Four Ways To Keep Termite Colonies At Bay
Termites are horrible pests that can really wreak havoc on a home. They can eat away at the wood used in the framing of the house and rot the home from the inside out. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep termites from taking over your home. The following guide walks you through a few simple tips to keep your home safe from a colony of termites.
Don't Get Lazy
Some people lean items against their home simply because they do not want to take the time to put them away. Propping ladders, signs, or boards against your home because you do not want to take them to a garage or shed for storage can provide termites with a great way to get into your home. Termite colonies often live in the soil. When you prop items against your home, the termites use the items as a bridge to get to the wood in your home. Never prop things against your house to avoid providing termites with an easy way to invade your home.
Be Diligent
If you notice the paint on your home or the trim start to crack or peel, paint it right away. It will be much easier for termites to get at the wood if the paint is not in place. Apply a coat of paint to the wood whenever you notice it has become damaged to keep the termites at bay.
Properly Store Wood
If you need to use wood for your wood stove during the winter, be sure that you store it far away from your home. If termites are living in the wood, they can very easily leave the wood and climb into the walls of your home. Keeping the wood pile away from your home will decrease the chances of the termites taking up residency in your home.
Check Your Crawlspace
One place in many homes that termites thrive is in the crawlspace. They love damp, dark areas and a crawlspace is often the best area for them because it can often be the ideal conditions for them. Check the crawlspace regularly to make sure that it is as dry as it can be. If you notice that it floods often, you need to have professionals come and seal it so that the water cannot come into the area as much.
Preventing termites from entering your home is important. If you think that you may have a termite colony in or under your home, call a professional exterminator such as Blue Bell Termite Pest Control right away. Termites can cause a lot of damage to a home in a very short period of time. The sooner you get rid of them, the less damage they will be able to cause.