Home or Hotbed?: 6 Things That Could Be Attracting Termites to Your Home
Every year, termites cause billions of dollars of damage to homes. Are you sending them the equivalent of a calligraphed invitation to dine on yours?
27/08/2021
Homeowners might unwittingly be
attracting termites to their homes like steel to
a magnet. Sadly, this damage they cause isn’t
usually covered by homeowners’ insurance,
meaning this less-than-proactive pest control
strategy is far from a victimless crime.
If you see signs of termites at your home,
your best bet is to
call in termite treatment
experts. With professionals guarding the
premises, you can prevent damage by eradicating
existing termites seeking vacancies.
Additionally, you can learn how to make your
home as uninviting as possible to these
unwelcome guests.
The six things that attract termites to your house
No homeowner wants to extend an open invitation to feasting pests, but if your home exhibits any of the following conditions, you could be handing these furniture-munching termites an all-access pass to your property.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises homeowners to make their property as unattractive to termites as possible. Let’s look at six potential termite magnets.
Warmth
Termites seek out warm habitats, meaning homeowners in warmer climates may encounter more termite infestations than those homeowners subject to bone-chilling winter storms. In desert areas with hot days and cooler nights, termites might scurry indoors looking for warmth.
Moisture
Moisture-ridden areas are also a hotbed for termite infestations. Humid weather and spaces in the home susceptible to water leaks, such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, may roll out the welcome mat for termites.
Wood piles
Having a pile of wood near your home for use in your fireplace or fire pit is convenient – for you and termites. Moving wood farther away from your house will lessen the risk of termite damage.
Clogged gutters
Cleaning gutters is a chore, but a gutter filled with leaves and twigs will attract nest-less termites and encourage these destructive pests to set up camp. Since they dine on a plant-based diet of wood and leaves and enjoy warmth and moisture, a clogged gutter is a made-to-order termite home.
Landscaping
Wood chips and mulch may give garden beds a beautiful, finished look, but those warm, moist pieces of wood near your home’s walls will attract termites to nest next door.
Dead trees
If dead trees or shrubs have taken residence on your property, purging this decaying plant matter is a must. Not only is it unsightly, but termites will come to make a meal of it.
Don’t invite termites to your home
If you see signs of termites or termite
damage on your property, don’t try to get rid of
them on your own. Instead, call a pest control
professional who can eradicate termites on your
property and help you keep them away from your
home in the future.
Your
property
insurance won’t cover termites, so ensuring your
home is inhospitable to lurking pests can be the
matter of buckling wood and structurally sound
hardwoods. Since termite damage can go unnoticed
until it’s severe, periodic termite inspections
should also be part of your termite protection
plan.
Wrap up
There’s not much you can do about the weather where you live, but by eliminating termite temptors, you can prevent these household pests from munching on your most significant investment: your home.