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 Termites
and other pests
Termites and other wood
destroying insects such as carpenter ants can do massive damage to a
home and greatly impact its value. In humid areas where termites are a
problem, it’s not unusual to find many homes that have been virtually
hollowed out, their wood siding turning to dust at a touch.
How do I prevent termite infestation?
There are many steps you can take toward
preventing infestation if you know what termites look for and take steps
to make your home less attractive to them.
Termites are ground insects that look for
habitats that provide food, moisture and shelter close to the ground.
Any place where wood meets ground qualifies, especially if the soil in
that area stays moist. Correcting this situation may require re-grading
to separate soil from any wood around your home. Since mulch and many
other landscaping materials cause the soil to remain moist, you should
make sure to minimize mulching around your foundation. Some experts
recommend mulching no closer than a foot from your home’s foundation.
You should also stack your firewood away from your home, preferably by
several feet. Make sure that gutters and downspouts are in good
condition and keep moisture from accumulating. You should also make sure
to eliminate any moisture problems in and around your home, especially
in basements and crawlspaces.
You can also hire professional termite
exterminators to apply chemical treatments that protect your home. Be
sure to find out how long the treatments last. The chemicals on the
market today generally protect your home for up to 5 years.
Do I
have termites?
Krause Home Inspection Service, Inc, can
complete an inspection of the visually accessible portions of your home
to help determine if wood destroying insects exist. We look for powder
post beetles, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, termites, old house
borers.
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