When it comes to pest control, termites are definitely on of the top 5 list of pests that’s hard to eradicate. Nothing can stop them from building colonies for the sole reason that they don’t sleep! They just mind their time building them 24 hours a day every day. These sneaky creatures are hard to locate since they’re too good at hiding behind walls and are more than happy to munch on your wooden furniture and firewood. Is it feasible to get rid of them forever? If so, how?

As a responsible homeowner, you should know the best ways to contain these property destroyers and find ways on how to prevent an infestation from occurring in the first place. At the end of the day, it all starts with your home habits when it comes to improving your living situation. As per The Agricultural Research Service (ARS), “Termites cause nearly $40 billion in damage globally each year and destroy parts of more than 600,000 homes annually in the United States.” Imagine the financial burden they can give you in the long run. So how do you go about your serious pest problem?

To get you started, consider these tips on how to prevent these small, saw toothed pests from ruining your home.

1.  Use dehumidifiers

Take note that termites love humid areas. They need moisture to effectively digest the food they are eating, such as wood and cellulose. Moreover, this also keeps their bodies from drying out. Numerous factors can contribute to high indoor humidity, but the main one is inadequate ventilation, or, more simply put, improper air circulation, which results in stagnant and damp air in your home. Also, your home’s foundation may become moist due to poor grading, insufficient drainage, or damaged gutters. To get rid of excess moisture in your home, you can use heavy-duty dehumidifiers in order to regulate the moisture level of your environment. If your problem stems from poor plumbing, consider consulting a professional plumber.

2.  Reduce soil-to-wood contact

Especially when you’re dealing with subterranean termites, know that they work their way from the ground up. They build massive colonies underground and if ever they’re in need of food and shelter, you can be sure that they know already where to find your house. As per the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, “wood siding, door and window frames, etc. should be at least six inches above ground.” Most of all, avoid moisture in the foundations and crawl spaces.

3.  Seal cracks and crevices

Just like bed bugs, termites love to hide in narrow spaces and dark areas. Termites frequently come into contact with slab foundations and prefer fissures, particularly foundation fractures that provide cover. These cracks can also serve as their entry point. Caulking such cracks or painting them can also be helpful in reducing moisture in your walls and furniture. For small cracks in the wood and wood shingles, they can be sealed by painting over them with new paint. The key point here is that you need to deprive them of shelter and their source of food.

4.  Soil barriers

Another effective way to prevent future termite infestation is to get soil barriers. But you need help from a professional termite exterminator to do this. They first scan your area for signs of termite infestation and dig a small trench around your house afterward. This way, the exposed wood can then be applied with the right treatment. In order to stop termites from entering a building through the soil, large amounts of liquid termiticide are flooded into the soil regions surrounding the structure. If you’re concerned about the foul smell of the treatment used, don’t worry as most treatments that are used nowadays are odorless.

5.  Invest in a pest control treatment program

Homeowners have been drawn to DIY solutions since store-bought pesticides tend to be cheaper and easy to use. However, being too reliant on these products could not be beneficial for you both financially and physically. Get a termite removal in York, PA, to have the best pest protection for your home. When you avail of the services of ATC pest control, you’ll get a free inspection by a pest control professional and get the right price for the best quality of service in the market right now.

Call up a professional

Always remember that there’s no shame in asking for help. Termite removal is a vigorous process, and making even a small mistake during the process could lead to grave consequences for your home. Apply preventive measures instead of dealing with the problem when it has already worsened. If worse comes to worst, calling up a pest control expert is always a good idea. This way, you’ll get a professional inspection of the infested areas of your house and also get advice and recommendations with regard to maintenance to fully extend the effect of the termite treatment.