Termite-proof Landscaping Tips
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Hello, summer! With the temperatures rising, you probably have BBQs, bonfires and outdoor entertaining on your mind. Just because you can’t see termites doesn’t mean they’re not there.
Termites are most active during the warmer months, but it’s important to know that they don’t hibernate. That means those relentless little buzz saws are eating away at your home year-round. As you do yardwork and landscaping, check out these tips to make sure you’re not making your patio and backyard susceptible to termite invasions.
- Keep at least a 3-foot barrier between bushes and your home’s foundation. Keeping exterior walls dryer will make it harder for subterranean termites to create mud tubes on your foundation walls. It will also help keep termites from tunneling up through shrubs and entering into your home where branches touch your walls. Dead growth on shrubs and trees may also be attractive to termites.
- Avoid piling up mulch around your home. It may look nice, but termites love the moist environment and may use that mulch area to access the foundation of your home. If termites have easy access to the walls of your home, they'll take it. A termite can pass through a 1/16" gap.
- If you use railroad ties or some type of wood as a border around gardens or flower beds, consider replacing them with stones. Wood could attract termites to your home, or termites may have even infested the old railroad ties. It’s best to avoid wood edging all together.
- You’ll probably have firewood on hand for bonfires and s’mores. Remember to avoid stacking it against your house or directly on the ground. Keep firewood at least 5 feet away from the foundation of your home and keep it in a rack to avoid soil contact.
The best way to make sure termites aren’t crashing your next party? Schedule an inspection with a pest professional. Certified Sentricon Specialists® are trained to think like a termite and look for signs of termites or conducive conditions. They can install and service the Sentricon® system as a preventative or curative solution against termites.