Any kind of pest coming into your home is never ideal, especially when it’s as potentially destructive as termites. Many people will spray for bugs and hope that’s enough to deter them, but are you unknowingly attracting termites into your house? Sterling Pest Control in Orlando, Florida, can help you determine the best solutions to your pest problems with termite control, and keep the critters out for good.
Types of Termites
There are actually three common types of termites depending on where you live. They are dampwood, drywood, and subterranean termites, and are attracted to homes for different reasons. As their names suggest, dampwood termites seek moist woods and drywood termites seek dry wood locations to invade. Subterranean termites must have moist soil nearby, and then seek any wood that is in contact with the ground. Subterranean termites also construct a type of mud tube which helps them move from the soil to the wood, and thus become a link for the termites a route to the wood while also helping them avoid dehydration.
Is Your Home Attracting Termites?
Succeeding in proper termite control in your house begins with understanding how they will enter into your home. They can easily be brought in by you or others, or just from the foundation and structure of your home. If you use firewood, termites can hitch a ride into your home through you bringing in wood for the fire or using untreated lumber for home upgrades. It also can depend on where you live, as being in a more hot and consistent humid location will naturally increase termite populations and activity. The overall moisture found in your home can be the tipping point for termites to choose your home. Dampwood and subterranean termites are naturally drawn to humid environments and will thrive if the areas are left untreated. Dampwood termites prefer water-damaged wood, so if your home has undiscovered leaking pipes, poor airflow or improper drainage, among other issues, these can increase your chances of having unwelcome houseguests. Inspecting your home on your own multiple times a year, as well as having professional home inspections done can help you prevent these household issues from sprouting without your knowledge, and keep your home protected from pests.
Since subterranean termites need wood to be touching soil in order to invade your home, your foundation can be a possible cause of your termite activity. Mulch, overgrown bushes and trees around your home, and stacked wood up against your house can unknowingly bring termites into contact with your home, and gain them entrance to continue causing damage to your structural wood in your home. Any cracks or fissures in your home’s foundation, as well as gaps in siding, can be a warm welcome for termites. Even subterranean termites can build their mud tubes against these gaps and cracks and lead a direct path into your home. Any cracks or openings near windows and doors can also provide an easy way for termites of all species to enter and start wreaking havoc.
Termite Control
As previously mentioned, conducting thorough inspections on your home frequently during the year can help you spot imperfections in your home’s foundation, siding, walls, windows, doors, and many other areas where termites can gain easy access to your home. There may be some aspects of your home that you won’t be able to inspect easily or have the full knowledge of whether it can allow termites to enter your home, therefore it’s also a good idea to have professional inspections at least once or twice a year, as they may be able to spot items in your home that you may have overlooked or didn’t realize they pose a threat for infestations. If you find yourself with a termite problem already, your best bet is to involve a pest control company to help you eliminate the termites and start anew.
Contact Us
Do you believe your home is attracting termites? Enlist the help of Sterling Pest Control in Orlando to help rid your home of pests. We will safely and effectively eliminate termites to leave your home protected for years to come. Call us today!