Preventing Termites in Your Home: Tips and Tricks for Homeowners

What are termites looking for?

In the simplest terms, termites eat wood– so the wooden framework of your house is what they’re after.

There are a couple of different types of termites that live in the United States (and actually, there are about 2,500 total species of termites worldwide!)

The two types of termites that are most typically a problem in the United States are subterranean termites and drywood termites.

These two species enter the home in different ways– subterranean termites live underground, so they come into contact with your home’s structure from underground. Drywood termites build their colonies within the wood of your home itself, so once they find their way inside, they are very unlikely to leave on their own.

Finding wood to eat is their main objective, but they also need moisture to survive. This means that any unnecessary moisture around your home could make it look like a more appealing environment to a termite colony searching for a home.

Even the moisture from a leaky air conditioning unit could be enough to attract termites to your home.

Additionally, any extra wood around your home or property could serve as bait for hungry termites. This might include piles of firewood, dead trees, or discarded lumber from home improvement projects.

Surveying your home and property to remove or properly store any excess moisture or wood can be a great way to keep termites and other pests away from your property.

What can I do to keep termites out of my house?

Termites that live underground (aka subterranean termites) will enter your house through any exposed wood in the foundation. Any part of your home’s foundation that’s made from wood and is directly touching the soil serves as an open invitation for subterranean termites.

If you can, try to ensure that there isn’t any wood directly touching soil in your home.

This includes wood from porches or decks that have been added onto the home! Even wood siding can attract subterranean termites– so if your home’s covered in wood siding, try to ensure that it starts at least six inches away from the ground.

Any shrubs or trees that are directly touching your home can also give termites and other insects easy access to your home, so you should try to make sure that there’s at least a foot of space between trees and shrubs and your home’s roof or walls.

While this isn’t as easy to do for homes that are already constructed, it’s recommended that all new construction homes being built receive a pre-treatment to all wooden framework to repel termites.

What should I do if I notice a termite infestation?

 A quick search online will turn up some DIY termite remedies, but it’s important to remember that these only work on a surface level. No essential oil blend will be able to penetrate the structural timber of your home, especially without the knowledge and equipment that pest control professionals have.

If you have or even suspect that you might have a termite problem, you should call a pest control company, like the experts here at West, as soon as possible. Remember, the longer you wait, the more damage those critters can do to your home!