Many homeowners often wonder how they can prevent termites from destroying their homes. There are two primary methods for preventing termite damage to your home. Those methods include preventing termites from gaining access to your home and treating termites if they do gain access. Hiring an expert termite control company can help with both of those goals.
One of the best ways to prevent termite access to your home is to schedule regular termite inspections. A qualified expert should perform these inspections on an annual basis. During these inspections, your pest control expert can address any conditions in and around your home that might lead to termite access. Such everyday situations include contact between wood and the ground as well as the presence of excessive moisture.
An expert termite control company can also provide recommendations regarding preventative termite treatments. These treatments may include bait and monitoring systems or even direct wood treatment. By working with a pest control professional, you can determine which treatment is most useful for your home’s situation.
Removal of access is another crucial step in preventing termites from gaining access to your home. Homeowners can accomplish this by sealing any gaps around gas and water lines that might provide entry to the house. Pest control experts also recommend reducing wood-to-ground contact when possible. Depending on your situation, your pest control expert may recommend treating wood in your home with termiticide.
By working with an experienced pest control company, you will also learn how to reduce food sources that might make your home more attractive to termites. It would help if you disposed of any cellulose materials that might be present in your home, particularly in crawl spaces. Additionally, it would be best if you relocated landscaping mulch, so it is a minimum of six inches away from your home’s foundation.
It is also essential to reduce as much excess moisture as possible. Homeowners should ensure there is no opportunity for water to accumulate around their home’s foundation. It would be best if you also took care of faulty gutters, leaky plumbing, or any moisture problems that might be present in crawl spaces or the basement of your home. The same approach applies to air conditioner condensation lines.
Homeowners may also find it beneficial to seal all the crevices and cracks in their homes to prevent termites from gaining access to their homes. An easy way to accomplish this is by giving your home a fresh coat of paint. The installation of foundation vents and bug screens over windows is also vital for keeping termites out of your home.
Your pest management professional can also provide recommendations regarding prevention techniques. A monitoring station can give warning of termite activity in your home. The earlier you are notified of the presence of termites in your home, the more opportunity you will have to address the situation early on. Homeowners should keep in mind that monitoring stations do not provide termite infestation protection. It is still important to discuss proactive treatment with your termite control company.