While any pest infestation can be frustrating, there are some pests that are worse than others to find around your San Jose property. Termites are one of the most destructive pests that commonly get into area homes and businesses. Termites can do a great deal of damage to all kinds of wooden structures around your property, and they often go unnoticed for months or even years.
Their ability to eat wood and have large colonies means termites can destroy anything from support beams to flooring to furniture. In the United States, termites are estimated to cost property owners $5 billion each year in termite control and repairs. And, if you were to get a termite infestation, you’d likely spend about 3,000 dollars or more to repair the destruction.
How To Identify Termites
Since termites are often found in places you likely don’t see, like inside walls or attics, there are other signs of an infestation you might notice first. However, it’s not unheard of to see termites, so knowing what they look like is the first step in keeping your property safe.
Termites can range in color from white to light brown, but it's only the termites in charge of reproduction, called termite swarmers, that have wings. They have thin, oval-shaped bodies and are about half an inch long. They also have pincers near their mouths, six legs, and a pair of antennae.
Six Tips For Keeping Termites Away From Your Property
Since termites are able to do so much property damage, prevention is the cheapest and easiest way to handle these pests. By taking the time to make your home or business less attractive to termites in the first place, you can save yourself a lot of money, time, and stress down the road. While you can’t completely guarantee you’ll never get termites, you can address problems that draw these insects in and reduce the likelihood of an infestation using these six steps:
- As termites need a moist environment to live, start by fixing leaky plumbing.
- Further, reduce moisture issues by using dehumidifiers.
- Keep areas like crawl spaces and attics well-ventilated so they don’t become damp.
- Store firewood at least 30 feet away from the building’s exterior.
- Ensure that firewood is stored in a dry place and is stacked neatly and up off the ground.
- Get rid of any wood that has water damage.
Tips For Sealing Up Termite Access Points
After you’ve taken steps to make your property less appealing to these destructive pests, you should then make it harder for termites to get inside by sealing off entry points. With just a few more simple tricks, you can make it much more difficult for termites to enter your home or business.
- Do your best to limit any soil-to-wood contact.
- Get rid of any decaying matter from your property including dead leaves and grass piles.
- Install a barrier between the building's foundation and soil.
- Fill up any cracks or crevices in the foundation.
Get Comprehensive Termite Control
Because of the damage that termites can do and the problems they can cause, taking proactive steps to prevent them is important. The best way to prevent termites is to work with the pest control professionals at Bay Pest. All of our technicians are highly trained and licensed, and we can control termites around your property. We are able to remove any current infestations in an efficient and effective manner. To find out more, or get a free estimate, contact us today.