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Reduce the Termite
Threat Home maintenance and improvements add to the value of any home. In addition to keeping your home in good condition, maintenance also helps keep termites and other pests from appearing in your home and causing damage. It is recommended that you have a licensed professional check your home at least once a year for termites. If, however, you choose not to hire an inspector, do a routine maintenance check of your home’s structure. |
- Inspect the exterior of your home, particularly those built on slabs. Pay close attention to the exterior foundation, siding and wood. Remember, moist wood is vulnerable to termite attack.
- Check the foundation for mud tubes. Siding should be a minimum of six inches above the soil level so that you can inspect the foundation for termite tubes.
- Look for cracks in the foundation that may indicate a crack in the footer. Termites can use a gap of only 1/32-inch to gain access to your home.
- If you have an earth-filled porch, check for water seeping under the siding or onto foundation wood members. Caulk those cracks.
- Inspect entryways, window frames and door frames for moisture and termite damage. Check your roof for water damage areas. Water drainage problems can create conditions that may lead to a secondary or above-ground termite infestation.
- Check your decks for termite mud tubes.
- Landscape timbers, even pressure-treated timbers, may decay. Probe timbers with a screwdriver for signs of damage.
- Flower boxes made of wood or masonry attached to the house can provide a termite easy access to the house without being seen. Pull soil away and check for termite tubes.
- Termites most often enter homes through the foundation. A crawlspace with an adequate clearance of at least 18 inches is one of the few exposed areas of a home that can be inspected easily for signs of termite activity.
- Check for mud tubes on structural wood. If you find mud tubes, break one open to see if termites are active. Scrape away old tubes so that you can check for new activity at a later date.
- Check for excessive mold or water stains on wood. This indicates that there is a leak somewhere in your home. Remember, termites are drawn to moisture.
- When you have your house inspected professionally, make sure the inspector takes moisture readings in the floor joists.
- You may want to add a moisture barrier to relieve moisture in your crawlspace. A moisture barrier is made of 6 to 8 mil plastic that covers around 75 percent of the floor of your crawlspace. Put down a moisture barrier only after you have checked for all water leaks.
- Check your clothes dryer vent periodically to make sure the vent is not blowing warm, moist air into the crawl space. Clothes dryer ducts should always vent outside your home.
- If you suspect termite problems, call a professional to reduce chances of further damage.