Termite damage is not always covered under homeowner's insurance so it's essential to get periodic inspections and treatment.
In addition, here are some key ways to prevent infestations of all termite types, according to Spears Environmental, Inc.:
– Keep home foundations dry: Don't regularly spray water on foundations. Slope gutters so that they drain away from the house.
– Be careful with mulch. Don't mulch around foundations. Keep wood mulch as far away as possible from the house.
– Remove scrap wood and wooden debris. Quickly dispose of fallen branches.
– Avoid landscape timbers or railroad ties as edging around your house. Metal, plastic or brick edging is best for plantings.
– Build decks and stairs on concrete pads. Regularly treat around posts and pads.
– Cut clinging vines so they do not grow on the wall of the house. Termites love these.
– Keep crawl spaces as dry as possible and sealed, if feasible.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.