Hi, I’m a termite. Won’t tell you my name because my comrades would kick my antennae if they found out I told you what I’m about to tell you. Sorry that it can’t be more personal. But I’ve got to make sure I’m protected. Just like you should be from the likes of me and my kind. And I’m going to tell you how to do it. Not out of the goodness of my heart, mind you. It’s just that I’ve always wanted to get published. And I figure a meaty blog is the way to go.
OK, the first thing to know is that nobody escapes. In fact, it’s been said that there are two types of homes – those infested with termites and those that will be. There’s just no place to run. Even moving to a different state won’t help. We lurk in all of them, including Hawaii. In fact, the pineapple state has the highest infestation rate – 15.1 % of the homes there count us as live-ins. In the Continental United States, Georgia is the most generous with housing, with 5.5% of the residences boasting non-paying termite tenants.
What we’re especially fond of are homes built of concrete. I can hear you now – “But I thought termites were woodetarians.” True enough. It’s just that cracks in the concrete are fantastic entryways for me and the crew. We can slip through cracks no bigger than 1/64th of an inch! We also can mosey on in alongside plumbing pipes or places where underground wires run into a house. And, of course, any place a wood wall sits atop concrete is an open invitation. Treated lumber won’t always do the trick. We have no problem building mud tunnels right over treated wood to reach our target destinations – typically those very nutritious 2x4’s or the even more satisfying 2x6’s. We’ll also make a smorgasbord out furniture, cardboard boxes, drywall paper, and anything else made of wood. Yum town!
So how do you keep us out? Definitely not by showing us the door. We’ll eat it. But if you’re serious about trouncing termites, here’s what I would do:
1. Install a good termite monitoring system. For a couple of hundred bucks, you’ll get ample warning of any uninvited wood-chomping guests stopping by for a snack.
2. Protect your home with termite barriers. You have a choice of three types – chemical, physical, and biological. All are great at sending us packing for the nearest home that isn’t as prepared as yours.
3. Make sure wood siding, latticework, door and window frames, and the like are at least six inches above ground. Wood to ground contact gives us instant access to your home sweet home. And the feast within.
4. We like it wet, so keep moisture from accumulating near the foundation of your home. Gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks are very effective water-diverters.
5. Minimize humidity in crawl spaces. You’ll keep things a whole lot drier with vents that are free of obstructions such as leaves.
6. Avoid storing lumber, firewood, or other wood near a foundation or inside of a crawl space. For obvious reasons. Wood…termites…hello.
7. Cut back on the mulching. Mulch is a moisture-retainer and a very loud call to termites everywhere to come on down and enjoy the damp.
Well, there it is. Straight from the source. Hope it helps. Gotta dash now. I’m due at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival.
If you’d like more information about protecting your home from termites, I’ll be happy to assist you. And, of course, if you dream of finding the perfect Laguna Beach home at the perfect price, I’m available to help you reach your goals. As one of the area’s premier Coastal Property Experts, I can answer all of your questions and help you discover the numerous opportunities the Laguna Beach Real Estate market has to offer.
Feel free to contact me at 949.922.8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com.
Regards,
Hillary Caston
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