2 Common Mistakes To Avoid And Keep Termites Away

8 December 2021
 Categories: , Blog

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Termites are a homeowner's worst nightmare because of the damage they can cause to your valued investment. Sometimes you invite termites into your home through actions that you consider ordinary and harmless.  

Here is a roundup of common mistakes that you should avoid to prevent termite infestation in your home.

Making Your Home Attractive to Termites

Do you love to stack firewood near your home? While this is a convenient place to store firewood (especially during winter), you offer a warm invite to termites. These pests can burrow through the wood into your house and cause massive damage. 

To keep termites out of your home, don't stack woodpiles against the walls of your house. Also, keep the woodpile raised from the ground to prevent wood rot that may attract termites. Additionally, only use treated wood for your fence to avoid giving termites a viable food source. 

You should not leave tree limbs and mulch around your home either. Old tree stumps offer termites perfect harborage. The soft and moist nature of a rotting tree stump is a good launchpad for a termite infestation in your home. So, remove the tree stumps and their roots completely. 

Mulch comprises dead wood chips that conserve moisture, which makes it a delicacy for termites. Don't pile it too high as you mulch your flower bed because termites can find crevices on the walls and infest your home. Also, maintain some distance (15 inches) between the mulch and your home's foundation to make it hard for termites to invade your home.

Ignoring Warning Signs

Generally, termites are hard to detect, especially for the dry wood termites that live in wood. Still, the following signs suggest your home hosts termites.

Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites use tiny soil particles to create travel tunnels (mud tubes) for their colonies as they look for wood. You will spot mud tubes mostly on your home's exterior and basement.

Unusual Warping

Warped wood is not unusual on more humid days. However, if you notice abnormal warping in the dry season, you may have termites in your home. Window and door frames are most susceptible to termite attack because they are exposed and easily accessible. 

Remember that termites gnaw through wood and cause warping in these structures. The unusual warping happens due to the heat and moisture termites generate as they eat away the wood. As a result, the wood loses its original shape, and your doors or windows become difficult to open and close. 

Stop making these two mistakes to keep termites out of your home. However, contact pest control services for termite inspection and treatment if you already have an active infestation.

For more information on termite control, contact a professional near you.