Swarming Termites, Arriving Soon To A Neighborhood Near You

Spring is the most common time of year when termite nests release swarmers. These are winged reproductive alates that take to the air to mate and establish new nests. If you don't have termites on your property already, this might be the year. So it is vital that you learn the five things you can do to protect your home, and your equity.

5 Ways To Prevent A Termite Infestation

1. Remove any conditions that allow water to dampen the soil around your home. Termites are attracted to moist soil and damp, rotting wood. If you have gutters that are obstructed or broken, and water is running down the side of your home, not only is that bad for your home, it will make it more attractive to termite swarmers. It is also important to make sure water is flowing away from your foundation. Fill in any areas that allow water to collect near your home.

2. Seal crawl spaces under your home. If you have open crawl spaces, these can be a breeding ground for termites. Applying a protective coating of plastic on top of the soil and on the walls will not only save you money on your energy bills, it will keep moisture and termites from damaging your home.

3. Fix areas where wood and soil meet. The most destructive termites in the U.S. are subterranean termites. These termites establish their nests in the ground and prefer to feed on wood that is touching the ground. It is best to not give termites easy access to the wood of your home.

4. Move wood away from your exterior walls. If you have a wood pile, construction material, or some other wood products near your home, it is a good idea to move them 25 feet away, and elevate them. The last thing you need is a termite food source next to your home.

5. Get proactive termite protection. The best way to prevent termites from getting into your home this spring is to have a professional pest control company install a bait system to monitor for termites, and strike back at colonies, even as they are establishing themselves. At All-American, we protect homes with the award-winning Sentricon® System with Always Active™, which uses termite workers to bring a neutralizing agent back to their colonies. This system is always active and only affects termites.

Here in Tennessee, it isn't a matter of if you'll get termites, but a matter of when. Get your guard up and keep it up, so that this spring, when termites swarms are most likely to happen, your home will be safe. You don't get a second chance to prevent termite damage.