Termites can live between 2-5 years, giving these insects plenty of time to eat away at your home. Because of this termites are considered one of the most destructive insects on Earth.
There have been cases of walls and ceilings collapsing due to termite damage. The damage can sometimes be so severe that the affected house must be knocked down. This is not only inconvenient but also a huge waste of money.
But what can you do to protect against termites? Keep reading and learn more about it below.
1. KEEP TIMBER AWAY FROM THE GROUND TO PROTECT AGAINST TERMITES
Your house is more likely to be affected by termites if there is timber in contact with the ground. Many homes have timber boards touching the ground. The timber may seem sealed and secure, but it likely isn’t.
Termites have ways of getting into the tightest of spaces. If there is a tiny crack in the timber, there is a good chance that termites will crawl inside and enter your home. They will then make themselves at home inside your walls, floors, and ceilings.
Many homeowners don’t know that their house is infested by termites until it is too late. Termites may live inside your house for months or occasionally years before they are discovered. This gives them plenty of time to eat away at the supports inside your house, costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. Keeping timber away from the ground is an easy way to keep this from happening.
THE DETAILS
Any timber attached to your house that touches the ground creates a perfect pathway for termites. You can fix this problem by removing this timber. You can do this by replacing it with a different material such as metal, fibre board or tiles.
You could also just cut the timber shorter, so it doesn’t touch the ground.
Timber stairs touching the ground may be a problem too. Termites can enter your house through the stairs and crawl under the floor or porch.
Don’t be fooled by pressure-treated timber either. While this timber is more durable, it isn’t resistant to termites. Termites can still eat their way through it, creating tunnels that make it easy for the insects to access the deeper structures of your house. This is where they can wreak havoc and create serious damage.
These are some of the simple ways to that homeowners can protect against termites.
2. REDUCE MOISTURE AND CLUTTER
Termites love moisture as much as they love timber. It is important to keep moisture away from your home’s foundation. Excess moisture around this area will act as a magnet for termites.
Moisture may seep into the deeper structures of your house as well. This will make it more likely that termites will enter your home. Moisture may accumulate near your windows too.
This is especially true if your windows are made of timber. Rain and humidity may latch on and stay there. The termites will then have an easy way to enter your home.
You can fix this problem by making sure your home has good drainage. Any water or moisture should be directed away from your home and not left to sit around the base of your house.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Clutter around your house can cause the same problem, for example stored logs. These logs will hold moisture and also attract termites to the area.
This makes it easy for termites to set up camp around your home. Other materials like cardboard will cause the same problem. They attract moisture along with termites.
Be careful with piles of leaves and other natural debris, including inside the roof gutters. As these materials decay, they will produce more moisture which makes your house more vulnerable to termite attack.
The best thing to do to protect against termites is to keep the area around your house and roof gutters clear at all times. Take out the rake and brush away leaves and twigs if you need to. This will keep your house dry and less attractive to termites.
3. CONSIDER HIRING A PROFESSIONAL
DIY termite prevention can only do so much. There is a point when hiring pest prevention and pest control services is a better option to protect against termites. Professional termite pest control services have years of experience in this field.
They know all about the most common signs of termites and what to look for. They can tell if your house has termites and how severe the damage is. They can also clear out any termites that may be living in your house.
This makes your life easier since you won’t have to do any of the heavy lifting. The professionals can help keep your house free of termites in the future. They might give you some tips on how to keep termites at bay too.
Having regular termite inspections is a good way to keep your house free of insects.
HOW TO PREVENT TERMITES – The Takeaways
Learning how to prevent termites isn’t hard, but there are several things to consider.
- You also should not have any timber on your home coming in contact with the soil.
- Termites love moisture, so it is important to make sure the area surrounding your house is dry.
- Enlist the help of a Termite Professional. Here at Flash Pest Control, we have the expertise to can help you with whatever termite problem you have. To learn more, check out our services or contact us today for a Free Onsite Quote.