- Don't affix wooden trellises to exterior walls.
- Keep mulch, wood debris, scrap lumber, sawdust, and firewood away from buildings.
- Don't bury wood debris near your home.
- Remove infested trees and stumps.
- Repair leaking faucets and water lines, both indoors and outdoors.
- Fix leaky roofs and gutters.
- Don't allow leaves to accumulate in gutters or drains.
- Grade soil so that water (including air conditioning condensate) runs away from foundations.
- Ventilate crawl spaces and attics to reduce humidity.
- Cover at least 90% of the soil in crawl spaces with plastic sheeting.
- Make sure wood siding, stucco, and foam board are at least six inches away from the ground.
HOW TERMITES GET IN
Once termites have discovered your house, they will search it for food - wood fiber. They will squeeze through cracks as narrow as the thickness of a sheet of paper. Expansion joints, foundation cracks, tiny gaps around plumbing, and electrical service entries are all opportunities for termites to enter your home. In homes with basements, they can enter where the floor and walls meet, and through small openings in the walls themselves
LOOK FOR SIGNS
Termites often leave some evidence of their presence. Look for small holes in wood, crumbling drywall, or sagging doors or floors. Insect wings are another sign, as termites shed their wings when they swarm.
Look, too, for the shelter tubes termites build to serve as their passageways across masonry or along pipes. Termites often leave some evidence of their presence. Look for small holes in wood, crumbling drywall, or sagging doors or floors. Insect wings are another sign, as termites shed their wings when they swarm. Look, too, for the shelter tubes termites build to serve as their passageways across masonry or along pipes.
Keep in mind, though, just because you don't see any termites or termite damage, that doesn't necessarily mean they're not there. That's why it's important to have a professional inspection of your home to ensure it's termite-free.
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