Termite prevention begins with eliminating entry points where wood and soil meet, being vigilant for signs of infestation, and seeking professional advice.
They're ubiquitous, and yet nobody wants to talk about them or, much less, admit to having them. These blind insects live in strictly ordered colonies whose primary source of food is dead wood- the stuff that much of your house may be built of. They're termites. To survive, they want to eat your house, but with constant vigilance, you can keep them from doing it.
The first line of defense against termites is to not allow them in. Termites are subterranean, meaning they live in the soil, so they can only enter your home where wood and soil are close together in the presence of water. Eliminate any such points of contact, such as wooden steps, woodpiles, or even wood or cellulose debris, keeping any wooden structures at least six inches off the ground. If you use mulch against the house, do so sparingly, and never near wood. Keep moisture from building up against your foundation by not allowing plants to grow directly against your house and by making sure your gutters transfer rainfall at least three feet away from the foundation and are functioning properly. As you water your lawn or plants, do not allow the sprinkler to water your house as well. Keep the level of moisture down in the crawlspace, basement, and attic by keeping these areas well-ventilated. All wood which is exposed to moisture should be treated with a weather sealer.
Once you have taken precautionary measures, be alert for any visual signs of termite infestation. Check each year for signs of the mud tubes termites build; these may appear in cracks between boards, and may be as small as a quarter-inch or as large as an inch. You can tell whether the tube indicates an active or a past colony by scraping some of it away, and then checking to see if termites repair the tubes. Signs of termite swarming indicate the presence of an active mature colony. When their colony becomes crowded, a cloud of termites will swarm and seek a new home. Swarming happens quickly, and chances are you won't see it happen. You might, though, find a winged termite (distinguished from winged ants, which also swarm in the spring, by having straight antennae, a thick waist, and wings all of uniform length) inside your home, or find their shed wings. It's best to have your home professionally inspected each year, as a professional might see signs you overlooked and can also identify potential trouble spots.
If you live in an area where termites are particularly problematic, consider purchasing a termite bond. For an annual fee, a pest control company will perform a yearly inspection for signs of termite damage, and often damage done by mold and other pests. They then guarantee their work; should termites damage your home, the company will pay to repair the damage. If you are buying a home, have it professionally inspected (in some states, this inspection is required by mortgage companies) for signs of past damage or a current infestation.
If termites are detected in your home, the good news is that they feed quite slowly. Different pest control companies may offer very different prices and warranties and use different methods, so it's a good idea to get at least three quotes. Research the methods they plan to use so you can decide what's best for your home.
