5 Ways You Can Use to Prevent Termites From Spreading in Your Home

Any homeowner can attest that termite infestation is devastating and causes thousands of pounds in property damages.

These pests live below the ground in colonies and like eating products made of wood such as paper, cardboard, furniture, and even the foundation of your house. Once they invade your home, it is not easy to detect them.

On most occasions, they are detected after they have done considerable damage to your premises and formed larger colonies.

Homeowners need to learn how they can protect their premises from termite infestation, which can result in severe damages that are costly to repair. That is why you should take drastic measures when you detect termites in your home. In this guide, we will discuss

• Five ways you can use to prevent termites from spreading
• Signs your home has termites

Five ways you can use to prevent termites from spreading

Termite infestation is a common problem with many homeowners. These pests are a bit tough to deal with since they go undetected until they start causing damage to your home. That is why frequent inspections of your home can save you lots of trouble.

If you detect termites in your house, you should take immediate preventive measures to curb them from spreading.
Below are the six ways that can help on preventing the spread of termites.

#1. Get rid of moisture

One of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of termites in your home environment is by eliminating moisture. Moisture is a major attractant of various pests, including termites. Termites breed on wet surfaces while dryness deters their eggs from hatching.

Reducing or eliminating moisture makes it difficult for termites to survive hence keeping them at bay.

Investing in a dehumidifier can be effective if you reside in a very humid environment. Also, during summer, you can regularly use an air conditioner to get rid of the excess moisture inside the house and maintain a cool temperature.

Further, to prevent these pests from spreading, you should fix leaky plumbing, dripping air conditioner condensation lines, and faulty gutters.

#2. Eliminate food sources

Cellulose materials are major food sources for termites. Decluttering cellulose-containing materials such as cardboard, wood, useless papers, and old newspapers in your home is an effective way of preventing the spread of termites.

If possible, replace the mulch with cellulose-free alternatives or set up a 4-inch barrier between your house and the mulch.

Also, reducing soil-to-wood contact in your environment can help. It is just concrete foundation should contact the soil, and the wooden siding should be at least 6 inches above the ground level.

Keep plants, firewood, dead trees, or any other material that can house termites a few feet away from your home.

#3. Home repair

Home repair is another effective way of preventing the spread of termites in your home. You should regularly check and repair the damaged exterior of your homes, such as foundational cracks, decayed or damaged roofs, or cracked walls.

Such impairments act as a perfect host for termites. These pests use such areas of disrepair to access the wood material of your home and cause damage. Sealing crevices or cracks forming on the foundation of your home deters the termites from spreading.

#4. Place infested items in the sunlight

If you find any of your furniture infested by termites, you can inhibit their spread by placing it in direct sunlight for a few days. The heat from the sun will kill the termites and help in drying out the moisture from the piece of furniture hence reducing the chances for re-infestation.

You can also do the same with all the pieces of furniture in your home to ensure they are termite-free. This prevention strategy is especially viable during summer.

#5. Call the professionals

If your DIY preventive measures are not stopping the termites from spreading, it will be time to call a certified pest control professional to get reliable pest facts. Also, such experts will help you in treating the existing infestations and addressing areas of concern around your home.

Signs your home has a termite infestation

There are a few signs that homeowners can use to identify the presence of termites on their premises.

• Hollow sounding timber

Termites consume any cellulose found inside the timber, leaving visible cracks on your wall. On most occasions, these pests usually consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin and papery veneer of timber. That is why when you knock any wood eaten away by termites, it always sounds hollow.

• Chewing noises

When your walls are infested with termites, on most occasions, the worker termites eating your woodwork are noisy eaters. They will produce quiet clicking sounds when they are munching your wood.

• Mud tube on exterior

Termites usually make tubes made of soil, and their dropping to provide moisture for themselves. These mud tubes are easy to spot because they are formed on the exterior of your walls.

Conclusion

When you identify termites in your home, it is important to use the above preventive measures to control their spread. Ensure you remove any water source by repairing your water leaks or sweeping your gutters to remove twigs and leaves.

Also, it is important to do regular checkups on your premises. In case termite infestation is high, seek for professional services to exterminate these pests.