Keeping your Raleigh home high and dry is the golden rule of termite prevention. Termites can fly. Termites can tunnel underground. Termites can simply walk to and from places much like ants can. There isn't much you can do to keep 100% of termites away from your house 100% of the time. By keeping the wooden portion of your house above the soil, termites won't be able to get to it from underground. By making sure the house structure stays completely dry, even the flying termites won't be able to establish colonies within your walls and floors. That is why the pros say that it's important to keep your home high and dry, however, there are exceptions to every rule.
Termites in Raleigh need access and moisture to invade your home. Since they can always find access, whether it be by flying during the swarming season or through their underground tunnels, your best bet is to do what you can to minimize moisture. Keeping moisture out of homes in humid areas is a lot harder than it is in dryer climates, so moist climates have a bigger problem with termites. That said, things can happen even in dry climates that create the perfect environment for termites. Elements that may attract termites to your home include:
Leaking pipes within walls
Past floods that weren't allowed to completely dry
Raised Earth, gravel, or planters that sit against the home's exterior
Homes in high humidity areas
Homes with evaporative coolers like swamp-coolers
Homes in areas of high rainfall
Homes that recently had a leaky roof or a leaky faucet
Older wooden homes with wood stilts, patio stands, or corner posts sunk in through the foundation
Once the conditions are right to allow termites to infest, termites can start to regulate their environment. They will take your home and create ideal survival conditions. Termites can build mounds in crawlspaces to get the moisture they need to thrive in the soil below your house. That is why getting rid of an established termite colony is next to impossible without professional assistance. Termites stay out of sight and within your walls, so treating the outside of the house isn't as effective as it is for other pests. And the biggest problem is, homeowners can't regularly access the areas of the home that could provide a path to your house. Termites might sneak in through other unsuspecting areas:
Under the foundation
Unseen cavities between vinyl siding and the structure
Through cracks in the foundation concealed under the flooring
Through expansion planks or gaps left in the foundation between add-ons
Along sewer drain points hidden within walls
There are a lot of ways that termites can infiltrate your house, but there are several steps homeowners can take to help keep termites out. Some of those steps include:
Keeping sprinklers from spraying the exterior of the house
Creating a boundary between the wood of your home and the soil
Removing debris from against the side of your house
Removing tree stumps from around the house and nearby in your yard
Using a dehumidifier in the basement, especially in high humidity areas
Call The Experts At The First Sign Of Termite Activity
Pest & Termite Consultants can answer all of your questions about termite control. Call us immediately if you notice signs of termite activity. It is important to deal with termites as soon as you notice them because they've likely built an established colony in your home. In fact, you can have a huge problem without any visible signs at also all, so if you see termite activity, then you have a problem.
The best way to prevent termites is to be proactive. If you're worried about termites, contact our professionals to schedule a termite inspection in Henderson and surrounding areas. We recommend annual termites inspections in areas with humid and rainy conditions or after any possible water damage. Reach out to us today to speak with an expert about our termite control options!