Homeowners spend an estimated $5 billion dollars every year to treat termites and repair the damage they cause. The damage that termites cause is more than the damage caused by floods, fires, and tornadoes combined. Termites are very hard to spot due to their tiny size and the fact that they like to hang out in the dark and behind walls. They will chew through the wood in your home 24/7, 365 days a year, and if left to work for long enough, walls and structures can be completely destroyed. Discovering you have termites can be a true nightmare! How did you get them?
Common Causes of a Termite Infestation
Termites are Attracted to Hot & Wet Climates – Weather that is hot and wet provides termites with two conditions that termites can thrive in. If your local climate is both hot and wet your home will be more prone to termite infestations.
Moisture Attracts Termites. You are also prone to termite infestations if there is moisture present in and around your home. Standing water and poor drainage can create too much moisture in your attic or crawl space due to poor ventilation. Damp wood attracts termites. They can chew holes, create cracks and even make wood sag.
Wood Touching the House Attracts Termites. Termites eat wood and that means your house has a lot to offer them. Any wood that touches your home will attract them and once they get inside, they will dine on all the wood they can find- and that’s a lot! Wood on your property can also attract termites. That means branches, firewood and untreated mulch.
Termites Enter Via Gaps in the Foundation. Termites create nests under concrete foundations because it’s dark and moist all the time. Gaps in foundation creates a channel for termites to use to get to the wood in your home. You are still at risk if your home isn’t on a concrete slab. Termites will also use any cracks and gaps they can find around the exterior of your home.
Not Getting a Termite Inspection. Inspections are an important way to prevent a termite infestation because they can go undetected for a long time. You can have extensive damage before you realize they are there. For that reason, inspections should be done once a year to find them as soon as possible.
Termite Prevention
Termites damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year. Understanding how they can get into your home will help you prevent the costly damage of an infestation. Sadly, no matter how hard you try you may still get termites. The good news is that taking these steps can limit your risks. Keep moisture in check, keep wood away from your home, seal all points of entry and have yearly inspections performed.
Termite Inspections, Control & More in San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Diego Counties, California
Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover the cost to repair termite damage to your home. Prevent your home from becoming a statistic and contact Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. to schedule a termite inspection today! We can also set up regular pest control services to protect your home from any pests! Give us a call today!
