Almost every home in the Sacramento area will eventually have termites. It is recommended that you have a licensed professional check your home at least once a year for termites. If, however, you choose not to hire a Certified Termite Iinspector, do a routine maintenance check of your home's structure.
- Termites most often enter your home through the foundation. A crawlspace with an adequate clearance of at least 18 inches is one of the few exposed areas of a home that can be inspected easily for signs of termite activity.
- Check for excessive mold or water stains on wood. This indicates that there is a leak somewhere in your home. Remember, termites are drawn to moisture. The water can also support fungus growth and dryrot damage.
- You may want to add a moisture barrier to relieve moisture in your crawlspace. A moisture barrier is made of 6 to 8 mil plastic that covers around 80 percent of the floor of your crawlspace. Put down a moisture barrier only after you have checked for all water leaks.
- Inspect the exterior of your home, particularly those built on concrete slabs. Pay close attention to your exterior foundation, siding and wood. Remember, moist wood is vulnerable to termite attack.
- Check your foundation for mud tubes. Siding should be a minimum of six inches above the soil level so that you can inspect the foundation for termite tubes.
- Look for cracks in your foundation that may indicate a crack in the footer. Termites can use a gap of only 1/32-inch to gain access to your home.
- If you have an earth filled porch, check for any water seeping under the siding or onto foundation wood members. Caulk those cracks.
- Inspect your entryways, window frames and door frames for moisture or termite damage. Check your roof and ceilings for water damaged areas. Water drainage problems can create conditions that may lead to a secondary or above-ground termite infestation.
- Check your decks and patio covers for termite mud tubes.
- Landscape timbers, even pressure-treated timbers, may decay. Probe the timbers with a screwdriver for signs of damage. Termites will eat redwood!
- Flower planter boxes made of wood or masonry that are attached to the house can provide termites easy access to your house without being seen. Move the soil away from the house and check for any termite activity.
- Check for mud tubes on any structural wood. If you find subterranean termite tubes, call Arden Termite & Pest Control to have your home treated to exterminate the termites with Termidor before they can cause further damage.
- Check for excessive mold or water stains on wood. This indicates that
there is a leak somewhere in your home. Remember, termites are drawn
to moisture.
- Check your clothes dryer vent periodically to make sure the vent is
not blowing warm, moist air into the crawl space. Clothes dryer ducts
should always vent outside your home.
- If you suspect termite problems, call Arden Termite & Pest Control to reduce chances of further damage.
Local Pest Control and Termite Control