It’s never a good day when you spot a termite in your home or on your property. One lone termite could lead you to discover a full termite infestation.
Is there anything you can do to prevent termites from entering your home in the first place? Understanding termites and why they come inside is crucial to prevent infestations. The following are five common mistakes homeowners make which could invite termites where they don’t belong.
Leaving Wood Building Materials in and Around Your Home
What do termites love to eat? Cellulose and wood. If you leave wood building materials inside or surrounding your home, this can offer a warm invite for termites to enjoy their ideal food source.
Be careful when storing these materials in your basement, crawl space, or attic. Termites will hone in on the food source and feel right at home feasting on wood materials.
Allowing Puddles to Form Near the Foundation or AC Unit
Besides wood, termites love moisture. If puddles form around your foundation or AC unit, this provides the perfect environment for termite colonies to thrive.
Fix grading issues to keep water flowing away from your foundation and eliminate standing water to keep pests from growing and thriving close to your home.
Ignoring Cracks in Your Foundation
Does a small crack in the foundation really matter? Yes. You may be surprised at how insects can enter your home through even the smallest of cracks.
Termites can fit through cracks as small as 1/32”. That’s as thin as average hard stock paper! As soon as you notice a crack, seal up any gaps in the foundation as well as the roof and eaves. Sealing cracks keep termites and many other pests from sneaking inside.
Not Maintaining Exterior Wood
Is the paint on your siding chipped and peeling? Are pieces of siding rotting away?
Remember, termites love moisture and exposed wood. Rotten and exposed siding is an easy invitation for termites to feed on and grow their colony. Keep your siding well maintained by replacing rotten boards and repainting when the paint chips or peels.
Ignoring the Warning Signs
Before termite infestations grow, you can stop them in their tracks by paying close attention to their entry points and warning signs:
Subterranean Termite entry points:
- Can tunnel through soil and mud to enter several feet above ground level
- Cracks in foundation, brick, or mortar
- Wood-to-ground contact (door frames, deck posts, supports etc.)
Drywood Termite entry points:
- Hide in wood crevices in your home
- Can enter on any floor in your home
- They dig a nest and seal themselves inside to lay their eggs
- Within a couple years, a colony can grow and cause serious wood damage
- Clear visibility of a termite or nest in your home should be dealt with immediately
Don’t make the mistake of inviting unwanted termites into your home. Contact the experts at Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control today for a full home inspection and treatment plan.
