Termite infestations pose a big challenge to homeowners, as they cause significant, lasting damage. In fact, termites collectively cause $30 billion in damage to crops and man-made structures in this country every year. The average homeowner faces a $3,000 repair bill due to the wood-chewing damage caused by these destructive insects.

They are known for colonizing behind your walls, feeding on your home’s wood, and essentially destroying your structural supports if left unchecked. There are some DIY methods you can try to control small infestations and prevent future ones from happening, but your best bet is to hire a termite exterminator in Chandler AZ.

5 Termite Prevention Tips

Once termites have invaded your home, there is little you can do about it without professional help. That’s why prevention is key so you can stop termites from setting up shop in the first place.

1. Reduce soil-to-wood contact

Most termites in Arizona and the rest of the country are subterranean, and they prefer to make their homes in areas of contact between wood and soil. Thus, crawl spaces and other areas under your home are a common entry point. Be sure to:

• Remove lumber, wood, mulch, cardboard, paper, and other cellulose-based debris from areas around the foundation.
• Stack firewood 20 feet away or more from your home; raise the stored wood eight inches or more off the ground.
• Ensure a four-inch barrier between any mulch and your home. Ideally, only your concrete foundation should be touching the soil.
• Keep wooden siding six inches or more above the soil.
• Regularly check any wooden fences that are near your home for rot or infestation. There are termite-proof paints and stains you could try to discourage them from nesting there.
• Book an appointment with a pest control professional for treatment.

2. Keep plants away from the house

Plants are a gateway for termites to enter your home. They can also conceal termite attacks on your siding or foundation. This is why you should:

• Trim back shrubbery, creating at least 12 inches between the vegetation and the exterior of your home. Bonus: this will also boost airflow and will allow quicker drying of damp areas. This also makes it easier to spot termite tubes and damage.
• Keep grass cut short and be sure to rake it regularly.
• Use pine needles as mulch, which are less attractive to termites than wood mulch.

3. Keep moisture away from the foundation

Termites seek moisture in the foundation and crawl space. To prevent this from happening:

• Position your storm drains and downspouts so that they empty a few feet from the foundation.
• Check roofing and flashing for leaks.
• Position sprinkler heads away from the foundation.
• Check for plumbing leaks in the home.
• Direct condensation from ACs, dryers and other appliances away from the home.
• Install vapor barriers in crawlspaces and use a dehumidifier in your basement.

4. Remove food sources

It’s essential that you cut off access to the food sources that termites love. Make your home less alluring to these insects by:

• Keeping dead trees and rotting wood away from the home.
• Removing tree stumps or scraps of wood around the home.
• Never leaving newspapers, cardboard boxes and old documents in your home for long periods of time.
• Recycling paper and wood products as soon as you can and storing important papers on the higher levels of your home.

5. Seal gaps

Materials such as wood, metal, concrete and PVC expand and shrink at varying rates over time, which causes settling of your home. That settling can result in cracks and gaps that will allow termites to gain entry.

• Seal cracks around gas and water lines with foam sealant or caulk. Stainless steel mesh should be applied first, if you have larger gaps.
• Check for cracks in your pipes.
• Patch cracks in the foundation with cement patching compound.
• Remove rotten or damaged wood in your home, replacing it with termite-resistant materials like pressure-treated wood or steel.

Get regular termite inspections

Make sure your home is annually inspected by a trained and certified termite professional such as Simply Green Pest Control.

Ask Abut Our Termite Inspection

For suspected termite invasion in your home or business in Phoenix, Arizona area, waste no time in calling your trusted Chandler, AZ pest control professionals. To book your consultation, Contact usat 480-550-9220 for a free quote and inspection.
We offer trained and certified termite control and treatment using the Sentricon System