early. These include:
- Swarmers on your property
- Frass (sawdust/termite droppings) building up along the baseboards
- Clicking noises within the walls
- Tightening around doors and windows
- Failure to see a termite infestation can lead to thousands of dollars’ worth of damage in less than a years’ time, so make sure to call professional pest experts at the first sign of termites.
Best DIY ( Do It Yourself) Prevention Methods
It’s important to call professionals at the first sign of termites because there is simply no good way to get rid of them on your own. You can, however, do a few things to prevent an infestation in the first place. Since termites are highly attracted to wood that has already been damaged by moisture and rot, a majority of the DIY prevention methods will revolve around moisture control. You should:
- Use a dehumidifier in your basement and crawl spaces if they lack air conditioning.
- Monitor your pipes carefully, as even the slightest leak can create moisture buildup.
- Control rain runoff with gutters and downspouts, directing the water away from pooling near the foundation of the home.
Other activities that can help prevent a termite infestation include storing your wood away from the home, keeping your yard free of debris, and limiting soil to wood contact. As termites crawl through the soil in search of wood, they might end up bumping into your home’s foundation. To avoid this unfortunate occurrence, you can create a buffer between the soil and the wood that will deter an infestation. Obviously, wooden mulch would not create an effective buffer, but 12-18” of materials like gravel, pine straw, or rubber mulch can keep termites away.
How To Keep Your Home Safe From Termites
While these methods can help you limit your chances of a termite infestation, nothing provides guaranteed solutions like professional pest control. With thousands of dollars potentially on the line, do you really want to roll the dice? The experts at Alder Pest Control are here to help! For termite prevention you can count on, make the right call: the best termite control services comes with the professional assistance of Alder Pest Control.
