If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about termites until you see one. And by then, it’s often too late. Termites can cause serious damage to your home if they are not treated early. That’s why it’s important to know the best termite prevention tips and be proactive in protecting your home from these pests. In this blog post, we will discuss Sigma Pest Control’s top termite prevention tips and how we can help keep your home termite-free year round!
Why Termite Prevention is Important
As we mentioned, termites can cause serious damage to your home if they are not treated early. In fact, termites are responsible for billions of dollars in damages every year in the United States alone. That’s why it’s so important to be proactive in preventing them from infesting your home in the first place.
Termite Prevention Tips are Important Because...
Termites will continue to attack and feed on your home as long as the conditions are favorable. And the best way to get rid of them is by ensuring they never make their way into your home in the first place. Termites will not only cause damage to your home but also can
- Damage your furniture, carpets, and fabrics: Termites love to feast on wood, but they will also damage other materials in your home such as furniture, carpets, and fabrics.
- Make it difficult to sell your home: If you have termites, it can be difficult to sell your home because most potential buyers will want a termite inspection before they purchase the property. This can lead to a lower sale price or the inability to sell your home at all.
- Cause severe allergies: Some people are allergic to termite droppings and can have severe reactions if they are exposed to them. In extreme cases, this can even be life-threatening.
This is why it’s important to be proactive in preventing termites from infesting your home. The best way to do this is by following Sigma’s termite prevention tips.
Sigma Pest's Termite Prevention Tips
There are a number of things you can do to prevent termites from infesting your home. Here are our top termite prevention tips:
Make Sure there are no Water Leaks or Moisture Build Up
Moisture is one of the main reasons why termites enter your home. Any water damage that is present acts as an invitation for termites to come in and feast. Toilets, showerheads, and leaky taps are some of the biggest sources of moisture in your home. Be sure to regularly check for any leaks and repair them as soon as possible.
Other places that can lead to a build-up of moisture are air conditioning units and your hot water heater. If you have an air conditioner, make sure it is regularly serviced and that the drain lines are clear of any leaks.
Because termites are drawn to this moisture, it’s important to keep these areas of your home as dry as possible.
Don't Have Your Garden Against Your Home
Termites will often build their nests in gardens, so it’s important to not place your garden against your property. Instead plant garden beds and other vegetation away from home, at least 30 centimeters. You also want to be cautious about where you place your hose and other watering equipment. If you are heavily watering the area of your yard right near your foundation, then you are creating the perfect environment to attract termites.
Avoid Certain Types of Mulch
Next on our list of Termite Prevent Tips is to avoid certain types of mulch. Many homeowners don’t give a second thought to the type of mulch that they use. However, they should! There are certain types of mulch that termites are attracted to. Cypress and pine bark are two examples of termite-friendly mulch. So, if you have these types of mulch in your garden beds, it’s best to remove them and replace them with termite-resistant mulch options like gravel or stone.
Be Careful Storing Unused Timber and Firewood
Another termite prevention tip is to be careful when storing unused timber and firewood. If you have these materials stored against your home, it’s an easy way for termites to access your property. Instead, store them at least 30 centimeters away from the foundation of your home.
You should also avoid placing these materials directly on the ground as termites can easily access them this way. If you must store them on the ground, be sure to put them on a termite-proof stand or platform.
Don't Have Wooden Structures in Direct Contact with the Ground
Next on the list of termite prevention tips is to avoid having wooden structures in direct contact with the ground. This includes decks, porches, and patios. If these structures are touching the ground, termites can easily access them and start infesting your home. To help prevent this, make sure there is a gap of at least 30 centimeters between the ground and any wooden structures.
Declutter Your Home
Cluttered homes provide the perfect environment for termites to hide and build their nests. So, it’s important to declutter your home and get rid of any unused or unnecessary items. Pay close attention to any useless paper, cardboard, magazines, and newspaper that may be lying around your home. These items are a great source of food for termites and will only help to attract them to your home. If an area of your home has been impacted by termites it is important to make sure that anything stored in the space is not brought through to other areas of the house to avoid termites infecting any other areas.
And the Most Important Item on our List of Termite Prevention Tips... Regularly Scheduled Inspections
One of the best ways to prevent termites from infesting your home is to have regular inspections from a pest control professional. Sigma Pest Control can help you with this! Our team of experts will inspect your home for any signs of termites and provide you with the treatment options that best fit your needs. If you believe that you are having a termite problem give us a call today so we can get started on the solution right away!