Tips To Prevent Termites from Invading Your Home or Business

Termites become a real threat to property owners, especially in spring. The temperatures are warmer, and the minuscule insects emerge from hibernation to mate and establish new colonies. Any items containing cellulose, their primary food source, are at the highest risk of termite infestation.

The Cost of Termite Damage

Does termite damage bother you? Well, you’re not alone. Residential properties suffer most from termite infestation- with up to 600,000 homes in the US having to deal with variable degrees of termite damage every year. This runs into billions of dollars lost annually. You can avert such losses by implementing simple termite prevention measures for your home.

Businesses are no exception. Shipping pallets in warehouses, wooden cabinets in break-out rooms, and wooden flooring in some offices all attract termites. Without effective termite protection strategies, you can clearly see the risk in commercial properties too.

Subterranean termites remain the biggest pest menace in the United States. They can feed on the foundation of your home for years without being noticed. In most cases, termite infestation only comes to light when it’s full-scale and the structural stability of the building is significantly compromised.

Once these insects invade your home or business, their elimination is nearly impossible without the assistance of a pest management expert. Preventative measures are, therefore, the most cost-effective strategies for dealing with termites in your home.

Effective Ways to Prevent Termites From Spreading in Your Property

The cost of termite infestation can be quite stiff. Here are tips to help you protect your home or business against pest invasion:

1. Reduce Moisture – Subterranean termites thrive mostly in moist conditions. Measures of reducing excess moisture in the home, such as dehumidifiers and air conditioners, can help you to prevent termites from inhabiting your property.
2. Repair leaks – Decaying roofs easily let in water leading to moist walls. Basement leaks give easy access to the termites as they are closer to the ground.
3. Remove clutter – regular decluttering limits possible breeding ground for termites. Even after termite inspection, remember to discard old newspapers and worn wooden furniture.
4. Avoid direct contact between the soil and untreated wooden structures – using cement around systems that go into the ground or stones to prevent wooden materials from directly resting on the soil reduces the chances of termite infestation.
5. Treat wood – Borate is an effective termite repellant that will protect your home or business against termite attacks for years. Use borate spray to treat the wood before painting or priming.
6. Expose infected items to the Sun – Scorching sun kills termites and expels moisture from infected items, reducing re-infestation risk. This termite protection measure is most viable in summer.
7. Keep outdoor lights off – Flying termites usually swarm to well-lit areas in the nights of early spring. Switching off the lights and keeping the doors plus windows tightly shut prevent termites from entering your home.
8. Remove old tree stumps with termite treatment for infested areas.
9. Proper landscaping to ensure water does not accumulate around the foundation of your home or business.
10. Schedule regular termite inspections by a reputable pest control company.

Signs of Termites in Your Home

Detecting termite infestation early could save you thousands of dollars in repair costs.

Here are some of the things to watch out for:

• Wooden tunnels or swollen wood indicative of termite burrowing
• Termite mud tubes within the home
• Tiny wood-colored droppings common to Drywood termites
• Wings of flying termites or swarmers

Elaborate Termite Control by McDonald Pest Control

From Sentricom termite treatment program to tent fumigation, McDonald Pest Control utilizes modern methods to drive termites out of residential and commercial premises while limiting the concern of re-infestation.

For personalized termite control, treatment and prevention services in Pinellas, reach out to McDonald Pest Control today. Call us at 727-734-0963!