The importance of termite prevention in every home cannot be overstated. Neglect in preventing termite infestation can lead to costly and serious damage to any house or building. It is a huge mistake to assume that termites will not be a problem. Below are some helpful tips in termite prevention that you may want to consider. Read on to learn how to help prevent termites from taking up residence in your home.
Preventive measures prior to construction
The best means of preventing termites is to start before your home is even built. Prevention begins at the planning stage. Basaltic Termite Barriers (BTB) are tightly packed rock particles that prevent termites from entering the house. Termite mesh, a stainless steel mesh screen with small holes, also prevent termites from passing through. This mesh is recommended for problem areas like cold joints in the concrete.
A poured concrete foundation is the hardest barrier as long as it does not have any cracks. Cracks in your foundation and various structural issues allow termites easy access. Foundations made of bricks and blocks do develop cracks with time, and so a four-inch solid concrete support capping is recommended. Steel frames, termite-resistant heartwood and pressure-treated wood are also highly recommended.
How to prevent termites in existing homes
In houses that are already standing, there are several recommendations. First, remember to reduce all wood-to-soil contact. All wood, lumber, plants, cardboard, paper, mulch, and the like must be removed from contact around your foundation. There should be a four-inch barrier between your home and mulch.
If at all possible, only your house’s concrete foundation should be touching the soil, and with the siding being at least six inches above the ground. One of the best preventive methods is to keep plants at least a few feet away from the house.
Also, make sure that storm drains empty at least a few feet away from your foundation, and that you have effective soil drainage to minimize soil from becoming too moist. Leaky faucets should be fixed and good plumbing should be maintained. Prevent moisture buildup, because this creates ideal conditions for termites to mount an invasion.
During termite swarming season (as ambient temperatures increase after winter), keep in mind to turn outdoor lights off at night. You may also consider relocating your lights away from windows and doors and keep them in recessed areas. This prevents swarmers from being attracted to openings in your home, as they are attracted to light.
Signs of termite presence
“Frass” and ‟carton” are waste materials of dry wood and subterranean termites, respectively, and are signs of their presence. You can determine the kind of termite you are dealing with by the patterns they create in wood. Specifically, subterranean termites consume the softwood in between the grains; in contrast, dry wood termites consume the wood across the grain without any patterns.
Blistering may appear in sheetrock if termites have fed and invaded it. Another sign of termite activity is the presence of mud tunnels, which help termites avoid the sunlight, control their moisture, and protect themselves as they search for areas to invade.