Termites are a major problem throughout Texas. Due to the warm and humid climate, a number of different species of termites thrive all throughout the state. With spring officially just around the corner, it is essential for homeowners to prepare for the coming termite season. There are a number of steps a homeowner can take to help make their home a less appealing target for termite swarmers. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control will share a few tips for homeowners on how to prevent termites this coming termite season.
Termite Behavior
Termites often share a few common behaviors. All termites feast on cellulose or wood. Most termites prefer damp wood. However, there are a few species in Texas that also feed on dry or rotten wood. When wood is damp or dry, it is weak enough for termites to chew their way through the lumber. Termites most often live underground or within the wood they feed on. Many of them will form mud like tunnel systems for traveling to and from their feeding site to their nest. Termites also primarily reproduce during the spring. At this time, thousands of males and females will leave the nest in search of a new home. It is during this mating season homeowners have to be especially aware and work quickly to protect their home.
How to Prevent Termites
To prevent termites in your home and yard, you will first want to reduce the amount of residual moisture. Most local termite species require moisture in order to thrive. Make sure to reduce the amount of water that may puddle around the home and make sure the exterior wood doesn’t get soaked. This can include decks, wooden siding, and soffits. You will want to repair plumbing issues quickly such as indoor plumbing, leaking faucets, and sprinkler systems. Try to divert water away from the home by using a gutter system. Also consider having soil around your home about 18 inches wide as a barrier. When prepping the outside, also remove any dead trees including the stumps. For those who have firewood stored on the property, consider keeping the firewood at least 20 feet away from the home and have it stored a foot off the ground. Another step in preventing termites is to repair your home exterior, including the fascia and soffits. Remove any rotten shingles. Inside the home, maintain and replace weatherstripping or loose mortar in basement areas as these are major targets for termites. Regularly inspect the home for bubbling paint or mud tunneling systems as time is key when preventing a major infestation.
Termite Pest Inspection, Control, Removal, Treatment & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
If you discover signs of termites in or around your home such as the yard, contact a professional pest control service. Termites, if discovered in the yard, need to be treated as soon as possible. A professional pest control service can help set up termite barriers and or traps. A professional service will also search for the nest and treat it directly if located. There are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent thousands of dollars’ worth of damages to your home. If you require termite or pest control services, contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control and schedule our services today.
