![termites infesting a home](https://www.insectiq.net/wp-content/uploads/termiites-infesting-a-home.v11.jpg)
Of all the destructive pests in Modesto, California, termites are probably the worst. These small, ant-like insects can cause huge amounts of property damage as they eat through wooden structures and items around your property. In fact, the average homeowner with a termite infestation will spend about $3,000 in repairs.
Part of the reason why termites can do so much damage is that they are a difficult pest to spot. They usually live inside of walls or under flooring where you might not see or notice them for months or even years. However, it’s still useful to know how to identify termites in case you do come across one.
Termites look different depending on their role in the colony. While worker and soldier termites are cream-colored and wingless, the termite swarmers, which are responsible for reproduction, are dark brown to black with long, translucent wings.
Why Do Termites Come Inside?
Because termites can damage so many items in your home or business including floors, walls, support beams, and furniture, taking steps to deter them from coming inside is the best way to save time and money.
Termites are attracted to humid environments, and they also need a way to get inside of a building in the first place. Having excess moisture around your property makes your home or business more appealing to these destructive pests, and one of the main ways they get inside is through soil to wood contact.
How Can You Prevent Termites?
Because termites need a moist environment to thrive, the best overall way to deter them is by removing or reducing humidity both inside of the building and around the property. You can also take steps to make it more difficult for termites to enter your building. Here are a few of the simplest and most effective prevention tips.
Start reducing moisture by fixing leaky pipes and faucets around the property.
Then, further reduce humidity by using dehumidifiers and ensuring good ventilation especially in basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
One of the most important termite prevention steps is to limit soil to wood contact by installing a barrier between the building’s foundation and the dirt.
Remove any water damaged wood from the property.
Keep firewood dry and neatly stacked at least 30 feet away from the exterior of the home of business.
Throw out any decaying organic matter in your yard this includes things like leaf piles and grass clippings.
Keep in mind that while these measures are a good way to get started deterring termite infestations, they don’t ensure you’ll never have a termite problem.
What’s The Best Way To Prevent And Control Termites?
If you focus on termite prevention tips, you can reduce the chances of an infestation. However, termites can be a difficult pest to deter and even harder to remove once they get inside. The only completely effective way to keep your home free of termites is with help from the experts at Insect IQ, Inc.
We are a family-owned and operated company, and we provide both residential and commercial pest control. Our trained technicians provide ongoing termite prevention assistance you can count on, and we can also remove any current infestations in a cost-effective and reliable manner. Find out more and get started today by giving us a call at (209) 353-9073.