Pest Control Resource Guide

Termite Prevention Around the House

Homeowners spend over $1 billion each year due to termite infestations and pier and beam homes are not the only ones at risk. Homes with a cement foundation can easily be infested, especially if the proper precautions are not taken. Take these steps to protect your home from termite infestation.

What You Need To Know

• Understand that it may be best to hire a professional. Being able to trust that the work is done correctly and with a warranty has its advantages.

Protecting Your Home From Termites

1. Direct water away from your home. Termites like damp soil, so make sure the grade of your lawn allows for proper drainage away from your house. Install gutters to direct water away from the foundation. Increase the slope away from your foundation if you have standing water near there after it rains.
2. Trim foliage so that it does not touch the home. If you’re planting new shrubs, make sure you plant them far enough away from the home to allow for growth and easy access to trim. Plant trees far enough away from the home so that the branches do not touch the house. Research what the maximum height and width of plants, shrubs and tress will be.
3. Maintain mulch levels below the cement foundation of the home. Mulch has wood components and remains damp for a long time after watering, making it a prime place for termites to visit. Mulch placed higher than the foundation provides an easy entry into the house for termites.
4. Stack lumber, firewood and other wood materials away from the exterior walls of the home. Rotting wood attracts termites.
5. Repair cracks and rotted wood on your home as soon as you discover them. Cracks allow termites easy entry into the home and rotted wood will attract them.
6. Direct the flow of sprinkler systems away from the home. Periodically check your sprinkler system to ensure that a sprinkler is not directing a constant flow of water onto your house. Constant water will rot the siding.
7. Place any deck support and fence posts next to the home on cement footings. Do not place wood posts directly into the soil.
8. Repair leaks immediately. Exterior leaks can cause rot inside the home’s walls or floors. Interior leaks from plumbing fixtures can create rot in cabinets, walls and on floors, attracting termites.

Tips and Warnings

• Schedule a periodic inspection of your home by a professional. If you suspect an infestation, call a professional immediately.