Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage a year in the United States, according to the National Pest Management Foundation, making these pesky insects even more of a threat to wood-based structures than fire, flood, or wind. Yet, many home owners know very little about the danger that termites pose to their property.
"You don't usually notice them until the damage is extensive" says entomologist Ron Harrison, technical director for Orkin Inc. Harrison knows of situations in which home owners have leaned against a wall and suddenly fallen through and toilets have plummeted through chewed-up floorboards. Termites can slip through a crack in the foundation or enter through window vents and roof joints. If termite pretreatments during construction aren't done correctly by the builder, termite swarms can take hold even after five years.
So how can you keep these insects from biting into your investment....
Keep moisture out. Use downspouts and gutters to divert water away from your home's foundation.
Store mulch, firewood, and wood chips away from the home.
Ensure shrubs, vines, and other plants aren't planted too close to the home and aren't covering vents.
Ventilate crawl spaces to reduce humidity.
Eliminate gaps and cracks in areas such as attic vents, window joints, and roof eaves.
Remove old tree stumps and roots near the home.
Your very BEST defense is to schedule regular inspections with a termite specialist. To find a list of certified professionals go to http://www.pestworld.org/ or contact us for some local names that we use.
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