Termites are destructive. They can cause billions of dollars in property and structural damages every year. Prevention is always the best way to protect your home from termites. Read on below to know the measures and actions you can take to make your home and property termite free.
- Check your home for termites.
You cannot fight back against something that you are not aware of in the first place. Be alert for termites in your home and property. Check and probe exposed wood for hollow spots.
Check for presence of termite swarms. Termites have wings that are roughly equal in length, and they have straight antennae that may droop.
- Check your roofs regularly.
Moisture attracts termites. Broken tiles in your roof create moisture, and provide an entry point for termites to your home. Repair broken tiles immediately.
- Maintain your home’s drainage and gutters.
Since termites are drawn to moisture, it is important to keep the soil around your home’s foundation dry. Perform regular maintenance of your gutters and downspouts. Make sure that the rainwater runoff from your roof is 3 meters or more from your home’s foundation.
- Keep away piled firewood, wood debris, trees, and shrubs from the structure.
Termites feed on cellulose, and wood materials contain cellulose. Keeping wooden materials from the structure is one way of preventing termites from entering your home.
Your home will have exposed wooden fixtures, and it is necessary to ensure they are termite free. Make sure to regularly check on the following: wooden beams in the attic room, wooden flooring, wooden furniture, wooden cupboards, and doors.
- Check for leaks and cracks.
Leaks and cracks create moisture which termites love. Fix leaky faucets and pipes once you detect them. Seal cracks in your stuccos with a coat of paint, to prevent moisture buildup in your interior walls.
Treatment of Termites
If you discover that your home is termite infested, you can choose from the following termite treatment options:
- Non-Chemical Treatments
These treatments give you the means to drive termites out, without the use of insecticides. These may include the following: a physical barrier such as steel mesh and sands, and biological control agents.
- Chemical Treatments
Choose only EPA-approved treatments and pesticides, for the protection of you and your family’s health, and of the environment. Termiticides are pesticides used for treatment of termite infestations. Treatments done to your property can be any of the following: liquid soil-applied termiticides, termite baits, and wood treatments.
To help you deal with your termite problem safely and effectively, call a reputable pest control company. A pest control professional will not only help you eliminate termites in your home, but they can also help you maintain your home termite free, and keep your home and family safe from these damaging pests.
Written by BugOut Pest Control & Lawn Care. BugOut Pest Control & Lawn Care offers the best service for pest control in Columbia, MO.