A termite infestation is one of the scariest pest infestations to discover. Termites are always destructive and can leave you with extensive damage and expensive repairs. Protecting your home from termites is simply a part of being a property owner in this area. Keep reading for some tips on how to get rid of a termite infestation in your home.
Confirm that termites are the cause of the damage
There are a number of different issues that can cause damage to the wood around your house. Termites are one potential cause. These pests can eat away at the wood and make it look wavy, hollowed out, or crumbly. Other potential causes for wood damage include wet rot, dry rot, carpenter ants, and age. It is important to confirm the cause of your damaged wood so you can address it appropriately. The most effective way to confirm that termites are the cause of the damage, hands down, is to get a termite pro to inspect your home. Once the source of the problem is determined, you can move on to the steps that involve getting rid of the termites.
Get professional termite treatment
Termites are notoriously difficult to eradicate because they are often in areas of the home that are hard to get to. Many infestations start under a house where the termites have easy access to moisture-rich soil. Termites can even get into your walls and eat away at the wood there. The difficulty that comes with eradicating termites makes it essential for you to bring in a professional to help with the task. In order to have the same tools and resources that a termite professional has, you would have to spend a lot of money on equipment and supplies as well as a lot of time on training. Instead of going to all of that expense and trouble, bring in a termite professional from the beginning to get rid of those destructive pests.
Address the issues that led to the termite infestation in the first place
It is almost impossible to protect your home 100% from the threat of termites. They are persistent pests. However, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk of termites getting back into your home. Address any issues you can that led to the termite infestation in the first place. Water issues around your house can attract termites. If you have leaks or poorly functioning gutters, your soil may be holding on to excess moisture. Fix those problems to help protect your home. Another common issue is storing firewood too close to your house. Firewood is dead wood that can be infested with termites without you realizing it. If you store the firewood right next to your house, those termites can easily make their way into your property. Store firewood away from your house and off of the ground to help with this issue. If you have noticed damaged wood around your house, get in touch with the pros at Target Pest Control to schedule a free inspection. Once you know the cause of the damage, you can move forward with treatment and prevention efforts.
