How To Prevent Termites

How To Prevent Termites

Termites can be a nuisance because they are extremely destructive insects and can destroy the inner parts of your building without your knowledge. Many people only notice termite problems when it’s too late, and the major damage has already been done.

Termite control begins as early as the planning phase of your build. When selecting materials for your build, it is best to go for wood that is termite resistant. If termite resistant wood is inaccessible or too expensive, there are still many measures you can take to protect your home from termite infestation.

Types of termite infestation

The first thing you need to know is the type of termites you are fighting. While there are up to 2,000 Termite species in existence today, only a few of these can cause damage to your home.

When you find a new site to build on or are buying a house, call in the professionals to do a comprehensive pest inspection. They will be able to tell you the kinds of termites you should be concerned about. There are only three main termite groups that you need to protect your home against.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are the most common species and live in the ground underneath and around your home. They find ways into your house via exposed wood in contact with the soil, foundations, and cracks in the concrete.

These termites build mounds and mud tubes from the soil making their colonies easy to spot. The best way to control these termites is to douse your building site with pesticide and carry out regular inspections especially after the rainy season.

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Damp wood Termites

Dampwood termites are attracted to wood that has a high moisture content. They are common in homes that have had long term water damage or have stumps directly in contact with the ground. These are among the stealthiest termites as they don’t build mud tubes outside the wood. Instead, they bore holes into the wood then cover their entry point with their own feces.

The easiest way to prevent damp wood termites from ravaging your home is to remove and control the source of moisture in the wood. If you have leaks in your roof or water piping system, make sure you seal them off. Secondly, replace all the damaged wood with termite resistant or treated wood.

Drywood Termite

Dry Wood termites are capable of spreading to every room in your home without having contact with the soil. They burrow in dry wood making tunnels in doorposts, furniture, and on rafters in the attic. These termites are best dealt with using pesticides, and you may need to fumigate your whole house.

While the three types of termites infest your home in different ways, your first line of termite protection is a professional inspection of your site. Early detection of termites can save you hundreds of dollars in repair bills. It could also help to study tips on how to detect termite infestation in your home.

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