From Guest Blogger Eileen O’Shanassy: Sustainable Building Practices–Four Ways to Termite-Proof Your Home
Keeping your home protected from pests is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that you’ll be able to continue enjoying using it for years to come. Homes with exposed wood are especially susceptible to problems with termites, and if left unchecked, a termite infestation can cause serious structural damage in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, this is even more applicable for those who have beautiful older homes that could be easily destroyed in a short amount of time by termites. Therefore, the best thing you can do is to follow these four simple tips to help termite proof your cabin.
Protect Your Wood from Moisture and Weathering
Termites are drawn to moist and decaying wood, as this creates an ideal place for them to create their nests. Therefore, one of the best things you can do is to make sure to only use pressure-treated wood anywhere that is in contact with the ground. You will also want to make sure that your gutters, downspouts, and flashing keep water fully drained away from the structure. If your property has drainage issues that result in water pooling up near your home, you will also need to correct this to prevent any wood from becoming moist and decaying.
Pay Attention to Your Garden and Surrounding Areas
A good way to keep termites away from your home is to eliminate any areas around your yard or surrounding property for them to hide and breed. This means keeping any firewood stacked in a dry place well away from your walls and making sure to regularly clean your yard of any dead leaves, branches, and other organic debris. Any plants, bushes, and trees growing up against the walls basically create a highway that allows the termites easy access to your property. This means it’s always a good idea to keep them trimmed back and away from the home itself. This is especially important for larger plants, as the roots could end up causing damage to the structure, which in turn could make it easier for termites to gain access to the structure of your home, where they can do a lot of damage before you notice.
Use Barriers to Keep Termites Away
Since you most likely won’t constantly be monitoring your home for signs of a termite invasion, you might want to consider using a natural deterrent like diatomaceous earth to deter the pests. Certain herbs like catnip and vetiver grass have also shown to be useful in deterring termites. Planting these herbs in your garden and near potential entry points can also Finally, it is important that you make sure to seal up any potential entry points, such as any cracks or holes that lead into the home.
Have Regular Inspections
The best thing you can do is to have your home regularly inspected for signs of infestation. Termite pest control can take many different forms, depending on where you live, the age of your home, the materials it is built with, and the condition it is in. Termites can be incredibly tough to spot and even more difficult to get rid of fully, which is why it is usually best to seek out the advice of a professional termite pest control expert. Many pest control companies also specialize in green pest control, allowing you to get rid of pests without harming your loved ones or the environment.
The biggest key to minimizing the damage termites can cause is to take steps to prevent them from attacking your home in the first place. Luckily, by following these simple steps, you should be well on your way to ensuring that your home remains termite free.
