A homeowner should never ignore the risk of a termite infestation in their home, as termites can quickly cause severe damage to a home's framework, as well as to its drywall and other such building materials. This damage can cause a home to settle and shift causing cracks to form in the ceilings, walls and floors. To ensure your home is always protected from termites, note a few considerations to keep in mind about these bothersome pests, and discuss your concerns with an exterminator as needed.
Termite control is ongoing
Remember that ongoing treatment and protection is the best way to protect a home from termites, rather than just a one-time treatment. An exterminator can get rid of a current termite infestation, but it's typically good to have your home treated with insecticides annually, or as needed. This will ensure that another colony of termites doesn't get into your home and will also ensure that your home is always protected after that initial spray of chemicals eventually erodes or wears away.
Termite control starts outside the house
Termites don't simply appear in your home like magic; they always come from the outside, and they will typically follow a food or water source to the home itself. In turn, you need to ensure that your termite control methods start outside the house; along with spraying pesticides and other treatments inside the home itself, you might consider grading the soil, if needed, so that water flows away from the house. Retainer walls can also control water collecting around the home, and removing tree stumps and other wood features from the property will reduce food sources for termites.
It's also good to check wood-to-ground features you have outside the home that cannot be removed, such as decking or wood fencing. Adding concrete pads for their posts and footings can create a barrier between the wood and termites, so your home will be protected from an infestation.
Even new homes can get infested
Never assume that any pest infestation is a risk just for older homes. An older home may have more cracks and other such damage that makes it easier for pests to get inside or may be prone to water leaks that attract pests, but even brand-new homes can be infested with termites, roaches, mice and so on. This is why it's good to have your home treated for termites and other potential infestations every year, or as often as recommended, no matter its age.
