Termites can have some environmental benefits. They can increase the chances of rainforest trees to survive. But for homeowners, termites are a pest. If you want to protect your home from these invaders, you should take Annapolis Pest Control proactively and know how you attract them into your house in the first place. What draws termites to your home depends on the kind of termite. Each kind is drawn to various kinds of wood and conditions.
Why Termites Infest Your House
Termites feed on wood and soil cellulose, which they also use for making nests. A termite infestation can occur in your house if it has incorrectly maintained wood. Although termites can easily target untreated wood, they are not drawn to your home for this alone.
The Eastern Subterranean termite is most drawn to moist areas. Often, it builds nests in moist soil, which also offers them enough cellulose for survival. But this species is heavily attracted to moist wood. Thus, it mainly targets wood that touches the soil.
In addition, any standing water or moisture on your property can attract termites. This is particularly the case if your house has an underground or near-ground structure.
How Mistakes Can Attract Termites
Sometimes, you could make mistakes and end up drawing termites into your house. These mistakes include the following:
- Not keeping wood piles away from your home. While you may want to store wood that you can use later, outdoor wood piles are a famous target for termites. Make sure you store your wood stack away from your house if you do not have an alternative storage space. This will limit the proximity of termite nests from your house. Also, tree stumps and mulch must be cleared from your property.
- Not checking the basement and roof. Basements hold onto moisture, so check them regularly. Also, it is important to clear the gutters because termites are drawn to moisture. And since trees can be a bridge for termites to access your roof, make sure the trees near your house do not touch any surface.
Any moist wood close to the soil attracts termites. To minimize the possibility of a termite infection, you should clear wood stacks, mulch, and trunks from your property. Also, remember to double-check if trees are touching your home’s side or roof and keep the basement dry. Lastly, contact a pest control expert if you need treatment for termites.
