Termites

One of the most widespread termite species in our region and across the country is the subterranean termite. These termites have high moisture needs, nest underground, and live together in large groups. Worker termites leave the nest daily to forage for food to bring back to the nest; they prefer to invade and feed on decaying, wet wood. The biggest reason termites are so destructive is that they enter our homes without our knowledge, allowing them to silently cause damage to our homes for months or years without notice.

Leaky outdoor faucets, blocked gutters, and dense landscaping cause the soil around your home to be very damp, which attracts moisture-loving termites. It is common for termites to "break" into our homes and other structures while out foraging for food, moving indoors through cracks they come across in the foundation. Another common entry point is when there's wood on a home, making direct contact with the ground. Once inside your house, they will travel through its walls and under floors to areas of moisture. The wood near water pipes, windows, doors, vents, and drains is the most susceptible to termite damage.

Use the following tips to take action and prevent a termite problem. Create a crushed stone barrier between any soil and foundation. Never place woodpiles or construction debris next to your home's exterior, and remove fallen trees and tree stumps from your yard. Make sure gutters are working correctly, place weather-stripping around windows and doors, and repair leaky pipes and fixtures.

In the end, partnering with a termite control professional and taking proactive steps to keep termites out of your home is the best way to avoid the structural damage termites cause inside our houses.