Top 5 Things Attracting Termites to Your Home
The weather is changing and spring pests are waking up. March 7-13th is Termite Awareness Week and we are going to review the top 5 things that are attracting termites around your home. Now is a perfect time to check the exterior and interior of your home for weather and pest damage. A little pest prevention now will ready your home for warmer months and carry you along, pest-free.
The Costly Effects of Termite Damage
Are you aware that termites cost U.S. property owners over $5 billion dollars each year?! And that termites damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year? If the temperature is right and the colonies (Termite colonies can have upwards of 2 million members) continue to feed and breed, unnoticed, these “silent destroyers” can cause so much damage before even presenting signs that they’re chewing away at a home.
Protect the Structure of Your Home
Franklin Pest Solutions and the NPMA (National Pest Management Association) have provided the following tips to help homeowners reduce their risk of termite damage by taking care of the following hotspots:
- Stacking firewood near the home. Firewood is especially attractive to termites, and having it too close to the home can attract them inside. Be sure to store firewood at least 20 feet from the home and five feet off of the ground.
- Improper drainage. Termites love water and clogged gutters offer the perfect opportunity to collect moisture. Divert rainwater away from the foundation of your home using down-spout extenders and be sure to regularly clear your gutters of leaves and debris.
- Excess mulch. Although mulch can provide a beautiful touch to your yard, it serves as a meal for termites and also retains water. Minimize the use of mulch and be sure to keep it at least 15 inches from the foundation of the home.
- Trees growing near the home. Tree limbs and leaves can provide a pathway to your home for termites seeking a new colony location.
- Excess wood throughout the yard. Any rotting wood material is an easy meal for termites, so be sure to remove any logs or tree stumps from your property.
Don’t Hesitate, Call Today
With the structure of your home at risk, termites are not a DIY pest. Protect your investment and your bank account by treating termites right away. Franklin Pest Solutions staff are trained to identify termite damage and perform WDI (Wood Destroying Insect) inspections. Call 800-GOT-PESTS? today and get protected. Looking for protection 365 days a year? Try our Healthy Home Plus Sentricon it provides protection from 12+ common home invaders plus wood-destroying insects like termites.
