Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Termite Season

Termites invade hundreds of thousands of homes every year. These pests can eat wooden parts of your house, such as doors, windows and siding. Once they get indoors, they can also feast on your furniture. Spotting these insects isn’t always easy because they eat things from the inside out. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect your humble abode against them. 

Get your home ready for termite season using these tips from a trusted gutter contractor. 

Common Signs You Have Termites at Home

Mud Tubes

You could be dealing with termite infestation if there are mud tubes around your home’s foundation. These tubes are usually as wide as a pencil. They could also be found in other areas where the ground meets your house. 

Pinholes on Walls

Termites can create small holes and gaps to enter walls and move around your home. You’ll often find these tiny pinholes on drywalls. Sometimes, termites conceal the holes to protect their colony inside the walls. 

Hollow-Sounding Walls

Do you suspect termites are within the walls of your home? If so, gently tap on the walls you believe have been infested by these pests. A hollow sound can indicate that termites have consumed the wood framing inside. Knock on several walls around your house to determine which areas might have termite-related damage. 

Peeling or Bubbling Paint

Moisture is essential for termites to survive. They will inevitably carry it with them once they invade the walls of your home. Excessive moisture can cause the paint on your interior walls to flake, peel or bubble. 

Discarded Wings

Termite swarmers are more common in spring when they emerge from their nests. During this season, they mate and create colonies in various places. The presence of these winged insects could indicate that termites are already eating away at your home’s foundation. It’s a good idea to contact experts for an inspection if you notice discarded wings near windows, doors and other entry points.

What Can You Do to Avoid Termites?

Keep Your Gutters in Good Shape

Gutters are crucial to your home’s protection against water damage. They can also prevent termites from attacking the foundation of your house. Your gutters prevent water from infiltrating your basement, helping keep pests away from the area. Termites are less likely to get attracted to homes with dry basements because they need moisture to live. 

Schedule regular cleaning to maintain the efficiency of your gutter system. If this part of your home develops damage, don’t wait long to address it. It also pays to invest in high-quality gutter covers. They can minimize the debris that enters your gutters, reducing the risk of clogs and improving water flow. With gutter guards, you won’t have to clean your gutters as much, saving you money on maintenance costs. 

Eliminate Moisture in Other Parts of Your Home

Moisture around your living space can create the perfect living environment for termites. Deal with plumbing and roof leaks as soon as detected. Ensure your attic has sufficient ventilation to keep the area from getting too moist and humid. 

Like installing a gutter protection system, getting regular HVAC inspections can help prevent termite infestation in your home. While assessing the unit, your technician could discover leaks or condensation issues. If this is the case, have your equipment repaired right away.

Eliminate Food Sources

Termites will be less drawn to your house once you eliminate their food sources. Are there dead trees on your property? If so, hire professionals to remove them. Besides attracting pests, they can endanger your home and loved ones during extreme weather events. You should also never keep firewood or leftover wood from construction near or inside your basement and foundation. 

Another thing termites love to feed on is the cellulose in paper products. It’s why you shouldn’t leave newspapers, magazines and cardboard boxes in your home for too long. Moreover, place essential documents on the upper levels of the house. 

Seal Gaps and Cracks Around Your Home

Gaps and cracks can form in different construction materials as they settle over time, creating entry points for termites. These insects can enter tiny openings, so you must seal gaps around your home. Pay close attention to spots around windows, doors and the foundation. 

Avoid Using Too Much Mulch

Mulch can add appeal to your landscaping and nourish plants. However, using too much of it can lure termites to your yard. Since mulch tends to retain moisture, termites often find them enticing. Furthermore, don’t let the mulch touch your siding and door frames.

Keep Plants at Safe Distance From Your Home

While trees and shrubs can liven up your property, termites can use them to access your humble abode. They can also make it harder for you to see if termites are gnawing on your siding or foundation. Experts recommend keeping shrubs at least 12 inches from your home’s exterior. Routinely trimming them can help damp areas dry faster and make termite tubes more noticeable. 

Turn Off Outdoor Lights at Night

During termite season, it isn’t uncommon to find flying termites around outdoor lights. If possible, turn off lights outside your home at night. You can also place them away from windows, doors, soffit vents and other potential access points for termites. 

Schedule Regular Termite Inspections

If you live in a place prone to termite infestations, you should get regular inspections from pest control professionals. Some signs of termite infestation aren’t easy to spot, and you won’t even know these pests have accessed your home until significant damage occurs. Termites can enter your house through paper-thin cracks.  

An experienced inspector can catch early signs of termite infestation. Promptly addressing the problem is vital to prevent further damage to your home. Termite treatment is always best handled by professionals since home remedies are not as effective and safe.