Every year, termite infestation in the United States costs thousands of dollars in structural and property damage. The actual extent of the damage depends on the size of the colony, type of termite, and the food sources present inside and around the house.
Once the termite has infested a home, it is costly and difficult to exterminate them. Moreover, the damage done to the foundation of the house or the furniture inside can cost top dollars for the property owners.
A colony of termites can cause extensive damage in just about six months after infestation. In warmer climates, the colony can infest and ravage through the wooden structures even more quickly. That’s why it’s important that you identify and exterminate termites from the house as early as possible. In this blog posts, we’ll review some tips to termite-proof your home.
How do you know if you have a termite infestation?
The most common type of termite in the US is the subterranean termite that builds mud tunnels from the ground towards the food source. Other less common type includes dry wood termites, damp wood termites, Formosan termite, and conehead termites. All of these termites can do major damage to the property.
The foremost thing that you can do to avoid termite damage is to keep a look out for termites. The earlier you detect and remove the termites from the house, the less will be the damage. Consider probing exposed wood using a screwdriver or other similar tool. If you detect hollow spots in the woods, a termite colony might have invaded your house.
Of course, the best way to know for sure if you have a termite inspection or not is to call the team at Arizona’s Best Pest & Termite Services. We offer free in-home termite inspections.
Apart from keeping an eye for the termites, you can also take certain steps to prevent the natural pests from invading your home.
1. Termite-proof your home foundation
When constructing the home, you should ask the constructor to use a concrete foundation and leave a space between the wood and the soil. Also, it’s important that the exposed wood surfaces should be covered with a metal barrier or sealant to prevent termite infestation.
2. Keep the soil around the foundation dry
Another important tip to prevent termite infestation is to keep the soil around the house dry. The house exterior can act as a portal through which the termites can invade your house. Proper drainage and grading can prevent moisture around the house thereby preventing a termite infestation. Also, you should consider maintaining the downspouts and the gutters to termite-proof the house.
3. Maintain your roof tiles
Broken roof tiles can also act as a gateway for the termites to enter the house. You should check the roof and repair any cracked or broken roof tiles. Also, you should take measures to keep the roof dry to avoid termite infestation.
4. Confirm that your air conditioner is properly placed
Termites are attracted to the moisture released by the air conditioner. To avoid termite infestation, you should consider putting the air conditioner unit away from the foundation of the house. This will prevent the termites from making a meal of the wooden items inside or outside the house.
Call Arizona’s Best Choice for more professional advice to termite-proof your home
For more information on how to reduce the chances of termite infestation in Phoenix, AZ, you can contact Arizona’s Best Choice Pest & Termite Services.
[1].jpg)
