Jun 20, 2017, 13:36 PM by Fred Speer

In many instances, there are no visible signs that your home is infested with termites. These silent, elusive insects – which cause more than $5 billion in damage annually in the United States – can go undetected for years in the soil adjacent to your home, hidden behind walls and in crawlspaces, and within other obstructions.

Preventing and eliminating termites requires special skills, including knowledge of construction features and techniques, to identify the hidden and often difficult to access areas where termites are likely to enter and establish nests.

Did you know that only 25 to 35 percent of the interior space of a typical home is accessible for termite inspections? Which means: In the remaining 65 to 75 percent of a structure, termites and other wood destroying pests (wood-boring beetles, carpenter ants, carpenter bees) can go about their destructive ways unobserved.

Having your home inspected annually for termites and other wood destroying pests by a trained professional, who knows where to look and what to look for, will provide you with the peace of mind you deserve.

Clark Pest Control’s termite inspectors focus their expert eyes on the most vulnerable areas of a structure. Forty percent of subterranean termite infestations originate at utility entrances through slabs, and at settlement and expansion cracks in the slab, so our inspectors will start at the foundation and work their way up, examining every crack, crevice, and potential termite entry point.

If our inspectors identify the presence of termites or wood destroying pests and organisms (e.g., dry rot and other fungi) in your home, they will first determine the source of the infestation and then provide you with treatment recommendations. They will also make recommendations for any necessary repair work for damage as a result of the infestation.

 

Termite Prevention Tips

In addition to scheduling an annual termite inspection, you can help protect your home against termites and other wood destroying pests by following the Clark Man’s termite prevention tips:

• Routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of termite damage and fill in any cracks in your masonry or concrete.
• Divert moisture away from your home’s foundation by installing properly functioning downspouts, gutters, and splash blocks.
• When watering your lawn, don't sprinkle stucco or wood siding.
• Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation.
• Trim vines, hedges, and other vegetation to prevent them from blocking vents.
• Remove old form boards, grade stakes, tree trunks, and roots near your home, as they can attract termites.
• Maintain an 18-inch gap between soil and any wood portions of your home.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house. Check it for pests before bringing it indoors.

To schedule a termite inspection for your home, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.