Tips to help you prevent termite infestation in your home
When winter ends and spring starts, termite swarmers emerge from hibernation and start mating to create new colonies. The colonies are sometimes exposed residential property. The scary thing about termites is that it is possible to have them eat the home right out from under you if you do not take precautionary measures. When this destruction which includes eating wooden support panels persists, the structural integrity of the house is significantly compromised. Here are a few tips that will go a long way in helping you stop termites before they cause irreparable damage to your home.
Moisture elimination
Termites love moisture, as a matter of fact; they thrive in parts of the home that contain high moisture levels. To make your home less vulnerable to an infestation, you should eliminate any amount of excessive moisture from home. You can do this by removing any leaking water taps, pipes and AC units. Any water from the rain should be diverted using functional downspouts and gutters. When the home is dry, the possibility of termite infestation reduces.
Removing rotten structures
When termites infest a home, they start working on the structures which are easy to destroy. These include fascia, rotten shingles and soffits. After the winter or just before spring, you should do a comprehensive cleaning and repair around the home, make sure that you repair and replace all the parts of the house which are rotten. Cover up any parts that could encourage termites to hide and establish a colony.
Inspecting the home for mud tubes
One of the easiest ways of figuring out whether your home has termites is the presence of mud tubes. The best way to protect your home from such problems is to inspect the foundation of your home regularly for mud tubes. You should also check for paint that has started bubbling and hollowed out wood. There is also a recommended gap which should be left between the foundation and the soil to avoid termite infestation.
Other measures that will minimise the possibility of termites in the home is storing firewood far away from the main house. One of the essential things to note is that the moments that termites have infested your home do it yourself removal will not work. You are advised to contact a licensed pest control company to handle the extermination. Only a professional can locate the colony nest and use the correct measures to exterminate it completely.