PREVENT TERMITES FROM GETTING IN YOUR HOME

Everyone has heard that subterranean termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage to homes a year, but did you know that there are some things that you can do to help protect and prevent your home from a potential costly termite infestation. 

Delaware homes, unfortunately, are considered to be at a relatively high risk for possible termite activity and according to the United State Forest Service and USDA, Delaware is listed in a moderate to heavy hazard region for Subterranean termites. This is due to the high moisture and humidity in the area and number of wooded areas that create the perfect habitat for termites. 

TERMITE PREVENTION

Below are some Termite Prevention recommendations to help keep your home safe and termite free. There may be additional preventative measures based on your specific home, location, and the conducive conditions on the property, so, it is important to consistently inspect your property and home for the possibility of termites so that the infestation can be addressed as early as possible. 

• Termites live underground and forage in a organized and systematic pattern to search for a wood food source from the ground up. Eliminate all wood to ground contact on your property that may be used as a direct “highway” to wood for the subterranean termite. This is especially important for any rotting or decaying wood since termites can sense some fungi (mood & mildew) particles at short distances through their antennas that help them to locate wood when foraging. Wooden Porch and deck steps should not rest directly on the ground if at all possible and we would recommend a concrete footing underneath entry steps between the ground and wood.

• It is important to keep all wood and other cellulose based materials away from the house including fire wood, wood piles, decorative ties, or trellises. These can be considered attractants of not only termites but other insects and should be kept a minimum of 20’ feet away or more from your house foundation. In addition, store firewood and wood piles directly off of the ground, preferably approximately 8” inches high or more to allow airflow and help eliminate build up of moisture. Remove any dead & decaying trees, tree stumps and rotting wood off of your property. 

• Termite activity and termite foraging has been found to be the highest when the soil has high moisture levels so the area around the house should be kept as dry as possible and have good drainage and grading. If possible, slope soil and flower beds near the foundation away to cause rain and water run off from the home. Make sure that irrigation and sprinklers are directed away from the home. Check that storm drains are working and draining properly and not blocked with debris. Foliage, vegetation, shrubbery and other debris or items should be kept a minimum of 12” inches away from your home. Routinely trim shrubbery and plants back from the house. This will help allow air flow, help the area against your home dry out quicker, and allow for a good visual of your foundation to identify any new termite activity. It is recommended also to keep mulch, that provides moisture and protection to termites, away from the foundation of your home.  Do not put mulch thicker than 2 inches deep (less is best), in order to help let the soil under the mulch to dry out appropriately. It may also be helpful to aerate & turn mulch, especially if you see any mold growing on top or that it is not drying out properly. Decorative wooden, railroad ties or boards near the home can also be an attractant of termites.

• Standing water in clogged gutters can be attractive to not only termites, but a wide array of pests such as mosquitoes, gnats, flies, carpenter ants and other small critters. Make sure to clean gutters regularly and remove all leaves, pine needles, sticks and other debris to help insure proper drainage. Improperly functioning gutters may cause pooling of water near the foundation that can lead to weakening and cracks in the foundation which is a common entry point of subterranean termites when foraging.  Sitting or pooling water from poorly draining gutters will also cause unwanted moisture near your house or even water seepage to under the home. Wood damage from the standing water in gutters can also occur.  Be sure that gutters and down spouts and splash blocks are directed away from the home.

• Since moisture and decaying and rotting wood draws termites as a food source, leaks around and under the home should be repaired immediately. Schedule or do regular maintenance inspections of your plumbing and HVAC to help ensure that everything is working properly and to find potential leaks, moisture build up, or drainage issues both outside and inside of the home. Be sure to check both high and low, from the roof to the crawlspace, when looking for potential wood damage. Check roofs for leaks or have a roofing company perform an inspection for you.  Check for any pipes that may show evidence of moisture or leaking. Check around doors, windows and exterior air conditioners for leaks and damaged wood. When making repairs, be sure to remove all rotted wood and replace with pressure treated lumber that is more resistant to rot and may help to prevent future water damage that attracts termites. 

• Crawlspaces are dark and warm, creating the perfect habitat for termites, and Delaware gets pretty humid during the hot summer months so consider using a Dehumidifier under your home to help regulate and keep humidity and moisture levels down. (Be sure to properly install and that the drainage from dehumidifier is away from the house.) Vapor barriers or moisture barriers in the crawlspace can be very beneficial at keeping moisture levels down. If there is sitting water under the house, it is important to determine the reason and eliminate. Keep foundation vents from being blocked to allow air flow and make sure that dryer ducts are directed away from the house. 

• For not only termites but for many other pests and rodents, it is helpful to seal up possible entry areas of your home. Termites forage from underground along the edges of house foundations, pavement, pipes, root systems, etc. and use moisture, temperature and shadows from above ground to help them locate a wood source. They will use sheltering mud tubes to search in areas above ground and are able to enter through areas as small as 1/32” inch, so even the tiniest of cracks and openings can be a potential entry point for termites. Seal around utility lines, electric lines, cable lines, water lines, gas lines, plumbing and pipes entering your home from the outside. Since termites are able to find and get through foundation cracks when foraging, it is important to repair and patch any cracks found in your foundation. 

INSPECT YOUR HOME FOR TERMITES

Regularly, and at least annually inspect your home. We would recommend doing an inspection of your home twice a year, in the early Spring and early Fall months. This will help you find any potential termite activity, as well as other conducive conditions such as leaks or moisture concerns around your home. During your inspection, Be sure to thoroughly check out all wooden and cellulose based items including your house, sheds and garages, any porches and decks, wooden swing sets, and all wooden fencing and especially any wood that sits directly on soil or is buried in the dirt.

Specifically search around your house foundation for evidence of termite activity and their telltale sign of termite shelter tubes. Termite tubes are made of mud, soil and termite saliva and are used to help protect them from a loss of moisture and from predators and to allow them to stay out of sunlight as they forage.

Don’t forget to check under your house, in your Crawlspace, for termite activity and termite tubes. (Remember to take your trusty flashlight to help you see all corners of your crawlspace). If you have regularly scheduled services for pest control, they will be able to keep an eye under your home for you during your regular services. Annual termite homeowner inspections can also be performed by Integrity Pest Solutions and are warranted against termite activity with a preventative termite treatment service. 

PREVENTATIVE TERMITE TREATMENT

Termites are often hard to discover due to their secretive and hidden nature and a termite infestation is often not found until possible damage to the structural integrity of a home, walls, floor joists, and sill plates has already occurred. Liquid Treatments around the exterior of your home offers a protective barrier against termite activity and prevents termites from getting in the home. Preventative termite Treatments usually last five years and are warranted with annual termite inspections. Integrity Pest Solutions provides Preventative Termite treatments and pre construction termite services that often gives piece of mind to homeowners against future termite infestations. 

Integrity Pest Solutions is your local, family operated termite and pest control company, serving all of Sussex County, Kent County and the Delaware beaches.