Termite infestations can be devastating to a building. Depending on the species, infestations can start small and grow exponentially, causing significant damage to a home. It’s important to understand the factors that contribute to termite infestations and what can be done to address or remove these factors.
Outdoor factors
There are three main outdoor factors that can attract termites: firewood, mulch, and tree stumps. These factors all have the common trait of being made of dead wood and being susceptible to damage from the elements, particularly rain. To prevent termites from being attracted to firewood, it should be stored as far away from the home as possible, on a platform a few inches off the ground, and under a cover to protect it from rain. Mulch should be used away from the home to avoid attracting subterranean termites, and tree stumps should be removed, especially if they are near a building.
Indoor factors
Termites are drawn to spaces in the home that are high in humidity. The basement and crawl space are particularly at risk and should be properly ventilated to avoid an infestation. Leaky pipes and clogged gutters can also raise the humidity levels of wood, creating conditions conducive to infestation. Of all the factors that can lead to a termite infestation, indoor factors are the most dangerous and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Preventing and removing infestations
To prevent termite infestations, it’s important to minimize factors that attract termites. However, this may not always be enough. Chemical barriers and baiting stations can be used to reduce the risk of subterranean termite infestations to zero, but the home will still be at risk of drywood and dampwood termite infestations. To have the best chance of minimizing damage from an infestation, it’s recommended to hire a pest control company to perform an inspection on a yearly basis.
In terms of control, it’s usually best to work with a professional who can use various methods depending on the species responsible for the infestation and the nature of the infestation itself. For example, a small drywood termite infestation can be treated using a localized treatment, while a large dampwood termite infestation may require fumigating the entire home.
For more information on how to reduce the risk of a termite infestation, or if you have an infestation that needs to be removed, contact us today and one of our team members will help you out.
