DIY Termite Prevention

Its January in Texas and we are still finding active termites on homes here in the Houston area.  Many homeowners believe that because its winter, termites aren’t something they should have to worry about.  The Good news is you don’t have to. Here are three simple steps you can take to help keep the termites at bay this year.

Check the soil level around the perimeter of your home.

Doing a simple walk around of your home is one of the best ways you can catch a lot of issues before they turn into bigger issues around your home.  Most landscaped homes have a build up of soil and mulch around the perimeter over time and this can create a huge vulnerability.  A good rule of thumb is 6” of visibility for the slab of your home, meaning; you should have at minimum, 6’ of exposed slab around the entire perimeter of your home. You can often correct this by removing the excess with a shovel.  If the soil level is too high pests like termites, ants and a multitude of other pests have a protected entrance into your home even when the temperature is in the 30’s.

Check for standing water

In Texas, winter is usually a very wet season all the way through February.  Standing water and wet soil around your home can give you a good clue as to where your home will be vulnerable come Spring time.  Moisture is almost always a major contributing factor to every serious infestation and that is especially true for termites.  Standing water can be a good indicator for a small leak or the need to address the grade or irrigation for your property.   Most moisture issues can be addressed by removing heavy clay soils and replacing them with more porous ones or by installing French drains that can assist in moving the water away from that area.

Remove piles of wood

Having dry wood handy in the colder temperatures can be a valuable commodity for an enjoyable evening on the back porch or just to stay warm by your fireplace in the evening.  Aged dry wood stacked against your house is like inviting them into a free four star meal.  A simple solution is to stack them away from your home on raised platforms.  Any wood stacked against your home can create coverage and feeding sites for not only termites but for roaches, spiders and many other undesirable pests.

If you need any additional information or would like help remedying these issues at your home, feel free to email us at info@excaliburpest.com