How to Prevent Termites from Destroying Your Home

There’s no need to describe in detail how termites can damage your home. It can cost you thousands of dollars for repairs especially when the damage goes undiscovered for a long time. However, it’s an ever-present concern and that’s even truer when you’re considering premium flooring solutions such as hardwood.

Luckily for you, there are measures you can practice thatprevents termites from wreaking havoc inside your house. Here are some tips that can help:

1. If you’re still building your home or adding a patio or deck, make sure you use treated lumber that deters termites.
2. You can also raise the wooden support beams from the ground with concrete supports.
3. Termites need lots of moisture, so when you’re building your home you have to make sure you have proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. Spaces must be properly ventilated, including the attic and internal crawl spaces.
4. Clean the debris from downspouts and gutters on a regular basis. Clogged drains result in pools of water that termites love.
5. Fix all your water leaks.
6. Get rid of pools of water around your house, which result after raining or after the ice melts.
7. Seal all the holes and cracks in the foundation of your home. Make sure you also seal the openings where your utilities pass through the walls. You can use caulk, grout, or cement. These cracks and openings can let the termites in.
8. You should also check your roof. It can let termites in, so you have to repair broken roof tiles. You may also have a moisture problem that can act as a beacon for termites around your house. See if you have damp spots in your roof, and use a dehumidifier if you have trouble.
9. Your air conditioner unit can also result in moist settings that termites can live in, so make sure that the air conditioner releases the moisture away from your house foundations.
10. The attic is also a popular spot for termite activityand it’s easy enough to overlook that the damage can continue for years. You have to regularly check for termite damageby pressing your thumb on the wood to check for any spongy areas. If you do find these spots, call for an exterminator or use a termite treatment solution.
11. You also need to check around the houseand get rid of decaying vegetation that can attract the termites. These can include decaying roots, stumps, and dead trees. Termites can live off these things for a while and when these are gone they will move to your house to find new food sources.
12. Don’t use wood mulch near your home. You’re giving the termites the food and water they need to live. You can sue rubber mulch instead.
13. Get rid of any kind of wood that touches the groundincluding firewood and wood scraps. If that is not possible, put in barriers under the wood so that the wood isn’t directly touching the ground.
14. Stop using cardboard boxes, especially in the attic. Use plastic boxes instead.
15. If you’re using wood flooring, do not forget to put in a termite barrier first.
16. You should also think about termite damage if you have lots of wooden furniture. You should at least keep them away from the walls. Don’t forget this rule for your cabinets and bed frames, along with your bookshelves.
17. Try to use metal stands instead of wood stands for your storage units, especially in your garage.

Whatever you do, you still need apro to inspect your home for termite infestation. You should do this every year.