Get Rid Of Termites
The best way to get rid of termites is to never get them. Prevention is key to protecting your home from costly termite damage.
It is estimated that 1-in-5 homes in the United States are at risk for these pesky bugs, which cause nearly $5 Billion in damages to US homes each year. Unfortunately, if your neighbors have termites, your home is compromised as well.
With its wet springs and warm summers, Kansas is a haven for these minuscule pests. Their underground colonies can grow longer than a football field and up to a million termites strong. Termite colonies co-exist peacefully so it’s not uncommon for an infested home to be a meal ticket for more than one colony.
Many families are unaware of the common risk factors for termite infestations. Is your home at risk?
The 5 Biggest Mistakes Homeowners Make That Leave Them Vulnerable to Termite Infestation
1. STORING TIMBER OR WOOD NEAR YOUR HOME
Wood to ground contact is the most common entry point for termites.
Move stacked firewood and other wooden termite-treats away from your home and/or out of your yard for the summer. Put them in a finished basement or garage where it’s more difficult for a termite colony to infiltrate.
Monitor wood porches and decks for termite activity. Throw out any cellulose material you can inside and out.
2. FIX CRACKS IN YOUR FOUNDATION
Removing easy access of your home will make it that much more difficult for a termite colony to infest. Cracks in foundations and in window weather sealing can allow the minuscule termites an entry point for their colony.
Fill these gaps and seal water and gas pipe entry points to keep pests outside where they belong.
3. KEEP IT DRY.
Subterranean termites need lots of moisture to survive. Moisture will attract them to your yard and into your home.
Fix leaky outdoor faucets or hoses that may make puddles in your yard.
Watch for condensation around air conditioner lines and clean and maintain gutters to keep your yard moisture-free.
4. BARK MULCH IS A BREEDING GROUND.
If possible, opt for alternatives to bark mulch like sand, gravel, stone or rubber mulch. If you must have bark mulch, move it back from your foundation.
Gravel, though it can provide favorable conditions for termites, has been found to protect from infestation more than bare soil.
5.AVOID WOOD TOUCHING YOUR HOME
Branches are highways into your home, especially if they come into contact with wooden shingles or window frames.
Protect your home from termite infiltration by keeping branches, bushes, and mulch away from your home’s vulnerable spaces.
THE BEST WAY TO GET RID OF TERMITES IS TO NEVER GET THEM.
AMERICAN PEST MANAGEMENT, INC. RECOMMENDS SENTRICON AS AN EASY WAY TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM TERMITES.
