The Dos and Don'ts of Dealing With Termites

If you spot termites in or near your home, you need to act fast. Although termites won't cause significant damage overnight, once they become established, they can be very difficult to eradicate. But don't rush into attacking the termites. If you treat the problem in the wrong way, you might make things worse.

Treating termites isn't easy. The following do's and don'ts should help you to avoid costly mistakes when dealing with termites.

Do

Call the professionals

Treating termites yourself may seem like a cost-effective solution, but if you don't completely eradicate the termites, they may attack your home in a different location. Professional termite treatment focuses on completely eradicating termites. And if there is a nest nearby, a termite control specialist can use poison baits to kill that nest so that it doesn't bother you any longer.

Arrange for regular termite inspections

Even if your home has recently been treated for termites, don't let your guard down. Arrange for a termite control company to inspect your home at least twice a year for the presence of termites. A termite inspection can spot hidden termites.

Fix moisture problems that might attract termites

Moisture is very important to termites. Termites infest areas where moisture and wood is in abundance. If you have any moisture issues in or around your home, such as a leaky air conditioner or leaky pipe, fix the problem quickly. Otherwise, you may soon have a colony of hungry termites bearing down on your home.

Monitor your property for termites

If you have had termite problems in the past, you need to be vigilant to make sure they don't return. Inspect your property regularly to make sure there are no mud tunnels, which indicate subterranean termites. Also, check on the condition of wooden furniture and structural components in your home to make sure there are no hidden termites inside.

Don't

Expect one treatment to eradicate termites completely

Termite infestations often need follow up treatments. So don't expect that your termite problem will be gone after just one treatment. Getting rid of termites takes time and patience.

Store wood close to your home

If you burn firewood to keep your home warm during the winter, don't store that wood near your home. If termites infest your firewood, they may then invade your home. Keep firewood off the soil to prevent subterranean termites from attacking it from the soil. And store your firewood well away from your home.

For more information on termite treatment, contact a professional near you.

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