First remember that termites need two things to survive: water and wood. The places in and around your home where water and wood meet provide a thriving ground for termites. Remember that infested wood may look rotten. Here are some tips to keep your home safe.
Firewood should be kept away from the house. Store firewood outdoors until needed. Stack firewood off the ground and make sure that air is able to flow through the stack. Firewood must be kept off the ground because termites often live at ground level.
Sometimes termites are visible. If you find termites in your firewood, burn all the wood promptly.
Remove tree stumps. Termites often live in tree stumps even though you cannot see them.
Never allow vegetation to grow over your vents.
During renovations, never bury wood scraps.
Inspect the base of your home. Make sure cracked cement joints are sealed. Termites can gain entry through a crack 1/32 of an inch wide.
Do not allow moisture around the foundation of your home.
Make sure that your home is properly ventilated to reduce humidity in crawl spaces.
Make sure that water runoff is directed away from your home.
Clean downspouts and gutters regularly.
Plumbing and roof leaks must be repaired promptly.
Avoid all wood-to-ground contact.
Make certain that wood steps are off the ground.
Regularly inspect trellises, wooden steps and lattice work for termite damage.
Avoid attaching wooden trellises to your home.
If lattice work is affixed to your home, make sure that it is 6-8 inches off the ground.
Never allow standing water near your house.
Choose pea gravel or crushed stone over landscaping mulch. If mulch is used, keep mulch away from wood siding. Use mulch sparingly close to the dwelling.
Inspect dryer vents and air conditioner condensation pipes for possible access points.
Always pretreat prior to construction.
Remember that your weekly lawn maintenance time provides an excellent opportunity to keep watch for termites.
Copyright © 2007 Wade Young.
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