How to Keep Termites out of your home

Termites are the biggest contributors to home destruction. They cause $1 billion in damages each year. A queen can lay thousands of eggs a day. A colony consists of anywhere from 350,000 to over a million termites. They eat continuously. A single termite colony can completely devour almost 3 linear feet of a wooden 2x4 a year. Most homes are supported by wooden 2x4s.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Fix all water leaks both inside and outside of your home. Termites cannot survive without a water source present.

2. Clear all brush and heavy growth around your home. Vegetation creates moisture.

3. Remove all standing water near your home.

4. Store all firewood and scrap wood away from the home. If their is not room on your property to store wood away from the house use concrete slabs or heavy metal to raise wood off of the ground.

5. Use treated lumber for any wooden structures that will have direct contact with the ground, such as decks and patios. You can use concrete supports to raise wooden support beams off the ground.

6. Do not use wooden mulch near your home. There is rubber mulch available.

7. Remove all dead trees, stumps, rots and any decaying wood from around the home.

8. Seal all cracks and holes in your homes foundation.

9. Keep all gutters and waterlines debris free.

10. Make sure attic and internal crawl space areas are properly ventilated.

11. Once a year get your home inspected for termite damage.