It’s Termite season again. Spring doesn’t just bring rain, new flowers, and beautiful weather but we also need to watch out for termites this time of year.
Warmer weather mixed with the rain we have gotten this year creates perfect conditions for termites to flourish.
There are certain things that we can do to help keep them out of our homes.
- Do not store firewood, lumber, cardboard or paper products, or other wooden materials right next to the foundation. Common offenders that people forget about are wooden garden trellises, mulch, old newspapers, cardboard boxes, or wooden stakes left by the home builder.
- Try to avoid excessive moisture right next to the foundation. Termites are attracted to moisture. The surface next to the foundation should be graded to drain water away from the foundation. Plants should be kept away from the house so that you do not have to water by the foundation. Not only does it attract termites but it can also wash away the termite barrier put there during the pre-treatment.
- Make sure that the concrete foundation is visible above the dirt all the way around the house. When the soil comes up over the stucco or siding it provides the termites undetectable access to the home.
- It is good to keep in mind that not only will termites show up on the exterior foundation but it is also very common for them to show up in the garage at the expansion joints. It is good to keep the edges of the garage visible to be able to detect termites quickly if they pop up there.
