Tips To Termite-Proof Your Home's Exterior And Yard
The National Pest Management Association says that termites cause more than $5 billion in home damage every year. While their damage can cause cosmetic concerns for homeowners, the main issue is the structural damage. Some termites wear away so many structural supports that some homes become uninhabitable until necessary repairs are made. If you have termites in your area, here are a few tips to termite-proof your home's exterior and yard.
Have a Pest Control Service Spray Near Wood-to-Ground Areas
Wood-to-ground contact areas of your home are places where the house meets the yard, such as porch steps, door frames, columns/posts, and deck steps/posts. These places act as entry points from the exterior to the interior of your home. They also provide easy food sources for termites, thus attracting more to your yard. Because you don't want to put harsh chemicals in your yard—and possibly damage your woodwork—it's a good idea to reach out to a pest control service who can spray repelling chemicals in these problem areas.
Clear Food Sources From Your Yard
Trimming branches and raking up debris not only makes your yard beautiful, it eliminates ideal habitats for termites. Do you have any old stumps or rotting wood in your yard? Termites aren't picky when it comes to their food sources. In fact, there are damp wood termites who will usually eat rotten or decayed wood. Subterranean termites will eat just about any wooden substance. You may want to use a stump grinder to break up old stumps and rotten wood and then you an easily rake up and compost the debris.
Do you have a fireplace and use firewood? While it's convenient to stack wood close by your house, it's not a good idea. Again, this creates another food source close to your home, and it makes it easier for termites to get inside.
Eliminate Moisture Zones
Termites will get very dry and die if they are in harsh sunlight for too long, so they love damp areas in your yard. Do you have any clogged gutters with leaf debris? This leafy debris can collect moisture and make an ideal habitat for these pests—and again, if they make their way into your gutters, they can make their way inside your home. Put on work gloves and have a friend or family member steady a ladder so that you can pick out gutter debris.
Also, take a look at your foundation and gutter flow. There should be no pools near your foundations that could attract pests. You may need to build up the soil and grading.
Lastly, do you have any window sills with cracks or warped slats? These areas can collect moisture—and, if the windows aren't caulked well, then termites can get through cracked frames. Be sure to re-caulk any damaged areas to seal up holes and replace slats that have moisture damage.
Reach out to a pest control service, like Good News Pest Solutions, in your area today for more tips.