When the weather warms up, termites become more active, so spring is a good time to inspect your home to prevent termite damage.
Examine the outside of your house, particularly where wood is in contact with the ground. Use a flashlight to check the crawlspace or basement for any signs of termite activity. This can include termite tubes on foundation walls, rotten wood and termites themselves.
To reduce the chance of termite damage:
- Remove any wood mulch or debris near your house foundation.
- Keep firewood dry, off the ground, and stored away from your house.
- Don’t store wood or cardboard boxes under your house.
- Make sure water drains away from your house foundation.
- Have your home inspected and treated regularly by a pest control service.
Watch this video to learn more about how to prevent termite damage.
Further Information
- Formosan Termites: A Growing Threat
- Does Wood Mulch Attract Termites?
- Is Treating the Ground For Termites Enough?
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Danny Lipford: The warm days of spring and summer usually mean a lot of activities, from swimming to picnics to baseball games.
But those warmer temperatures also encourage another type of unwanted activity: termites and the damage they bring.
These destructive insects are cold-blooded, and live deep underground during the colder months where they’re very comfortable.
But when the temperatures start to rise, you’ll find them near the soil surface looking for food. So, it’s a good idea to inspect for termites at least once a year.
Now, just because you didn’t see any last year, doesn’t mean you won’t find some termites this year. Since most termite damage is closer to the ground, the best areas to check are around exterior walls, sill plates, around porches and walls that are common to garages.
Now, basically, you want to look at any place where there is ground-to-wood contact. Often, if you suspect termite activity, you can pry back the piece of wood around that area and you’ll find damage.
Now, if you’re doing the inspection yourself, plan on spending a couple of hours, because you want to be thorough when you inspect your home.
Of course, the best offense is a good defense. Remove any wood debris close to your home, and that includes mulch and firewood.
Now, eliminate any moisture problems by making sure water drains away from your foundation. And be sure to have a professional pest control service treat your home regularly to prevent termite damage.
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