6 Unexpected Reasons Termites Are Attracted to Your House
As the weather warms up, termites will quite literally start crawling out of the woodwork. By now, you’re probably well aware that termites love wood, and that a termite infestation can cost a great deal of money and stress—but how much more do you really know about these wood-destroying insects? Probably not as much as you think. What’s worse, you may be unwittingly attracting these critters into your home.
Here’s how.
#1: Small Amounts of Moisture
Moisture accumulation from poor drainage, leaks, condensation, or poor ventilation around your house is ideal for a termite infestation. Since termites consume the cellulose found in wood, they require a lot of moisture so that they don’t dry out. Soggy soil or mulch around your home’s foundation is just asking for a termite infestation.
#2: Cracks in Your Home’s Foundation
Termites constantly forage underground for food and resources. They feed on dead buried trees, paper products, and organic matter found in soil that contains cellulose. If they forage too far, they might end up at your home’s foundation. If tempted by cracks in your foundation, they may enter and begin to chew their way through the wooden foundations inside of your structure.
#3: Mulch That Is Too Close to Your Home
Mulch is a great way to retain moisture in the soil, and is especially helpful if your soil’s fertility is low. However, when it comes to termites, mulch is another thing that welcomes termites into your home with open arms.
If you plan on mulching your garden (your plants will love it!) consider mulching at least 15 to 20 inches away from your home’s foundation.
#4: Wet Weather
As previously mentioned, termites love wet wood, so wet weather sets the stage for a termite swarm to emerge and wreak havoc on your property. Since you can’t control the weather, it’s important that you keep an eye out for any damp wood piles around your property, and dispose of them accordingly.
#5: Construction Debris
Any point where wood meets the soil is a prime location for a termite infestation to start. Be proactive about cleaning up sawdust shavings after your next project, as well as discarding any wooden debris left on-site after construction work.
#6: Wood––of Any Kind
No wood is invulnerable to termites––they’ll eat any kind of wood, pressure-treated or not. Make sure to keep piles of wood away from your home, and discard rotting wood as soon as you can. Otherwise, you’ll have a swarm of termites ready for an all-you-can-eat buffet—and your home will be the main course.
Now is the perfect time to prepare for termite season. Call the experts at Vulcan & Pest Control, and we’ll help you termite-proof your home.