When it comes to protecting your home from pests, some commonly overlooked threats that pack a major punch, are termites.
And if you own a home in Ellicott City, MD, you may already be facing the repercussions of termite damage.
But before we talk about how you can protect your home from termites, let’s address this question:
What exactly are termites and why are they so harmful?
Termites are small, pale insects that enjoy feasting on wood, plant matter, paper, plastic, drywall, and more. In a termite’s eyes, your home’s foundation, your money, and even your clothes are just another meal.
If you don’t think that’s bad enough, it gets worse. Termites can actually cause extreme structural damage to your home in a matter of months, and they can completely destroy your home in about two years.
In fact, termites cause billions of dollars in home damages every year. That’s right – billions.
The one good thing about these creepy creatures is that they aren’t usually known to bite or harm humans. Of course, that doesn’t include the harm done to you when your personal items have been destroyed by termites.
Another thing you should know about termites: they love moisture. So if you give them that kind of environment in your home, they’re much more likely to settle in.
If you have termites, you may notice their droppings, which look like ridged brown pellets. You’ll may also see mud tubes on the exterior surfaces of your home and/or shredded wings near your home’s entry point.
Make no mistake – when it comes to termites, prevention and/or early detection is key.
With that in mind, let’s discuss several ways to keep termites out of your home so you don’t have to deal with the potentially costly damage they can cause.
1. Keep your roof in good shape.
Again, termites love moisture, which is why it’s important to check your roof for any damp areas and dehumidify as necessary.
You should also look for any cracks or broken tiles in your roof and repair any damage as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you’ll give termites an entry point, and they could be inside your home before you know it!
2. Check out your attic.
Attics are often full of completely exposed wooden beams – a feast in a termite’s eyes. And if you don’t go up into the attic very often, you may already have termites that you haven’t even noticed yet!
That’s why it’s so important to regularly inspect the wooden beams in your attic. If the beams feel spongy, you may have termites. At that point, it’s probably a good idea to get in touch with an Elliot City pest control team so you can prevent any further infestation.
3. Inspect all wood flooring and wood furniture.
That’s right – if you have wood flooring in your home, you need to check it for any signs of termites regularly. The same thing goes for your wooden furniture.
If possible, try not to bring any wooden furniture into your home. You can opt for metal or another material instead – anything that termites don’t eat.
But if you do need to have wooden furniture, be sure to keep it away from walls. That will make it a bit less accessible to termites.
4. Check on your air conditioner.
Your A/C unit is the perfect moist environment for termites to thrive in. Keep them away by ensuring that the moisture coming out of the unit is away from your home’s foundation.
5. Keep clothing put away.
Let’s face it. After a long, hard day at work, it’s tempting to throw your work clothes on the floor, change into pajamas or sweatpants, and head to the couch for some rest and relaxation.
However, it’s best to keep your laundry put away if you want to keep termites out. That especially applies if you have lots of cotton clothing – termites love devouring the cellulose in cotton.
If you must put your clothing on the ground, at least keep it away from your walls to make it harder for termites to chow down on.
6. Seal cracks in your home’s foundation.
The last thing you want to deal with is a bunch of termites entering your home from cracks in the foundation. But it’s likely to happen unless you take action.
Start by inspecting your foundation closely, and seal any cracks you find. Then, you should plan to inspect the foundation of your home regularly to make sure the sealant holds up over time!
7. Be on the lookout for leaky drain pipes.
A leaky drain pipe is a damp environment in which termites can live and thrive. That’s why it’s so critical to inspect your pipes regularly. If you notice any damage or leaks, be sure to repair them right away.
The sooner you take action to prevent termites from making your home into their home, the better.
8. Don’t store piles of wood next to your house.
If you do this, you’re basically telling termites, “Hey, here’s dinner! And when you’re done eating, why don’t you come into my home for more snacks?”
So, store any wood far away from your home, and make sure it’s elevated off of the ground. Otherwise, you’ve just got a tasty termite treat laying around in your yard.
9. Avoid using cardboard boxes.
Termites love to eat cardboard, so opt for plastic storage boxes instead. That especially applies if you’re going to be storing a lot of stuff in your attic, which is already a popular hangout place for termites!
Do you think termites have already invaded your home?
Call your Ellicott City pest control team today!
We’ll send out our team of termite control experts to assess your home for any damage.
Not only that, we’ll provide peace of mind by helping you come up with an effective solution for getting rid of your termite problems and make sure they don’t return!
