How to termite proof your home

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Termites are a dreaded pest for any homeowner. As a homeowner you will want to know how to termite proof your home and before those termites eat away at your home sweet home.

Before you can termite proof your home you should know what termites look like. Termites resemble a white ant with colony structures that are also very similar to ants' colonies. The main diet staple of a termite is the wood of your house. Termites can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. Most people will not know that their home has been invaded by millions and millions of termites until the damage is already done.

One of the first steps you can take to termite proof your home is to get rid of any decaying wood that is lying around your house. Termites love decaying wood and when it is near your home it can act as a conduit for the termites to get into your home. Firewood should be stored away from your home and should only be brought into your home when you are going to burn it immediately.

The next step in termite proofing your home is to check the foundation of your home for any cracks. If you find any cracks in your foundation you will want to fill those cracks as soon as possible. Sealing the cracks will prevent future infestations. You should have a cement foundation for your home, if it is a wood foundation or the wood is too close to the foundation you will want to get it replaced as soon as possible because it is a potential breeding ground for termites.

Creating a barrier around your home that termites can't cross is also a good way to termite proof your home. One of the ways to create a barrier is to put sand around the foundation of your home. Putting the sand around the perimeter of your home is very important if you have a lot of wood near your home. Cement block foundations can do well by themselves as a termite barrier but a sand barrier can add some extra protection. Make sure the sand layers are good and thick around the foundation. You may also want to reapply the sand barrier every few months if you live in an area with a lot of rain or wind.

Scheduling a yearly visit with a termite inspector is a very good way to help termite proof your home. The less time you allow the termites to create a colony the harder it will be for them to spread and wreak havoc on your home. The termite inspector will be able to see the signs of new termite infestations and help guide you in ways to get the termites out of your home. Termites breed quickly so you want to stay on top of any new signs that you have termites.

To termite proof your home you will want to take care and not plant anything close to your foundation. This can also include mulch as a plant material. Termites love eating on the dead plant materials and can eventually end up in your home. When landscaping your yard you will want to keep a safety margin of at least 18 inches between the foundation and any plants. While landscaping your home you will also want to make sure that the soil slopes away from your home so that the foundation is dry and not moist. Termites love moisture and the damp soil will be a great place for them to breed before descending on your home.

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