Although termites may be small insects, they become mighty when damaging a home. These invisible culprits can do plenty of structural damage before you know they are around. Prevention is always cheaper than cure, and the first thing to consider is what might be appealing to these termites and encouraging them to make your house their home. This guide reveals 7 things that could be attracting termites to your house.
7 Things That Could be Attracting Termites to Your House
Excess Moisture Around Your Property
Moisture is one of the main attractions for properties around the termites. Subterranean termites, among the most widespread types of termites, prefer moist habitats. If there are wet areas in your home, such as leaky pipes, improper drainage, or condensation near the foundation, your home attracts termites. The fecal pellets of these pests are moist to facilitate the formation of mud tubes through which the pests move around.
To eliminate this invitation, look for any signs of a leak in your home’s plumbing system, clear your gutters, and ensure your yard has proper drainage systems. Termites are attracted to moisture, and a clean, well-maintained home is much less appealing to them.
Wood-to-Soil Contact
Termites are big fans of wood, and if your home has areas where wood is in direct contact with the soil, those are dream setups here. From wooden exterior siding to structural members and even a stump in your compound, termites use any wood-soil interface to get inside your house.
Limiting the duration of contact between wood and soil is a measure that needs to be taken. Wooden structures, including decks or porches, should be built one or two feet above the ground and from termite-resistant materials. Check the base of your house often for any areas that might be flawed and allow termites to access it quickly.
Piles of Wood or Firewood Near the House
Storing firewood near your home may seem like a good idea so that they are easily accessible at all times, but this means you are serving termites with their favorite meal of the day. This is because termites feed on cellulose, and since firewood is untreated, stacks close to your house make good appetizers for the termites. Once they get into this nearby wood, it will be just a short hop to the structural wood of your home.
The solution here is not complex but efficient. Store firewood at least twenty feet from the home, and it could be even better if placed a little off the ground or kept in a covered and sealed enclosure. This creates a physical barrier that reduces the chances of termites having their meals in your house.
Neglected Mulch Beds
While using mulch might give your landscaping a well-organized appearance, you should also know that this substance could accidentally attract termites. Most forms of mulch are derived from wood chips, which are particularly rich in nutrients for termites. Besides merely serving as a food source, mulch also locks water in the surrounding area, making the termites’ homes even more comfortable.
If you are concerned about termite threats, avoid using wood-based mulches or placing them near the house. Also, do not mound the mulch too closely against the stems, as this can cause it to accumulate too much moisture.
Dead or Decaying Tree Stumps and Yard Debris
Termites will find it very easy to be attracted to your house if you leave a dead tree stump or branches to rot in your compound. These pests feed on decayed woods, which have cellulose, and are very quick to adopt stumps that are left unattended and can lead to your home.
To make your property unworthy of hosting termites, there must be constant lawn mowing and clearing of the compound, among other yard maintenance activities. Fruiting bodies such as stumps, fallen branches or twigs, or any debris found on the ground that provides such food sources are cleared. Large stumps can be removed by hiring the services of an expert tree removal service provider.
Cracks in Your Home’s Foundation
Termites are proficient with the weaknesses they find within your home, and a fissure in the groundwork is an invitation for them. These pests can infiltrate through the narrowest of spaces and enter your home wooden structure where unseen and unhampered destruction commences.
If there are signs of small cracks, it is high time to check your home’s foundation and seal all the cracks. When filling in cracks and voids, use the most suitable paint sealer or simply glue around the utility pipe niches. Glue is a good option because it also forms channels for termites.
Cluttered Spaces and Unattended Cardboard
Termites are not only drawn to wood; they also eat paper products like cardboard. If your home is cluttered with cardboard boxes in your attic, basement, or garage, you’re giving termites a free bed to breed. Living spaces such as stores may create a perfect hiding place for termites away from your sight.
Remove the clutter in your storage areas and swap cardboard boxes for plastic containers that termites can’t gnaw on. But, if the stored items are moved and rotated frequently enough, termites cannot quickly infest the areas either.
Conclusion
Learning the factors that make your home attractive to termites is the first step in eliminating these pests. These steps include preventing moisture build-up, regulating the distance between wood and soil, removing unnecessary items from the vicinity, and closing small cracks. These steps go a long way toward preventing considerable problems in the future.
If one has any doubt or information about having seen termites, then it is advisable to engage the services of a pest control expert. The longer you wait to address the problem, the higher the risk and expenses for damages associated with an infestation. Houses are one of your most significant investments, and you need to ensure they are constantly maintained and watchful to remain safeguarded from termites. Big apple pest control is specializing in Termite Treatment so, choose them if you are facing termite infestation.
