In many parts of the country, termites make up a natural part of the insect population and activity. And when you build or buy a home that sits upon their space, you need to plan for dealing with them to protect your home against termite damage. Here are some recommendations to help you deal with a termite problem in your home and surrounding soil.
Treat and Maintain Your Soil
The soil directly around your home's foundation is a popular place for termites to make their home, and this makes it more likely that they will become a problem for you. Especially if your home's exterior is wood or there is wood surrounding your home exterior, this can increase the propensity for termites to take over. Termites love wood, and if there is moisture in the soil, it makes it even more inviting.
Contact your local pest control professional about a termite inspection and treatment. They will be able to inspect your home exterior to find where the termites are living and if they have set up a colony, so they can effectively treat the area to remove them. This is accomplished most commonly with a commercial termite insecticide, which will protect your home and get rid of any existing termites.
After your soil has been treated with a termite insecticide around the outside of your home, it is important that you don't disturb the soil. The insecticide will remain within the soil and will kill any termites, so you don't want to till it in or mix it around, as this will dilute and remove its effective properties.
Protect Your Home's Wood
A pest control professional will help you treat your home with a successful strategy to eliminate any existing termite problem. However, it is important that you follow their recommendations to protect your home from further infestations. Once a termite colony is eliminated, there are many more that can come into your home and cause further damage and problems.
If your soil is covered in any wood mulch, remove this before it is treated, because the wood will continue to attract termites. If you want to apply a protective covering on your soil, sand is a great option, because termites won't build tunnels inside the sand and they will not make it their home. This can provide further protection to your home from termites in the future. Your pest control professional can also set out baits around your home that termites will eat and take back to the colony to kill off the others.
For more information about termite control, reach out to a local pest control company.
Having pests in your home is more than just annoying. Many of the common pests that invade homes are actually dangerous. Rats can bite young children, spreading serious diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella. Cockroaches can spread E. coli, and many people are allergic to proteins in their bodies. Regardless of which pest is bothering you, it is important to get rid of it as soon as possible. Pest control companies can do a lot of this work, but it is also important to be informed. After all, you are the one who lives in your home and needs to take preventative measures against pests every day. Learn the basics here on this blog, and put them to use.