What You Can Do To Reduce The Risk Of Termite Infestation

There are many things that can threaten your equity and many circumstances that can lead you to take out a loan that leverages the equity you have in your home. Life has a way of throwing unwanted surprises at us and, when it does, it can leave us in financial ruins. Termites have the ability to do this. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to manage the risk.

Things You Can Do To Prevent Termite Damage

In our Texas service area, subterranean termites are a serious threat. These insects have the capacity to completely destroy a home. But not every home has the same level of risk. Here are a few factors that can put a home at greater risk. If you do something to counteract these conditions, you will reduce your risk.

• When gutters clog or break it can allow water to run down the side of a home. This moistens the wood exterior and leads to rot. While termites can feed on any kind of wood, they prefer wood that has been softened by moisture.
• When exterior spigots or hoses leak, it can cause the perimeter of a home to be saturated with water. This is attractive to subterranean termites. These insects require moisture to live.
• Subterranean termites come up from the ground to feed. If they come in contact with a foundation wall, they may create mud tubes in order to feed on the wood above those foundation walls. If the wood of a home touches the soil, not only does it make it easier for termites to feed, an infestation is a certainty.
• Mulch can be inviting to subterranean termites. It should always be at least 2 feet from foundation walls. It is also important that plants and bushes in mulch are kept trimmed. This will aid in the detection of mud tubes on foundation walls.
• Leaf litter and other organic debris can create conditions for moist soil and attract moisture pests like the subterranean termite.
• Any wood product that is kept near exterior walls will invite termites.

Subterranean worker termites can tunnel a great distance to feed on your home. Since they travel underground (subterranean) they cannot be stopped by anything you do around your home. The only way to protect your equity is to spot signs of a termite infestation before the damage is catastrophic. Here are a few signs to look for:

• Mud tubes on basement walls or interior walls are a sure sign of termites. Be aware that these will often be created in shaded, secluded locations that are hard or impossible to get into.
• Subterranean termites use mud to seal tunnels when workers accidentally breach the surface of a wood beam or the fascia boards on a home. This will appear as tiny mud spots.
• When termite swarmers appear, they are not usually the sign of an impending infestation. Swarms don't last long or travel far. They are more likely a sign of a mature nest on or near your property.
• In areas that are excessively shaded, or where the wood of your home touches the soil, exterior termite damage may be seen. This damage will look like trenches carved out of your wood.
• When termites feed on the walls in a home they will often feed right up to the paint. This can cause paint to bubble as though it is damaged by water.