How to Prevent a Termite Infestation in Your Home

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When you became a homeowner, you knew there was a lot you had to prepare yourself for, and a termite infestation is just one of them. Rather than learn to recognize the signs of a termite infestation, you’re much better off learning how to prevent termites in the first place. Use these tips and the assistance of a professional termite home inspection to keep your home from being eaten away from top to bottom. 

Take Proper Care of Your Soil

Because termites make their colonies underground, you’ll want to pay especially close attention to your property’s soil. For instance, should you ever have scrap wood or waste lumber, you don’t want to bury it in your yard, since it’s likely to attract termites. It’s also best that you gather up and throw away all decaying vegetation, twigs, branches and the like from your yard before they have a chance to break down and attract termites. If you use mulch in your soil, do so well away from the walls of your home. Even if termites feed on the wood and moisture in the mulch, they’re less likely to move on to your home next if you use mulch far away from the perimeter of your property.

Pay Attention to Your Home’s Exterior

Moving on from your soil, the condition of your home’s exterior also plays a part in your chances of being infested by termites. Any tiles on your roof that are broken can easily become a source of moisture and attract termites. You can either climb up on your roof yourself and check for broken tiles that need to be repaired, or you can leave the job to a professional roofing company instead. You should also keep an eye out for leaks and other moisture problems on your roof and address them with a dehumidifier or other similar means.

Your air conditioning unit can also lure termites to make themselves at home in your home. Keep a close eye on your unit’s moisture release to ensure it’s positioned away from the foundation of your property, much like you would with mulch.

Lay Down the Proper Foundation to Prevent Termites in the Future

Maybe your home hasn’t been built yet and you want to get a head start on heading a termite disaster off at the pass. Know that you can put down a basaltic termite barrier of tightly-packed particles of rock that keep termites from passing through to gain access to your property. Termite mesh is another option to put to good use. This mesh has small holes that can be wrapped around cold concrete joints and other similar areas to keep termites out. It’s best to use termite-resistant heartwood, pressure treated wood and steel frames to prevent termites, and the same applies to a poured concrete foundation that’s free of cracks.

Mind Your Kitchen

Pay close attention to your kitchen as well in your efforts to keep termites off your property and out of your hair. The reason where you cook and eat is such a hotspot for potential termite infestations is because of the many entry points and food sources for termites. The beginning of the spring season is when termites often swarm to make themselves a new home, which is why you’ll need to keep the doors and windows of your kitchen shut when the weather starts to warm. All leaky interior and exterior pipes should be dealt with ASAP to keep from providing termites with a source of water. Kitchens with wooden cupboards should be well-inspected at least once a year for signs of a potential infestation. If you suspect anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pest control expert to help you plan your next step.

Termites are the last thing you want to deal with during your time as a homeowner. Make sure you don’t put down an accidental welcome mat by putting these tips to good use.