Termites are one of the smallest pests to encounter on your property, but the damage they can bring is enormous. Proactive prevention is the best way to deter this pest from ever entering onto and ruining your property.
Understanding Termite Dangers
Small and tannish in color, termites come in two different varieties – drywood or subterranean. Both types can cause significant damage in your home thanks to their feeding habits on the wood that makes up your home’s internal structures and furniture. While drywood termites prefer feeding on dry wood and will tunnel through wooden areas leaving a hollow shell behind, subterranean termites prefer to feed on decaying or water-damaged wood.
The more termites that live on your property, the more significant destruction they will cause among the wooden structures of your home. Termites find wood and areas of moisture in Dallas homes appealing. A major part of the danger of termites is that these pests can infiltrate your home and chew away for ages before individuals notice that there is a problem – by that time, the damage is likely significant and costly to repair.
Signs that you have termites already working in your home include sinking spots in the walls or floors, chewing or rustling sounds coming from the walls, and frass (termite droppings that are very small and look like wood shavings) around baseboards or interiors walls. You may also find mud tubes leading from outside areas of your home up to the foundation.
Termite Prevention Tips
The best way to keep this troublesome pest off of your property is by following these termite prevention tips and being proactive:
- Address moisture issues and leaks inside and outside of your home. This will prevent termites from being attracted to the wood in your home in the first place and will deter subterranean termites, especially from chewing on damp wooden structures.
- Clear your yard of all debris, including organic debris such as tree branches and tree stumps. This will remove the factors that attract termites into your yard and can prevent them from eventually entering your home.
- Store all wood on elevated platforms at least eight to 12 inches off of the ground. You should also keep it approximately ten feet away from your home to stop termites from access either the wood or your home.
- If you have a garden full of soil that backs up directly to the wooden parts of your home, you should consider placing a barrier between the two. Stones, pebbles, or a small amount of gravel can work to stop the soil-to-structure contact that encourages termites to move into your home.
- Trim back branches, trees, and bushes, especially ones that hang directly over your home. The more shade around your home’s structure, the more likely you will get damp, cool areas that attract termites. Overhanging leaves may also clog up your home’s gutters, leading to pools of moisture.
Professional Termite Assistance
Eliminating termites by yourself can be a monumental task, especially when these pests hide deep in your home and can be challenging to reach. The best termite prevention and control comes with professional assistance from the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite. They will be able to identify the sources of your termite problem, eliminate all termites in your home, and get you back to living safely and peacefully on your Dallas property.