Termite Prevention
The Facts About Termite Prevention
If you are one of the few lucky ones whose homes are built of modern materials, termite prevention shouldn’t ever be an issue for you while you own your home. Modern technology has given us treated wood which disallows termite infestation by basically poisoning the cellulose within it. Being as the cellulose is what the termites are after, they are much more likely to just keep on walking right past your house. There are also wood substitutes which are cost effective and unattractive to termites, and these are commonly found on outdoor construction projects such as decks, balconies, and sheds. For those of you who are dealing with the very real task of fending off these crazy creatures, termite prevention is key for your peace of mind.
Termite prevention is very much the same as if you were to guard against ants or roaches. The basic rules apply to all of the above, and knowing all about them could save you a great deal of time, worry, and money. For starters, you should rethink using any deteriorating wood or lumber either on your home or in the landscaping. It can be very quaint to set old railroad ties and slat board fencing around the perimeter of your home, but this is basically a welcome mat to termites. Don’t forget that they nest beneath their target structures, and then branch out from there to seek their ill gotten spoils. Don’t give them any reason to feel welcome in your yard at all.
Another popular adornment which undermined termite prevention is mulch. Any untreated or completely dead wood can, and will, attract them in droves. Many of your mulch and shaving packages will read that they are not attractants for insects, but this only lasts for one season if you are lucky. Leaving these types of materials to decompose will create the perfect environment for termite infestations. Firewood should be stored away from your home as well, but if you do keep it in the house during winter it should be held at an elevation of at least 5 inches from the floor. Termite prevention starts at the ground up, and you will definitely benefit from keeping it all as simple and clean as possible.
Trimming back your tree branches and bushes so that they have no immediately proximity to your exterior walls or roof will improve your chances of deterring termites as well. Cracks in the foundation, basement, and exterior walls of your home can be very inviting to the worker termite while he snitches around trying to get inside. Seal all of these crevasses well, checking during both spring and fall for new ones. Good ventilation through your attic and crawlspace areas will keep the humidity down, which is another key to effective termite prevention.