Things You Could Be Doing to Attract Termites – As most of us know, an invasion of termites in your house can cause massive amounts of damage. Yes, these destructive critters can quickly chop through wood, flooring, paint, and wallpaper – they can even threaten the structural integrity of your home. The worst part? Many homeowners are completely unaware of termites in your house until it’s too late! 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), termites damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year. So with those frightening statistics in mind, what causes termites and how do you prevent a termite invasion in the first place? Well, the key to avoiding a termite invasion is to understand what attracts them. In fact, you may be doing some of these things right now and not even be aware of them. To help you out, we take a closer look at what factors can increase your risk of a termite infestation. 

Six Causes of Termites

Here, we share six common causes of termites and how to identify a termite invasion:

  • Stacking Firewood Near Your Home

As their primary food source, termites love wood. During the winter months, many homeowners will stack firewood near their homes so that it’s in an easily accessible spot to grab from. It is recommended that firewood piles are kept at least 20 feet away in order to be safe from a possible infestation. It’s also a good idea to raise the wood off the ground and use concrete slabs or solid metal to create a barrier between the wood and the ground. 

  • Allowing Gutters to Become Clogged

Clogged gutters create a build-up of debris, leaves, and feathers that collect moisture. Next to a damp pile of wood, a backed-up gutter provides ideal conditions for a termite infestation. However, by properly maintaining and cleaning your gutters regularly, you can help avoid termite infestations from occurring in these areas close to your home.  

  • Dead Trees and Stumps 

Dead trees or tree stumps in your yard or garden will eventually begin to rot over time. When this decay starts to happen, the rotting wood will attract termites. Once they’ve devoured the rotting wood, these critters will make their way to the next closest source of food, which may be your home! So best you remove all the deadwood in your yard or garden- particularly ones that are close to your house or garage.

  • Spreading Mulch Too Close to Your Foundation

Many of us love to use mulch in our gardens to help the soil retain moisture and amp up the nutrients. While this may work wonders for our plants, mulch also attracts the dreaded termite. Avoid a close-by termite infestation by making sure mulch is far away from your home’s foundation and regularly monitoring it for termite activity.

  • Dark Areas

Dark or poorly lit areas such as your basement, crawl space, or a wine cellar can also attract termites – especially if you or your family seldom go into these areas. These kinds of places are notorious for holding onto moisture and leaving wooden structural supports open and vulnerable to infestation. The best thing to do is install lights into these areas and inspect them regularly for any suspicious creepy crawlies. 

  • Dead or Rotting Plants

Another usual suspect that attracts termites is unkept or rotting foliage close to your property. Leaving your trees, shrubs, and bushes to overgrow can allow termites to penetrate areas in your garden or yard. If these trees or bushes touch your home’s walls or roof, termites can easily make their way inside your home. Trim all plants regularly and clear away the dead ones from your outside space. It’s a good idea to make sure trees don’t come into contact with your property if possible.

Signs of Possible Termite Infestation: 

If you suspect you may have a termite infestation, look out for the following tell-tale signs: 

  • Blisters in wood flooring: Termites can cause damage to the subfloor, which can make your wooden flooring appear as if it has blisters or experienced water damage.
  • Holes or damaged wood: Wood damage or small holes can start to appear on surfaces like walls and floors. This can be caused by termites chewing through wood.
  • Discarded wings: Look out for discarded termite wings near windows and doors. This is caused when termites swarm out of their nest and discard their wings.
  • Termite droppings: While tunneling and eating through the wood they’re infesting, termites create kick-out holes where they remove their excrement.

Call in the Professionals

If you suspect termites in your house, the best thing to do is to call in professionals immediately. Or, if you just want to chat to us about what causes termites, we’re also happy to help. Whatever your pest control needs, Trust Pest Control Unlimited to handle everything. 

At Pest Control Unlimited, our goal is to provide the best products and services with competitive pricing. We cover all residential and commercial pest maintenance areas from bed bug spray, mice extermination, tick spray, and beyond. Pest Control Unlimited works quickly and efficiently to solve your pest problems fast. To find out more about how we can rid your home of pests, visit our website or give us a call at (888) 649-9919.