Termites cause an average of over $20 billion in damage to crops and structures across the United States every year. If you discover these wood-chomping pests in your home, you can expect to spend upwards of $3000 repairing the damage left behind. That's something you most definitely want to avoid, so let's take a look at a few tips to help prevent termites in your home alongside professional termite treatment in Knoxville, TN.

What Do Termites Need to Survive

First and foremost, let's talk about what termites need to survive. If you can eliminate these needs, then you can drastically reduce the threat of termites infesting your property. The three main things that termites need for survival are wood, water, and soil.

• Wood - Cellulose is the primary food source for termites, so they will seek out materials that contain it. Wood is high in cellulose, so it is a termite colony's number one food source.
• Water - Like all living things, termites require a water source for survival. The source of this water is not particularly important. They will be equally happy with rainwater or moisture from leaky pipes!
• Soil - There is a misconception that termites live in wood, but that is not the case. They build their nests underground in the soil and create mud tubes that link to aboveground sources of food. These mud tubes are one of the key signs that your home has a termite infestation.

Keeping this information in mind, let's look at a few tips that can help you avoid a termite infestation. These are not a replacement for termite treatment in Knoxville but should be used as a supplement for added protection against these unwanted pests.

1 - Keep Wood Storage Away From Your Home

1 - Keep Wood Storage Away From Your Home

Having your woodpile close to the house may be convenient when you need to grab a few logs; however, this is a bad idea in terms of pest control! A woodpile is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for termites! According to the National Pest Association, you should keep all firewood, sawdust, and other untreated wood off the ground and a minimum of 20 feet away from your home's foundation. This will make it more difficult for termites to travel into your home from the woodpile.

2 - Consider Using Rubber Mulch

Another common garden feature that could make your home more welcoming to termites is garden mulch. Mulch feeds the soil with nutrients and helps it retain moisture, making it the perfect habitat for a termite colony. In addition to getting professional termite treatment in Knoxville to deter termites, consider using rubber mulch as an alternative. This is readily available at most home improvement stores.

3 - Keep Trees and Bushes Under Control

Termites and other pests can use leaves, branches, and tree limbs as pathways to reach your house! They can also hide in overgrown greenery. It is good practice to keep your lawn mown and your trees and bushes trimmed back regularly to make it more difficult for termites and other pests to find access to your home.

4 - Seal Potential Entry Points

Termites and other types of pests can access your home through even the tiniest of gaps, such as cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces, and other potential entry points. It is important to seal any cracks that you find to block entry. You should also cover crawl spaces with plastic sheeting.

5 - Eliminate Water Sources

As noted above, termites and most other pests require access to water to survive. You can help to deter termites by eliminating potential water sources wherever possible. Be vigilant of the following potential water sources:

• Keeping gutters and drains clear of leaves and other debris to avoid standing water due to clogs
• Repair indoor and outdoor leaks as soon as you notice them to prevent a build-up of moisture
• Ventilating crawlspaces and attics to reduce humidity

Book Professional Termite Treatment in Knoxville, TN

These tips are great preventive measures but are not a replacement for professional termite treatment in Knoxville, TN. Even after following all of this advice, termites may still find a way into your property. Don't wait until termites are already on your property to seek out termite treatment in Knoxville, TN; opt for preventative treatment to protect your home before the pests get inside.

In conclusion, if you want to protect your home from potentially expensive repairs, you must take steps to prevent a termite infestation. By understanding what termites need to survive and implementing the practical tips outlined in this blog—such as storing wood away from your home, using rubber mulch, maintaining your yard, sealing entry points, and eliminating water sources—you can significantly reduce the risk of an infestation. However, these steps should complement, not replace, professional termite treatment in Knoxville, TN. To ensure the best protection, investing in professional services to safeguard your home from these destructive pests before they cause damage is wise.

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Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.