Effective Tips to Keep Termites Away from Your Home

You build your dream house, take care of it, and one fine day, you discover it is being destroyed from within. An army of tiny, soundless invaders has descended on your house, ripping it apart. Having termites in your home is the stuff of nightmares. Every year, termites inflict a whopping $5 billion-plus worth of property damage in the United States. What's worse? Most house insurance does not provide coverage for termite-inflicted damage.

But here's the good news: you can keep termites away with the right knowledge and prevention steps.

In this blog, we'll walk you through smart, effective, and easy-to-follow tips on how to keep termites away from your house foundations, walls, and everything in between.

Why Are Termites So Dangerous

Termites are nicknamed "silent destroyers" for good reason. These pests feed on wood and other materials, leaving little to no clue of their sinister presence. Termites conduct their destructive work quietly for so long that the damage becomes obvious only after the wooden structure has hollowed out completely.

The subterranean termite lives in gigantic colonies underground that can totally wreck house foundations if people do not find out about their presence and implement effective measures.

Always remember that a preemptive strategy provides the strongest protection against termites. Now, let's discuss some simple yet effective strategies for keeping termites away. 

Keep Moisture In Check

Termites love moisture and thrive under damp conditions. Just like we love a hot mug of coffee on cold mornings, termites are drawn to moisture and humid environments. Don't create their ideal environment if you want to keep termites away from your home.

Tips To Reduce Moisture

• Deal with all leaking faucets, pipes, and AC pipes. Don't keep them dripping. 

• Maintain clean gutters and proper downspouts to prevent water from entering the house.

• Use a dehumidifier in your basement or crawl space to keep it dry.

• Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and attics must have sufficient ventilation systems in place.

When your home remains dry, termites find it significantly harder to survive.

Store Wood Away From The House

Placing your woodpile close to your house is an open invitation to termites. Wood in proximity to your house gives termite invaders a heartfelt welcome.

How To Store Wood Properly

• Household firewood should be stored 20 feet away from the house. 

• Store it on an elevated platform so it doesn't come into contact with the ground or the termites. 

• Avoid storing wooden materials in crawlspaces and under decks.

These small changes can go a long way in keeping termites from sneaking into your homes.

Seal All Entry Points

Termites are tiny but persistent. They manage to infiltrate through extremely tiny openings.

Where To Look

• Cracks in your home's foundation.

• Gaps around utility lines.

• Spaces around windows and doors.

• Use caulk or sealants to cover these access points. 

These preventive measures will go a long way toward termite-proofing your home. 

Get Regular Inspections

The proper inspection of homes for termite activity must occur annually, especially if you live in areas prone to termite activity, such as Texas and Florida. Early detection of termites will help contain them effectively before they spread and cause more damage.

Selecting The Right Company

Select companies that perform inspections using visual inspection techniques in combination with infrared or moisture meter tools to boost their accuracy levels.

Use Termite-Resistant Materials

The construction or renovation process should include termite-resistant building materials in the design. 

Alternatives To Consider

• Pressure-treated wood, concrete, and steel framing materials can adequately replace standard lumber to keep termites away from the home foundation.

• Wood treated with borate-based solutions becomes toxic to termites without harming people or pets living there.

This proactive approach makes it easier to keep termites away in the long term.

Don't Let Mulch Touch The Ground

Mulch keeps your garden healthy but retains moisture while offering an ideal environment for termites.

Use Mulch Wisely

• Place the mulch block at least six inches away from the house foundation.

• Select rubber mulch or gravel as an alternative material for external areas.

• Do not pile it more than 2-3 inches deep.

• A small change provides a smart alternative for termite control.

Watch For Early Warning Signs

Early detection is key. Here's what to look for:

• Mud tubes along walls or foundations.

• Discarded wings near windowsills.

• Hollow-sounding wood.

• Irregular water stains on walls and other areas. 

The appearance of any of these indicators requires professional intervention.

Create A Termite Barrier

As a post-treatment measure, a physical or chemical barrier can be installed during home construction or after it has been built.

Some Options Include the following:

• Ensure the soil grade slopes away from the home to avoid water accumulation.

• Soil remedies in liquid form that stop or eliminate termite infestation

• Place bait systems around the perimeter of the house. 

• Use stainless steel mesh or sand barriers beneath foundations.

These systems act like invisible shields, helping to keep termites away without you lifting a finger.

How To Keep Termites Away From House Foundations

Your home foundation is the most exposed area in your property. Here's how to protect it:

• A proper sinking grade should be positioned to direct groundwater away from your house to prevent standing water.

• Do not use wooden planters and decks that touch the ground. 

• Apply a perimeter termite treatment around your house's foundation.

These prevention measures enable you to circumvent termite attacks.

Final Thoughts

Termites operate secretly, but homeowners have the means to defeat them. With the right habits, materials, and professional help, you can confidently keep termites away and protect your biggest investment: your home.

Termite control requires continuous attention because it does not end with a single intervention or treatment. To prevent termites, monitoring procedures with scheduled inspections and efficient home maintenance practices should be included.

Worried about termites? Waiting until the damage is done is not wise. Bryan & Bryan Inspections enables you to uncover termite problems early, before taking immediate and corrective measures. Our expertly certified inspectors know the proper locations to inspect and have the necessary detection skills to unearth termites hiding in inaccessible areas.

Book your inspection with Bryan & Bryan Inspections today, and take the first step to keep termites away for good.