The Secret To Termite-Proofing Your McKinney Property

3/16/2020

Not many pests cause as much trouble as termites do. For one, termites cost US property owners an average of 5 billion dollars each year. That is an absurdly high amount for such small pests. How is it that termites are able to do that kind of damage? We are about to find out, along with our secret to termite-proofing your McKinney property.

A Brief Description Of Termites

Without going into too much detail, termites are subterranean pests that feed on wood to survive. Within each colony of termites, there are workers, soldiers, and reproductives each with their own important jobs. Often described as white ants, termites can be identified by their white or cream-colored segmented bodies. Working together, termites build homes outside of homes underground and tunnel inside to feed off structural wood.

Factors That Increase Your Home’s Likelihood Of A Termite Infestation

Fun fact, most termites are picky eaters. This means they will not eat just any kind of wood, but only wood that has been softened. Typically this happens with water damage and rot. If your home’s structural wood has been negatively affected in this way, it’s chances of having termite problems rise drastically. Most often, homes are affected in this way over time by leaks, water buildup, and high humidity.

One other thing that makes your home more accessible to termites is soil directly touching its structural wood. Because termites are subterranean, having a direct connection from the ground to your home’s wood makes it easy for them to invade. It also allows them to stay off your radar as they do not have to build visible mud tubes crawling up your exterior foundation to get inside.

How You Can Make Your Home Less Attractive To Termites

Assuming termites have not already eaten their way into your McKinney home, here are some great ways you can make it less attractive to future invaders.

Inspect your home for water-damaged or rotting wood. Have this wood repaired or replaced and retreated to best deter termites.
Address leaky piping within your home.
Eliminate sources of standing water that are directly touching your home’s wood.
Check your gutters to make sure they are properly channeling water away from your home’s foundation. Make repairs as needed.
Use dehumidifiers around particularly humid areas of your home such as basements and crawlspaces.
Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between your home’s structural wood and the exterior soil around it.
Remove any fallen trees, stumps, or other organic debris from your property.
Refrain from using mulch, especially close to your home’s exterior.

The Best Way To Keep Termites Off Your Property

At the end of the day, there is no good way to know your efforts are keeping your McKinney home termite-free. If termites have invaded, without a professional eye, you may never know they are around, that is until the damage is significant and becomes noticeable. Trust us when we tell you, you don’t want to spot termites after they have severely damaged your home.

To ensure your property and home remain termite-free, year-round, we have a great option for you here at Around The Block Pest Control. Our termite control is designed to create a barrier around your home that kills termites when they try to cross it. This barrier also eliminates any existing termites that might already be causing trouble.

If you are ready to get your home the termite protection it needs, we are ready to help. Give us a call today to discuss your options or to schedule a service visit for your McKinney property.

Tags: home pest control | termites | termite control

The Secret To Termite-Proofing Your McKinney Property

3/16/2020

Not many pests cause as much trouble as termites do. For one, termites cost US property owners an average of 5 billion dollars each year. That is an absurdly high amount for such small pests. How is it that termites are able to do that kind of damage? We are about to find out, along with our secret to termite-proofing your McKinney property.

A Brief Description Of Termites

Without going into too much detail, termites are subterranean pests that feed on wood to survive. Within each colony of termites, there are workers, soldiers, and reproductives each with their own important jobs. Often described as white ants, termites can be identified by their white or cream-colored segmented bodies. Working together, termites build homes outside of homes underground and tunnel inside to feed off structural wood.

Factors That Increase Your Home’s Likelihood Of A Termite Infestation

Fun fact, most termites are picky eaters. This means they will not eat just any kind of wood, but only wood that has been softened. Typically this happens with water damage and rot. If your home’s structural wood has been negatively affected in this way, it’s chances of having termite problems rise drastically. Most often, homes are affected in this way over time by leaks, water buildup, and high humidity.

One other thing that makes your home more accessible to termites is soil directly touching its structural wood. Because termites are subterranean, having a direct connection from the ground to your home’s wood makes it easy for them to invade. It also allows them to stay off your radar as they do not have to build visible mud tubes crawling up your exterior foundation to get inside.

