Say Goodbye to Termite Infestation
The best approach to protect your home from termite infestation is to avoid conditions that aid termites in gaining access. There are several simple things you can do to help avoid termites. First, do not allow the wood from your home to come in contact with the soil. The minute wood sets on earth, it starts attracting moisture and the combination of wood, soil and moisture attracts fungi that begin to decay the wood. Second, fix water leaks and control moisture in and around your home. The termites that live in Kansas require moisture and will thrive in damp soil and wood.
Avoid all wood-to-soil contact. Don’t stack firewood directly on the ground, especially next to the foundation of your home. Keep it elevated on racks. Also, don’t allow the siding of your house or trim to become covered by dirt. This allows unseen access by termites to your home and creates a condition that is conducive to termite infestation. Walk around the outside perimeter of your home and look for places where the wood or siding comes into contact with the soil and make a break of about six inches or more, if possible.
If you have roof or plumbing leaks, have them repaired.
Often, a termite infestation occurs around fireplaces because the juncture where the sloping roof meets the fireplace doesn’t drain rain water properly. Moisture is retained in the walls and termites are attracted to the damp wood. Also, make sure that crawl spaces are properly ventilated. Damp crawls spaces aid termite infestation.
If you’re building a home, look at getting a pretreatment while the home is being built. It’s one of the most cost effective ways of preventing termites, if the treatment is done properly. Make certain the provider uses a good, modern termiticide and uses it at the required label rates. Many, if not most, pretreatments in Kansas are done very cheaply, which means that the pest control company is using “cheap” rather than “good” product. Often, the chemicals are applied at rates much lower than required by state and federal law. Although, such treatments are regulated by the State of Kansas, due to manpower shortages, regulators have little time to monitor and enforce pretreatment requirements. If you’re getting the “builder’s special” on a termite pretreatment, the chances are you’re not getting much, if any protection.
Only the experts can solve termite infestation
If you discover that you have termites feeding on your home, your best response is to contact a professional pest control expert. Termites are extremely difficult to get rid of on a long term basis. They’re easy to run off for a short time, but once you’ve turned your back on them, they’ll find a way to get back into your home. Use a professional that has proper licensing, credentials and a good rating with consumer watchdog agencies like the Better Business Bureau. Check with neighbors and friends to see if they have used someone that has done a good job for them. You may want to get a couple of bids. Cheap often isn’t good. The easiest way to do a low-cost job is to use second rate materials at less than label rates. Ask lots questions when you get an estimate and use reputable companies to help you win against termite infestation.
Are termites bugging you? Give Patton Termite and Pest a call at 316-773-3825 or use our web contact form.
We look forward to hearing from you.