Are termites an issue on your property? Termites can be an enormous nuisance. Their colonies form quickly and can cause severe damage.
Professional exterminators are available to eliminate termite infestation. If the cost of termite treatment seems daunting, try some of these DIY preventive and control strategies instead.
Take Regular Inspections
Make it a point to inspect your foundation at least every year, especially since termites don’t eat concrete directly, but termites still use wood in structures as food sources that they often climb to gain entry. It is therefore critical that they don’t gain access and gain entry.
As thieves scale foundations, they create mud tubes. If this occurs on your property, take note to determine whether any damage was done to wooden siding or deeper structural elements.
Your foundation must also be checked from within, using wood touching it as evidence from either a basement or crawlspace inspection. A bright flashlight should be used to examine understructure, beams, and joists for damage.
Termites can gain entry to your home through cracks in bricks, cement and expansion joints. Be on the lookout for signs that they have entered and seal any possible openings to stop access.
At least every few years, it would be wise to enlist professional assistance to inspect your home. This may be especially important if there are wooden elements touching the ground or areas that are difficult to access in your property.
Check for Signs of Infestation
Look for evidence of damaged wood, such as any crushing at structural joints and small holes no bigger than the point of a pencil.
If you suspect termites have damaged wood, test it using your thumb to inspect. Alternatively, probe with the blunt end of a flathead screwdriver or pocket knife.
Press firmly against an element, and if it flexes or wobbles, that indicates termites may be present. Scrape away a portion of wood to reveal any tunnels created by termites.
Brittle drywall may be a telltale sign that small intruders have invaded. Paint bubbling or buckling may also provide clues.
Keep an eye out for small accumulations of termite droppings that resemble sawdust. There may also be wings found piled near windows or other sources of illumination – you might even spot live insects!
Care for Ventilation and Sealing
Some species of termites feed off damp wood. Therefore, to prevent moisture build-up within your home and protect its contents from termite attack, make sure that ventilation and sealing systems are in good shape by regularly checking on sealing and ventilation issues.
Attic and basement spaces can be particularly susceptible to condensation, leading to moisture seeping into wood surfaces and damp air building up behind walls, inviting termites. Therefore, it’s crucial that these areas be sealed or adequately ventilated.
Be Aware of Food Sources for Termites
Many materials in your home can attract termites, from wood to the more obscure materials such as rubber.
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