6 Ways Termites Are Getting Into Your Home

How do termites find their way into your home?

• Environments with high moisture attract them.
• Wooden fixtures that had contact with moist soil become a passageway for termites to enter your home.
• The cracks on the exterior of your home will an entryway for termites. To repair the said exterior, you can see this site.
• Clogged gutters may lead to damp damages in your house that again attract termites.
• Untended gardens with overgrown bushes, mulching piles, and felled tree stumps are hugely attractive to termites.
• Some places are just prone to termite infestation.

 

Have you ever wondered how termites get into your home? Have you ever asked your termite control specialist about it? The way these creatures get into your household is quite the mystery, isn’t it?

One moment your house is standing strong and the next its foundation is crumbling. They hit slowly and quietly like little ant-sized assassins. Unbeknownst to you, they may be crawling around your home right now.

If you’re dying to know how they infiltrate your well-constructed home, then just keep on reading. We’ll tell you how and why these silent assassins are getting into your home and what you can do to stop them.

 

Moisture

When it comes to the list of things that attract termites, moisture is definitely number one. In fact, it’s not only termites that thrive in high-moisture environments. Other house pests treat it like a huge welcome sign and get by, build colonies, and reproduce with the smallest amount of water and moisture.

How do you counter this? For one, repair any leaky pipes and ensure that your home has proper drainage. Remove any form of standing water as this is an extremely attractive environment for termites. Always check that your home’s foundation is properly ventilated. Finally, trim any landscaping that allows for humidity to build up in your house’s crawl space.

 

Wood

Most people think that the presence of wood alone is enough to attract termites, but that’s actually not the case. Termites are attracted to any and all kinds of wooden structure in your home that is in contact with moist soil.

They use these connections as their infiltration route and nesting grounds, and it won’t matter if the soil around your home has been treated by pest control. The only way to prevent them from getting in through this is if you perform regular inspections of your house’s wooden structure.

 

Cracks in the Exterior

If there’s a way to get into your home, you can bet that termites are using it. They will take advantage of any opportunity to breach your home, so make sure you give them none.

Immediately repair cracks in your home’s foundation – may it be concrete or wood. Inspect your entry doors and windows and reapply caulk as needed. Check for any defective and loose seals in your plumbing and electrical lines. These fixes may look minor but they will do wonders in defending your home against termites.

 

Clogged Gutters

It’s not actually clogged gutters that bring termites to your home but the effect they have on your home’s foundation. Clogged and unclean gutters collect grime, dirt, plant life, and prevent rainwater from filtering down to the earth which leads to damp damage on your house’s structure. You will be able to spot damp damage through any mold or damp marks on the ceiling.

Over time, this will create moist and rusty wood that termites absolutely love. Aside from this, it also causes concerning damage to your home’s structural integrity. In order to sidestep this situation, all you have to do is regularly clean your gutters; it’s simple but undeniably effective.

 

Untended Gardens

You should be mindful of plants and trees that hover close to your home’s walls because termites can use them just as easily as any other wooden structure. Garden life such as overgrown bushes, mulching piles, and felled tree stumps are hugely attractive to termites.

Tree stumps are prone to collecting mold, water, and fungal growths. They also have deep roots that spread over for years and can potentially impale your home’s foundation. In order to avoid this problem, make sure to treat these neglected stumps and have them removed by a tree service professional.

On the other hand, if you only have a grassy lawn, then make sure there is a small barrier of brick or pavement or anything non-organic between it and your walls. If you don’t build this barrier, then you’re just giving termites a direct and easy route to your house.

 

Geography

When you know you’re doing everything right but termites are still getting into your home, then you might want to check your home’s location. You might just be unfortunate enough to live in a state or region that is susceptible to termite infiltration.

Places that are prone to termite infiltration are often very warm but also have moisture in the air. The combination of heat and damp wood makes for the perfect termite heaven. If you think you’re in such an area, then double down on all preventive measures and precautions to ensure your home doesn’t get destroyed.

 

Key Takeaway

Termites are one of your home’s worst enemies and sometimes no amount of termite control will be able to eradicate them, so why not just prevent the problem from ever starting.

Sure, termites are sneaky creatures that will use anyway to get into your home, but they won’t be able to if you don’t let them. We’ve told you how they infiltrate your home and a few tips on how to stop them. All you have to do now is to bear all of this in mind the next time you’re worrying about termites in your walls and ceiling!