Termite Prevention Tips For Homeowners - Termite Awareness Week
Termite Prevention Tips For Homeowners During National Termite Awareness Week
This week has been declared National Termite Awareness Week and the Clark Man is determined to deny termites a reason to celebrate and feed on the wood in and around your house.
This is not the easiest task however because termites are an aggressive, relentless pest that feeds around-the-clock but often goes undetected since they enter through the soil or attic of a home. These “silent” intruders can cause significant structural damage to your home in just a few short years if left to their own destructive ways.
In California there are three termite species that can threaten your biggest investment. These destructive pests are:
- Subterranean Termites – Can be found in many areas of the state where moist soil is present; it is the most destructive termite species.
- Drywood Termites – Are very prevalent in coastal regions and in the Central Valley.
- Dampwood Termites – Found in the central and northern coastal regions.
If you have or suspect that one of these termite species listed here has targeted your home for their next dinner buffet, the Clark Man recommends you contact a pest management professional for a thorough inspection and review of treatment options.
Playing the do-it-yourself card with termites can end up backfiring and lead to unwanted headaches, hassles and cost a significant amount of money to correct.
In the spirit of Termite Awareness Week, there are steps homeowners can take to prevent termites from taking aim at their home and as the saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound or two of cure.
The Clark Man’s termite prevention tips for homeowners include:
- Maintain a minimum 12-inch vertical clearance between the soil surface and substructure wood in the crawl space.
- Identify and correct conditions that attract termites such as stucco siding that comes into contact with the ground.
- Use synthetic wood and non-cellulose building materials for fences, decks or other structures that come into contact with soil.
- Remove wood piles, untreated fence posts, tree stumps and buried scrap wood near structures.
- Keep wood piles off the ground to prevent wood to soil contact.
- Keep attic and foundation areas well ventilated and dry – excess moisture attracts termites.
- Use tight mesh screens over attic vents to discourage drywood termites.
- Repair foundation cracks and seal openings on exterior walls and soffits to deny termites easy access.
- Keep the exterior of your home well-maintained and sealed with paint, caulking or stains. Bare wood is attractive to termites.
- Don’t overwater your lawn or direct sprinklers onto stucco or wood siding.
- Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of wet leaves so moisture does not build up.
- Keep trees and landscape shrubs trimmed and not touching the house.
- Regularly inspect porches and exterior structural or foundation wood for signs of termites. If you see or suspect something, call the Clark Man.
Remember, if you have question on how to make your home unattractive to termites or if think your home may have termites, call 800/WE-NEED-YOU or drop me an e-mail at clarkcares@clarkpest.com
Until next time, I’m the Clark Man and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.