4 Ways to Stop Termites From Spreading in Your Home
If you have found termite infestation in your home, you will need to work with a pest control professional to eliminate the termites. In addition to the professional treatment that your home will undergo to kill the termites, there are steps you can take on your own to stop the termites from spreading.
1. Reduce Moisture in Your Home
First, you are going to want to work to reduce moisture in your home. If you live in a humid climate, you will want to purchase a dehumidifier, which will literally pull the moisture out of the air. Getting rid of moisture in the air and your home can help keep the termites away in the future.
2. Fix Any Leaks Around Your Home
Termites love moisture as much as they love decaying wood, which is why you need to ensure that you get rid of any leaks in and around your home. Water leaks can provide termites with water, and they can help decay the wood around your home. In addition, material that is water-laden, from walls to roofs to decking, can attract termites.
You will want to regularly check your home for water leaks, including in your attic and crawlspace. If you find a water leak in your basement, get your roof patched. If you find a pipe is leaking in your crawl space, call a plumber. Keep your gutters clean to ensure that water coming off your home is running in the right direction.
3. Get Rid of Clutter
Once termites get into your home, they will find more paper sources to consume, which is why it is vital to declutter your home. You will want to go through your home and ensure that each of your rooms is free of clutter. Get rid of any paper material that could attract termites, such as old magazines, newspapers, cardboard, and paper.
If you have any rooms that termites impacted, you will want to clean those rooms very carefully. You are going to want to get rid of anything the termites infected. Talk to your pest control professional to see what you can save and what you need to get rid of.
4. Create Distance Between Your Home and the Soil
You are going to want to create distance between your home and any soil or vegetation. A good idea is to pour cement around the base of your home, about a foot and a half to two feet in width, to protect the wood of your home from the soil, creating a physical barrier for termites. If you don't want to pour cement around your home, you can also place stones or gravel to create a barrier.
If you have termites that are infesting your home, you will need to work with a pest control professional to get rid of them. Once you get rid of the termites, you are going to want to take steps to keep them away, such as fixing all leaks when they occur, reducing the humidity in your home, decluttering, and creating a distance between your home and the outside soil. You will also want to get your home regularly treated by a termite control technician.
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