Termites!
The name says it all. Nothing scares a homeowner more than termites. These pests are dangerous in every sense of the term. They are more than capable of eating away at the foundations of your home within months. They reproduce insanely, are difficult to trace, and can survive a nuclear blast as well.
For a homeowner being on the lookout for termites is essential. If you have a home in the block that has been infested with termites, you are vulnerable beyond doubt. This is why homeowners should be proactive when it comes to preventing the emergence of termites.
Small steps and strategies can help in preventing termites from gaining a foothold in your home. However, this requires you to be diligent and committed to identifying the problem and reacting accordingly.
How much damage can termites actually cause?
Many individuals and homeowners that do not take termites seriously ask themselves this precise question when they first spot signs.
To be honest, termites are dangerous. They can cost homeowners damages worth thousands of dollars within a year. Additionally, they can also become a major health hazard. Let us look at some of the major damages, termites can cause.
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Structural and Foundational Damage-
Termites can slowly eat away at the foundation of your home. They can destroy beams and wooden frames that hold up homes. Not only are they expensive to repair or replace, but their unsolid nature posts the termites eating them can lead them to collapse outrightly.
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Carpet and Flooring Damage-
Termites love carpet materials. Thick carpets have elements of cellulose in them. This creates a proper habitation for termites to prosper. They use the carpet fibers to lay eggs and multiply. They also use the carpets to start eating away at the wooden floors and damage them.
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Wall Damage-
Lastly, most homes have walls made of wood. In addition to eating away at the foundations and ceiling, termites can eat away at the walls of a home. This can lead to health and safety issues for all the inhabitants of the house concerned.
List of 5 Ways to Prevent Termites from causing havoc in your lives
1. Try to ensure Pipes are clean and not broken-
According to termite control specialists, these pests thrive in moist conditions. Broken pipes, especially in the borders of the home or in the foundation leak water. This keeps seeping into the ground and creates a favorable environment for the termites to thrive in. all the pipes in the house need to be in proper working order and not have any holes in them.
2. Stock Woodpile far away from the House-
Woodpiles are dense, moist, and wet most of the time. For our convenience, we usually stock them on the porch or on the walls of the house. This is something that should be avoided. Woodpiles are safe havens for termites. They can easily get an entry point into your home in this way. Try to keep the woodpile as far away from your home as possible.
3. Clear Dead Leaves, Mulch, and other Garbage regularly-
Every autumn a lot of leaves and mulch gather around the house. They clog up roof pipes, bush yards, and more. these become favorable breeding grounds for termites. You need to understand that the more cleanliness you have in and around the house, the more are your chances of keeping termites away.
4. Try to not have Bushes or Trees in Direct Contact with the walls of your house-
Many experts recommend that there should be some gap between the bushes, lawns, and trees overlooking the house and your home. This is important as it prevents or stops the conveyance or movement of termites and other pests into the home. If the bushes or trees get too big, it is best to trim them down at regular intervals.
5. Get Periodic Check-ups and Inspections done by Pest Control Experts-
Termites and other pests are not so easy to spot. They might get into your home and would have started reproducing, but you will fail to notice them. This is why the task of termite control should be left to experts. They have tools and equipment, that can help them detect the emergence and spread of termites. Once identified, you can exterminate them.
The Bottom Line
In this article, we have looked at some of the most important ways and means to check and control termites. If you want to know more or have any questions on pests, that you would like us to answer, let us know in the comments.
