Research shows that termites cause a damage of over $1 billion every year in the United States alone. Such statistics indicate how harmful termites can be when they get into contact with property. Soil, wood and water are the three conditions that make termites to thrive. The best way to termite prevention is by eliminating all the conditions that favor their development.
Ways to effective termite prevention:
- Fix all the water leakage points in the house. These areas include both internal and external parts of the house. Water is among the three vital things that termites look for. They will look for water anywhere and if that source is only available in around the house, then they will harbor there. Eliminate leaks especially those that drip directly to the soil.
- Do not use mulch on plants around the house. Mulch provides food and water to termites. Since it is placed on plants growing in the soil, then the three conditions for termites to thrive are provided and therefore termites will infest such an area. An alternative to wood mulch is the rubber mulch which is available in the market. Rubber mulches provide the same benefits as wood mulches without exposing the house to the risk of termite infestation.
- When constructing any structure that will come into contact with the ground, it is highly advisable to treat the lumber that will be used. Treated lumber is not a guarantee to termite-free structures but it will provide protection to inner delicate structures. Making concrete floors to elevate the wooden structures would be an added advantage simply because wood will not come into contact with the soil. This is actually the best way for termite prevention in constructing structures for storage.
- Wooden material such as firewood should be stored away from the house. If they are stored in the house, then they must be placed a few centimeters off the ground. This reduces the chances of termites habiting on and around the wood.
- Drain all the stagnant water around the house.
- Remove all the vegetative growth around the house. Vegetative growth is highly moist and provides the necessary conditions for survival of the colony. Additionally, bushy plants decorating external parts of the house should be pruned to allow penetration of sunlight.
- Dead trees and stumps should be removed from the yard. In the process of rotting, they act as a magnet to termites. More so, old rotting roots close to wooden structures should be dug and disposed away.
- Ensure that the internal parts of the house are properly ventilated. Poor ventilation favors buildup of moisture hence attracting termites.
- Cracks around the house may provide passageways to wandering termites. Therefore, sealing them will assist prevent the possibility of any entry of termites into the wooden structures.
- Waterlines such as gutters for water collection and harvesting should have a clean passage. Debris clogging these passageways will attract termites as it avails the three conditions necessary for their survival.
- Ensure all your wooden structures are inspected for termites after short periods of time. Early detections can make removal of termites easy. Additionally, termite destruction will be minimized if detected early enough.
- In view of the fact that termites infest an area in colonies, the destruction they cause is massive. Therefore, termite prevention is the best way to deal with these insects to avoid losses caused by their destruction along their paths.
