You don’t have to be a termite control expert to protect your home from termites. If you really do not want to be bothered by termite problems, then you should try to prevent the problem. Do it yourself termite protection is your first line of defense.
Clear Your Area of Debris
One common sense do it yourself termite protection method is to simply keep your area clean. Debris made of cardboard, wood, paper or any other wood based items should not be stored underneath or near your house. Wooden ladders and wood piles should also not touch the sides of your house. These items may absorb or collect moisture and come into contact with other parts of your house. These wood based products are ideal initial food sources for termites from which the insects may eventually move on to your property.
Check Wooden Parts
Keeping wooden structures a few inches above ground would prevent termite infestation. This is a simple do it yourself termite protection pre construction tip. You simply have to eliminate wood to earth contact to reduce your chances of attracting termites. If you really want to have a wooden fence or trellis that touches the soil fully, then make sure that they are erected far from your house’s foundation or main structure. You should also regularly check trellises and fences for signs of termite infestation.
Eliminate Moisture
Termites thrive with moisture. You can help reduce the moisture in your soil and on the wood of your house by regularly checking the sources of moisture. Defective gutters; leaking faucets, pipes, air conditioning units; and sprinklers that are too near your house may moisturize the soil and wood enough to promote the survival of termite colonies.
Aside from checking for defects, make sure too that everything that has water and moisture drains away from your house and surrounding soil. This may include water from air conditioning units, sinks, dish or clothes washers and driers.
Keep Plants and Trees Away
Termite protection plan should not only be limited to the house but to shrubberies and to the garden as well. Plants and trees may offer both moisture and food to termites. If you should have plants around your house, then make sure that they are located at a distance from your house and that no branches touch the wooden areas of your house.
Choose Treated Wood
Use treated wood for the wooden parts of your home in order prevent termite infestation. Borate treated wood for example can help keep termites from eating up the wood.
Have Inspections
Just to be certain that your do it yourself termite protection methods work, you should ask experts to regularly check your property. Remember that even if you have been very cautious, termites are particularly stubborn and they may still get around your do it yourself termite protection methods. Actual infestations are also not easy to detect because you may not see actual termites until damage has been done. Let the experts take a look at your house from time to time.
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