How You Can Make Your Home Less Attractive To Termites

Assuming termites have not already eaten their way into your McKinney home, here are some great ways you can make it less attractive to future invaders.

Inspect your home for water-damaged or rotting wood. Have this wood repaired or replaced and retreated to best deter termites.
Address leaky piping within your home.
Eliminate sources of standing water that are directly touching your home’s wood.
Check your gutters to make sure they are properly channeling water away from your home’s foundation. Make repairs as needed.
Use dehumidifiers around particularly humid areas of your home such as basements and crawlspaces.
Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between your home’s structural wood and the exterior soil around it.
Remove any fallen trees, stumps, or other organic debris from your property.
Refrain from using mulch, especially close to your home’s exterior.

The Best Way To Keep Termites Off Your Property

At the end of the day, there is no good way to know your efforts are keeping your McKinney home termite-free. If termites have invaded, without a professional eye, you may never know they are around, that is until the damage is significant and becomes noticeable. Trust us when we tell you, you don’t want to spot termites after they have severely damaged your home.

To ensure your property and home remain termite-free, year-round, we have a great option for you here at Around The Block Pest Control. Our termite control is designed to create a barrier around your home that kills termites when they try to cross it. This barrier also eliminates any existing termites that might already be causing trouble.

If you are ready to get your home the termite protection it needs, we are ready to help. Give us a call today to discuss your options or to schedule a service visit for your McKinney property.

Tags: home pest control | termites | termite control

The Secret To Termite-Proofing Your McKinney Property

3/16/2020

Not many pests cause as much trouble as termites do. For one, termites cost US property owners an average of 5 billion dollars each year. That is an absurdly high amount for such small pests. How is it that termites are able to do that kind of damage? We are about to find out, along with our secret to termite-proofing your McKinney property.

A Brief Description Of Termites

Without going into too much detail, termites are subterranean pests that feed on wood to survive. Within each colony of termites, there are workers, soldiers, and reproductives each with their own important jobs. Often described as white ants, termites can be identified by their white or cream-colored segmented bodies. Working together, termites build homes outside of homes underground and tunnel inside to feed off structural wood.

Factors That Increase Your Home’s Likelihood Of A Termite Infestation

Fun fact, most termites are picky eaters. This means they will not eat just any kind of wood, but only wood that has been softened. Typically this happens with water damage and rot. If your home’s structural wood has been negatively affected in this way, it’s chances of having termite problems rise drastically. Most often, homes are affected in this way over time by leaks, water buildup, and high humidity.

One other thing that makes your home more accessible to termites is soil directly touching its structural wood. Because termites are subterranean, having a direct connection from the ground to your home’s wood makes it easy for them to invade. It also allows them to stay off your radar as they do not have to build visible mud tubes crawling up your exterior foundation to get inside.

How You Can Make Your Home Less Attractive To Termites

Assuming termites have not already eaten their way into your McKinney home, here are some great ways you can make it less attractive to future invaders.

Inspect your home for water-damaged or rotting wood. Have this wood repaired or replaced and retreated to best deter termites.
Address leaky piping within your home.
Eliminate sources of standing water that are directly touching your home’s wood.
Check your gutters to make sure they are properly channeling water away from your home’s foundation. Make repairs as needed.
Use dehumidifiers around particularly humid areas of your home such as basements and crawlspaces.
Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between your home’s structural wood and the exterior soil around it.
Remove any fallen trees, stumps, or other organic debris from your property.
Refrain from using mulch, especially close to your home’s exterior.

The Best Way To Keep Termites Off Your Property

At the end of the day, there is no good way to know your efforts are keeping your McKinney home termite-free. If termites have invaded, without a professional eye, you may never know they are around, that is until the damage is significant and becomes noticeable. Trust us when we tell you, you don’t want to spot termites after they have severely damaged your home.

To ensure your property and home remain termite-free, year-round, we have a great option for you here at Around The Block Pest Control. Our termite control is designed to create a barrier around your home that kills termites when they try to cross it. This barrier also eliminates any existing termites that might already be causing trouble.

If you are ready to get your home the termite protection it needs, we are ready to help. Give us a call today to discuss your options or to schedule a service visit for your McKinney property.

Tags: home pest control | termites | termite control