No homeowner or property manager wants to have to deal with a termite infestation, and the best way to avoid one is to take preventative measures that will discourage these pests from making your home into theirs. Prevention may cost some time and resources, but it will certainly be better over the long run than dealing with costly termite property damage repairs in the future. Here are some ways you can say no to termites now.
Do Quality Outdoor Planning
When you own a yard or other large outdoor space, one of your primary property responsibilities is to take care of it. A lot of the things that happen in nature on your property can affect your indoor environment. Termites are no exception to this rule. Depending on the kind of termite that might land on your property, you could end up with an infestation in your home from practically anywhere outdoors. Some ways you can manage your outdoor space to prevent termites include:
Keep firewood in a safe place:
We recommend storing firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and 5 inches off the ground. Drywood termites love to infest firewood, and if you store firewood right up against the walls of your home, they can easily find a way to get inside. Keeping your firewood raised up in a designated area on your property away from your foundation can help a lot with keeping termite problems at bay.
Watch where you put your mulch:
Mulch also attracts termites in a big way. Like firewood, if mulch is allowed to touch the walls of your home directly, you could risk termites being able to get into your home from this wood source. To prevent this from happening, make sure mulch is at least 15 inches away from the foundation of your home, or put up termite-proof barriers to separate the mulch from your foundation.
Take out dead trees and stumps:
Dead wood is a prime target for termites, and if fallen trees and rotting stumps are not removed, they could be the source of a termite infestation on your property in the future.
Use quality construction materials and techniques:
If you build a new structure on your property, like a shed or a garage, make sure to use treated lumber and professional standards. Any wood that is not separated from or raised off the ground by a termite-proof barrier like concrete.
Keep Your Home Clean and Dry
Some termites are attracted to damp conditions. Ground that stays wet and moisture-softened wood—particularly in basements or crawl spaces—are often targeted by subterranean termites and dampwood termites. And when the underground parts of your home are compromised, it becomes much easier for the rest of your home to become infested. So it’s a good idea to manage any moisture problems you may have. Seal or finish basement areas and look out for moisture and drainage problems after heavy rains. Our moisture management services can also help.
Termite Home Inspections
We also offer termite inspections and preventative maintenance for your property. If you’re buying or selling a home, a termite inspection will likely be required before the property can pass to the next owner. We can come to do this inspection to help this process move smoothly. Additionally, if you want to prevent termites from ever showing up on your property—especially if you have rental properties that you’re trying to protect from damage—we can treat your property at regular intervals to make it unwelcoming to these troublesome pests. You can learn more about the process and methods involved in preventing or treating for termites here.
Get a Regular Termite Treatment or Inspection
Pest control professionals use industry-grade tools and pesticides that can discourage termites from choosing your property as their home in the first place. A preventative maintenance plan can go a long way to helping you stay termite free and maintaining your property’s health and value. At Dodson Pest Control, our technicians are well-trained to spot termite infestations and treat potential sources of infestation. We have over 80 years of experience performing these tasks, and we make it a priority to get them done quickly and efficiently. Contact us today for a free inspection!