Top 5 Termite Considerations for Homeowners

Termites are nasty little creatures that can cause major damage. You can hire a professional termite exterminator in Anthem to perform a termite treatment like spraying a pesticide, but for true termite prevention, you have to take a proactive approach. Making changes in your organization, the way you clean your home and more can make a big impact on your risk of termites.

Here are the top five considerations for termites for your home:

Use Only Treated Lumber

Any time you build a new deck, add a porch or patio to your home, or even update your existing structures, you need to use treated lumber. This goes for anything that uses wood, such as railings, walkways, walls and more, but it is especially important for any wood that has direct contact with the ground.

Untreated wood doesn’t always keep termites away, but it is a lot less appealing to the pests. Treated wood usually has chemicals in it that keep the wood from rotting and protect it from water damage, which also makes it less edible for termites. In addition to using treated wood for your building projects, you should use concrete pilings and other raised supports to keep the wood off the ground.

Remove Wood and Organic Matter from around Your Home

Termites eat wood. That’s why they are so destructive to your home. They will eat the cellulose in the wood literally around the clock until there is nothing left. If there is wood near your home, they will be attracted to it, which could attract them to your home.

You must remove all brush that’s around your home. That includes bushes close to your home, undergrowth, tree branches, rotting stumps, and roots that have grown too close. You must also remove mulch from flower beds close to your home and replace it with non-organic mulch, rocks or another gardening material.

Keep firewood and lumber far away from your home, such as on a pallet near the back of your yard. Further minimize the risk by keeping this pile raised off the ground.

Eliminate Standing Water

Termites may be attracted to the wood, but they also need water to live. Standing water will attract termites and all kinds of other pests, so make sure there is no standing water around your home.

Take care of drainage issues in your lawn, get rid of bird baths, and get rid of any clutter that might be allowing water to pool. For example, you should not keep old tires or plastic containers in your yard. If you have to keep any items like these, make sure they are under a covered area so that they do not fill with water during a rain.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

When termites can’t find water, they can sustain themselves on moisture in the air. If your home is not properly ventilated, moisture can become trapped in the attic, crawl space, or other enclosed areas. Not only can the moisture in the air cause mold and mildew to form, but it can also encourage an infestation of termites.

Work with a professional to address any ventilation issues in your home for termite prevention. If you already have termites, investing in a termite treatment in Anthem will be ineffective if you don’t address the ventilation problem and other issues that helped lead to the infestation in the first place.

Regularly Inspect the Foundation

Termites like to come in your home through cracks in the foundation. Regularly inspect your foundation and basement for cracks, and seal any you find immediately. Even the smallest cracks can let termites in your home, so don’t leave any cracks untended. Use a high-quality sealant that will resist moisture and temperature changes for long-term protection.

Making these simple changes to your home and your routine will go a long way toward termite prevention, which will save you a lot of money and stress in the long run.

Varsity Termite and Pest Control can help you develop a plan for termite prevention for your Arizona home based on the unique characteristics of your property. If you already have termites, we offer options for effective termite treatment to stop the damage to your home. If you suspect you might have a problem, we offer a free termite inspection in Arizona. Call us today to schedule an inspection or to discuss your options for termite control in Anthem. We also help eradicate scorpions and other pests common to Arizona homeowners.

Published By:

Varsity Termite and Pest Control – Tony Kaufman

West Valley Location:

Office: 602-560-6021

East Valley Location:

Office: 602-757-8252