Termite Prevention Steps for Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. Homeowners
If you do not have ongoing termite protection for your home, there are some steps you should consider taking to safeguard your home investment.
These prevention tips aren't easy but neither is trying to recover from the financial impacts of subterranean termite damage.
Do a routine check of your home
Early detection is the key to stopping serious damage. But in order to check your home for termites, you're going to have to get dirty. Subterranean termite signs are usually in dark or hidden locations and sometimes they can only be uncovered by literally uncovering them. You're going to have to go under your deck, porch, patio or stairs. You're going to have to go into crawl spaces. In these places, you may have to dig into the ground to find workers or you might have to use a mirror and a flashlight to search hard-to-see areas.
Address areas of moisture around your home.
Subterranean termites are drawn to moisture. Keeping your landscaping and perimeter dry can have a big impact on termite activity. Clean your gutters. Repair leaky exterior spigots. Trim tree branches to allow sunlight into shaded places. Put space between the plants in your landscaping to allow for good airflow.
Remove Wood
Removing wood and other potential termite foods from your yard is crucial to prevent a termite infestation. Keep in mind that anything that has cellulose can be a food source for these insects… not just wood.
Elevate firewood
The wood we use for our fires is highly attractive to subterranean termites. Always keep firewood and other wood material off the ground. This will prevent termite workers from having direct access.
Learn about termite swarmers
An important warning sign of an infestation is the appearance of termite swarmers.
These tiny black insects with their long white wings may appear on your interior or exterior walls. When they do, it is vital that you be able to identify them and understand what you should do during a termite swarm.
Termite swarms should never be shrugged off. If you see swarmers on your home, they are not likely the evidence of an impending infestation but rather a current and mature infestation on your property.
For more tips on preventing pest infestation this summer, see Crucial Steps for Preventing Pest Infestation This Summer.