Are you one of those homeowners who has taken every precaution to protect her home against pests? If so, you’re our favorite type of homeowner to work with. Your commitment to regular pest and termite control maintenance makes our jobs easy and rewarding. But even our best customers have been known from time to time to miss some of the important steps required to keep your home and property safe from termites.
When people think of termite control the first thing that comes to mind is usually a house covered in brightly colored tarps. After all, fumigation is the most publicly distinguishable termite control effort. However, true termite control begins long before the tent is raised over your home. Regular maintenance from a termite control professional may even help you prevent ever making it to the fumigation stage.
Often, though, what homeowners miss is the termite risks on their property but outside of their primary residence. Most people don’t realize the structures surrounding their homes that are inviting termites into their lives. When homeowners focus only on termite protection for their actual home, they’re likely to miss the risks posed by the following elements on their property.
Barns, Sheds, and Detached Garages
Do you have a detached garage, barn, or shed on your property? If so, you may not be considering it in your termite control plans. We frequently hear from homeowners who made the mistake of letting their outbuildings fend for themselves when it comes to pests and who are now paying for it dearly. You see, once a termite has made it onto your property, it’s only a matter of time until they make their way into your home. If your termite control specialist isn’t addressing the potential termite issues facing the additional structures on your property it’s high time you find someone new to work with.
Dead, Dying, and Fallen Trees
In Florida, we get our fair share of harsh weather and it’s not unusual to see large trees and big branches toppled over and left for months or even years. Does this sound familiar? Maybe you think the fallen tree on your property makes a nice place for your children to climb and play, or maybe you just don’t have the tools or resources to get rid of it. Whatever the reason, that downed tree is more of a hazard than you might think.
The actual role of termites in nature is to eat dead and dying trees and plants and reduce them back to the soil that they came from. The termites that are ravaging your fallen tree are just doing what they do best. The problem is that they don’t know the difference between your dead tree and your back deck. To termites, wood is wood and wood is dinner. If you currently have a dead or dying tree on your property, we urge you to get rid of it before it becomes a termite control nightmare.
Firewood Piles
While fireplaces get far less action here in Florida than they do in states farther north, it’s not uncommon to see firewood stacked up in preparation for a cozy bonfire, or a woodfired summer barbeque. Just like the fallen trees mentioned above, piles like these are a termite’s dream. By all means, we think you should continue to collect firewood, but we want to encourage you to do so responsibly. For instance, it’s ideal to stack wood away from your home or any other wooden structure and on top of concrete rather than directly on the ground. By making minor adjustments you can maintain a safe barrier between your woodpile and any termites that would like to make a meal of it.
Wooden Fences and Decks
Wood is one of the most common fencing and decking materials in the world. It’s easy, attractive, and relatively inexpensive to install. It’s also termite food. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we should eliminate all wood fencing and decking, but it does mean that if you have wood fencing on your property you should be aware of the inherent risks. The biggest termite control problem usually occurs at the point where the untreated fence or deck meets the treated house. Before you know it, your privacy fence or backyard patio may become a termite super highway counteracting the years of effective termite control you’ve invested in.
Effective termite control requires the homeowner and their pest control partner to be consistent and thorough. When it comes to fighting America’s least favorite pest, you’ve got to go big or else. However, many homeowners need professional help to spot the areas in and around their homes that are inviting unwanted bugs. If you are in need of a free consultation like that, give us a call. We’d love to send a termite control specialist out to your home to assist you.
