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90% of All Termite Damage is from Subterranean

May 31st, 2007 2:20 PM

Termites Except in Alaska subterranean termites are found throughout the United States and are especially common in the Southern California and pacific coastal states.

I recently had my own home fumigated, honestly it's not one of the highlights in the home selling process. Although few states require a termite inspection, many lenders won’t make a loan without one. The best thing you can do is take preventative measures.

Start by having an inspection annually. Most professional companies will perform a FREE inspection. By taking advantage of this service once a year, you can stay on top of any concerns regarding termites. Believe me, it is stressful enough to prepare your home for sale, let alone find out at the last moment that you need to spend thousands on termite treatment and repair and possibly have to vacate your house for several days during tenting.

Here are some tips to prevent termites:

Don't attach wooden trellises to exterior walls.
Keep mulch, wood debris, scrap lumber, sawdust, and firewood away from your home. If you do keep firewood outside your house during the winter, keep it raised off the ground.
Trim all shrubs, bushes and other dense greenery away from the foundation of your home. Plants and bushes close to your homes exterior wall will also be damaged during the fumigation process. Move mulch away from the foundation as well.
Don't bury wood debris near your home.
Remove infested trees and stumps.
Repair leaking faucets and water lines, both indoors and outdoors.
Fix leaky roofs and gutters.
Don't allow leaves to accumulate in gutters and drains.
Grade soil so that water (including air conditioning condensate) runs away from foundations.
Ventilate crawl spaces and attics to reduce humidity.
Ideally, wood siding, stucco, and foam board should be at least six inches away from the ground. No earth to wood contact.
Seal all cracks and holes in your home's foundation, which may provide a handy access point for termites.

For complete termite facts and details consult a professional pest control company. And as always, protect your real estate investment by keeping up with preventative maintenance!

Written by Greg Hetrick, REALTOR®
Thursday, May 31, 2007

Posted by Greg Hetrick on May 31st, 2007 2:20 PMPost a Comment (0)

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