4 Common Areas Termites Attack Your Home
Are you worried about the possibility of termites within your home? Perhaps you've noticed a few termites around the area -- or maybe it's just been a long time since your last pest control service. If you suspect that you might have termites, there are a few places that you might want to check. These are the places that termites most commonly congregate around or in.
1. Pipes in Your Foundation
Pipes leading into your foundation often lead the surrounding foundation are to crumble. Termites may begin nesting in any gaps or using the crumbling foundation for access into your home. Inspect any pipes around the outside of your home and make sure that any holes are checked and patched. An exterminator can treat these areas to ensure that any existing termites are eradicated.
2. Gutters and Downspouts
One of the major reasons why homeowners should be certain to properly maintain their gutters and downspouts is to avoid termites. Termites will thrive in the moist environments created by filled gutters and downspouts. By keeping these areas clean, you will remove any areas that they can inhabit and nest. Though they probably won't damage the gutters and downspouts themselves, they may grow stronger and gain access to your home from there.
3. Bushes and Overgrowth
Bushes and overgrowth near your home may harbor termites, eventually leading to them moving into your house. You should usually never place plants too close to a home; they can draw in many types of animals and the roots of bushes can grow and injure your home's foundation. Any large plants should be pulled up from the area around the wall.
4. Foam Insulation Panels
Foam insulation panels are edible to termites. Though they cannot properly digest or gain nutritional value from foam insulation, they can nest in it -- and this will bring them closer to the walls of your home and to the wood within. Foam insulation panels usually aren't visible, so you will need to hire an exterminator to check. You can also inquire with your home's contractor to find out whether foam insulation panels were used as a primary source of insulation.
Whether or not you currently have termites, a reliable pest control and exterminator company should always be called for regular maintenance. The easiest way to protect your home from damage is to prevent there from ever being a problem at all. Termites can cause serious and expensive structural issues in aw home.