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Termite Prevention Tips

Termites eat wood and wood products. They do not distinguish between a rotting tree stump and your home. Termites are attracted to moisture. The best way to reduce the threat of termite infestation in your home is to eliminate the food sources and moisture sources around your home that might attract them. Below are some tips every homeowner can use that should make their home less appetizing to termites.

The Spectracide Terminate Killing Stakes are not recommended as sole protection against termites, and for active infestations get a professional inspection.

 

1) ELIMINATE SOURCES OF MOISTURE

  • Termites need water to live and are attracted to moist soil. Check for leaky pipes and sprinklers, areas in a crawl space or yard that stay moist for a long time, and ensure that water flows away from the home's foundation.
  • Check your gutters and downspouts. Make sure they are clean and provide easy flow of water. Direct downspouts away from your home's foundation.
  • Pay particular attention to areas near kitchens or bathrooms and attached porches or decks; and check for interior leaks in pipes or from roof damage.

2) ELIMINATE WOOD TO SOIL CONTACT
  • Subterranean termites live in the soil and eat wood and wood products like cardboard, paper and cellulose (plant materials). They often choose people's homes as their next meal. Eliminating access to food sources reduces the risk of infestation.
  • Check fences, stairs and trellises for signs of damage or infestations.
  • Remove wood piles, stumps and yard debris near your home.
  • Eliminate wood to soil contact wherever possible; wood should be kept 18 inches above ground level.
  • Never stack firewood against your house or garage. These "stair steps" provide the perfect entry point for termites.
  • Check for access points around dryer vents and air conditioner condensation pipes. This warm, moist environment is a welcome mat for termites

3) PRE-TREAT ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION

  • Whether building a new home or just renovating, homeowners should pre-treat during any construction project.
  • Check with the contractor for soil and foundation pre-treatment options.
  • Consider termite resistant materials (treated wood studs, drywall and joists), termite sand, or Termi-mesh (a termite-proof steel screen used in poured concrete slab foundations) as appropriate.

 

4) HAVE A REGULAR HOME INSPECTION

  • Certified inspectors can point out other areas that might be tempting to termites, and discuss treatment options for any active infestations. It's also a good idea to inspect your home regularly for signs of termite activity.
  • Use the Home Inspection Checklist to inspect your home now.

 

5) USE TERMITE BAIT STAKES BEFORE PROBLEMS OCCUR

  • The latest technology in termite prevention, bait stakes give homeowners a valuable way to reduce the risk of termite infestation. Now available in a do-it-yourself system, termite bait stakes use treated materials inside a plastic stake to infect foraging termites. Do-it-yourself systems are available at home centers, hardware stores, and mass merchants nationwide. Professionally installed versions are also available.
 
 
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