Termites are a pain for households in Australia. Experts believe that one in five homes can be infested with termites at any time during the year. One problem for homeowners is that they don’t get protection from insurance companies. Therefore, you can be out of funds if the termites cause significant damage to your home. In this article, we will discuss how to prevent termites in your home.
Why are Termites Such a Problem?
Termites are small ant-like insects that feast on wood. Most homes have a lot of wood in them, therefore termites see them not just as a good location for a nest, due to the warmth that can help with raising young, but also as a food source.
However, as termites eat, and they can eat a lot of wood, they can also weaken the structure of your home. In a worst-case scenario, they can make a home dangerous to live in as the home can become structurally unsound.
Fixing this can be costly. Not only do you have to pay to have the building repaired, but you also have to spend time removing the termites from your home. And this can be the most costly part.
Challenges with Removing Termites from a Home
There are several problems with removing termites from a home. These include the following elements:
1. Finding the Nest
One of the biggest challenges is knowing where the nest is. Some nests can be buried and hidden so far away that finding the next can be next to impossible. While you can try to follow termites back to the nest, this isn’t always the most successful option, the termites could just access a wall that is a walkway for them. Therefore, you can think you’ve found a nest, but it isn’t.
2. Killing Individuals Doesn’t Work
Termites live in communities, but it is the queen that is key to the survival of the termite nest. If the queen dies, then the next will die. But the queen will rarely venture out of the nest and is often protected by an army of her termite offspring. So it doesn’t matter how many of the termites you kill, if you don’t kill the queen, the nest will not die and more termites will just be there.
3. Killing the Nest Might Not End the Ordeal
Another problem is that killing the nest this year does not prevent another nest from forming the next year. If one queen thinks that her home would make a good site for a nest, then next year another one will do the same. Therefore, you’ve got to not just think about removal, but also about prevention. And continually apply these prevention tools. Which is why we offer restock bait options for our termite kits.
How to Prevent Termites in Your House
So, how do you prevent termites in your home? Here are some of the most common suggestions for you to try.
Eliminate Wood from Contact with the Ground
The first thing is to ensure no wood is in direct contact with the ground. Termite problems are often the result of wooden structures that touch the soil or other substrates. This provides the termite with easy access to the home and a source of food, moisture, and nesting materials.
Some of the common issues are those who have wooden door/window frames. For reference, it should be that you have at least six inches above ground level. Do not think that pressure-treated wood is not vulnerable, treated wood is still at risk.
Eliminate Moisture from Foundations
Termites are attracted to moisture. They require it for building their nests, drinking, and keeping their eggs safe in the nest. They are more likely to infest soil near foundations that are consistently moist. Therefore, try to divert water away from the building using gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks.
Leaking elements should be fixed immediately.
If you have any sprinklers or irrigation systems, you should orientate them to minimize water from collecting near your buildings. If you can divert water away from the foundations and use splash blocks.
Reduce Moisture and Humidity in Crawl Spaces
Building regulations call for specific ventilation for crawl spaces. However, that doesn’t mean that every home matches that. However, what you need to do is to reduce the moisture in the building cavity and crawl spaces. This is where termites are most likely to spend their time and build a nest in these areas. They’re also hard to reach and work in.
Adding more ventilation is one of the easiest options. You might need to regularly clean out vents.
Never Store Wood Near the Home
One of the biggest problems is storing wood near the home. Firewood or wood debris from the garden can be significant problems, attracting termites who will want to use the material for their nest. They can also provide a hidden entrance for the termites to enter the home.
Think Before Using Mulch
One of the big problems is that people tend to use things like mulch in their gardens to get an aesthetic appearance. While this can look good, it can also be a good way for termites to access the home. Therefore, only use it in locations that are not close to your home (or an outdoor building) and use only what is necessary.
While termites might initially come in on the mulch, it is not a good home or food source for them. Therefore, if they see that there is another better source of food for them nearby, they will move quickly.
Final Word: How to Prevent Termites From Spreading in Your Home: Tips to Keep Them Away
Above are the things that you need to know about how to prevent termites from infesting your home. With these tips, you can protect your home and not have to pay the huge repair bills that will come from the damage to your property.
