- Termites cause more damage than tornadoes, hail storms,
wind storms,
and hurricanes combined.
- Termites cost Americans more than $1 billion each year.
- You can buy insurance for many sources of home damage,
but not for
termites.
- Termites have been around for more than 240 million years.
They adapt to ever
changing environments. Termites are
natures way to break down wood and return it to the soil.
- Termites can not determine the difference between the wood
in the forest
where your home was built and the wood
members of your home.
- Termites can infest almost every part of your home.
- Termites can enter your home through a crack or opening
as thin as a
piece of paper.
- Termites never stop working and eating. They work 24 hours a day.
-
Termite colonies can average more than a million termites.
MAINTENANCE TIPS TO HELP REDUCE TERMITE INFESTATIONS
1) If you live in an area where termites are a known problem, we recommend that you have your home inspected for termites
once each year and before buying a home, or prior to selling a home.
2) Avoid wood to ground contact such as wood siding (6 inches minimum
clearance between wood siding and the soil).
3) Wood decking built on the soil surface or wood members in contact with the soil should be treated.
4) Excessive moisture under or adjacent to the structure. AC condensate
drain line draining next to the foundation or poor
surface drainage. AC
condensate drain line should drain at
least 5 feet from the foundation. Poor surface drainage should be improved. Use the advice of a professional in this area due to the possibility
of causing foundation and or drainage problems.
5) Foliage growing next to and/or on the structure (Vines and shrubs are common problems) should be trimmed back and away from the
structure..
6) Wood pile adjacent to the structure should be removed.
7) Wood fence in contact with the structure should have at least 6 inches of clearance or be treated.
8) Wood used in and over foundation expansion joints should be removed
and the joints treated.
9) Tree branches contacting the structure should be cut back
from the structure..
10) Wood form boards left in place around the foundation should be removed or treated.
|
