Termite Season is in Full Swing

Termite season is already in full swing. Does that come as a surprise? Spring comes to Arizona early so it’s never too soon to be thinking about termite protection! Termite control services will soon be in high demand so you should already be taking measures to protect your home against its arch nemesis, the termite.

Termites are Public Enemy #1 for homeowners. Their wood-eating ways can cost you a fortune. Those sneaky subterranean bugs have been lying low all winter but they haven’t been dormant. Their activity levels drop and they stay deeper underground but they’re still awake and waiting for warm weather. If the winter is mild, termites can stay closer to the surface and breed for a longer time which can lead to a larger swarm in the spring.

Swarming is when termites leave the warmth and safety of the nest and look for love, it’s their reproducing way. Once they have mated, they will look food, water and future nesting sites. A rotting tree stump looks like a cozy new home but then, so does all the wood in your damp crawlspace. Termites aren’t that picky; they just like wood or any cellulose material. Whether it’s your back porch supports, your home’s structural support or a pile of unused firewood, box of books, historic desk, or even your bed posts, they’ll eat it.

So how can you defend your home against the destruction of a termite infestation? Here are a few tips to help you protect your home.

Watch the water. Termites need water to survive. They are always on the lookout for sources of moisture. It doesn’t take much to keep them satisfied. The condensation in your crawlspace, a leaky hose or outdoor faucet or standing rainwater at the bottom of the downspout will be sufficient for a whole colony. Get rid of the moisture and your home will be less vulnerable.
Monitor your wood. Rotten wood is the termite’s favorite food so don’t provide a buffet! Routinely check the wood on your home like window sills, porch railings, door frames, skirting boards and, of course, structural supports. Look where wood meets earth – that’s usually where rot begins.
Patrol the foundation. Look behind the decorative plants and shrubs at your home’s foundation. Look for pencil-sized tubs of mud running along the foundation. This is how termites travel. While you’re back there, pull the mulch back away from the foundation wall by a foot to 15 inches to keep termites from gaining access to the foundation.
Get rid of excess wood. If you’ve got wood scraps from a project lying around, get rid of them. Never bury extra wood. Pull up any wooden grade stakes and have stumps ground down to make your home a little less attractive to termites. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or fire pit, move the woodpile so it’s well away from the home. Inspect any logs before you bring them inside.
Call in a pro. If you see any evidence of termites, call your Phoenix exterminator right away. This is not a DIY project; let the professionals handle it before it gets any worse.
Get an Annual Termite Inspection. Regardless whether you have termites or not, always have a phoenix termite specialist inspect your home. He will provide you with a written report showing any of the steps mentioned here within, and should be able to offer you a long term prevention program if you are interested. Prevention is always less than reacting to an active termite infestation.
Keep in Mind. Termite control is not inexpensive, beware low prices and long term guarantees. Make sure your company has been in business a long time, and offers annual guarantees with a required annual inspection. Five to ten year guarantees are unrealistic unless you’re a soothsayer and can predict the future, if not don’t be hooked by long term promises that you, nor they know, if they will even be in business in 5 to 10 years. Don’t bet on your most valuable asset – your home.