To protect your home from termites you should avoid using old paper or boxes to store your possessions. They are not airtight and attract termites. Instead invest in airtight sealed plastic storage containers. They are simple but they will protect your heirlooms and other valuables. Read on for more information. Listed below are some of the main reasons why your home is susceptible to termites. Using these precautions can help you keep your belongings safe.
Moisture
Termites use moisture to increase the moisture content of their food. They have a pair of salivary reservoirs that are closely related to their salivary glands. These reservoirs also known as water sacs are thin translucent ellipsoid structures found on every member of the caste. While the individual termites are small and may not seem to make much of a difference when compared to their colonies moisture is an important factor.
While most insects require little food they thrive when they have an abundance of water to drink. This is especially true for certain species of termites. Subterranean termites and dampwood termites are primarily wood-based pests but they are also capable of penetrating various materials. Therefore weak structures and leaks can create a huge termite problem. If you don’t address these problems you could be risking an expensive home repair.
Moreover termites can communicate by manipulating the moisture content of wood in a variety of ways. For example a higher moisture content in wood can reduce the sound of walking and chewing while a lower moisture content is advantageous to long-range communication. In addition termites are also sensitive to the composition and shape of wood so they can find food that is more conducive to their communication. They can detect the presence of moisture in a home through its faecal pellets.
Wood
Termites are attracted to wood structures because it can be decayed. Once a swarm has landed on a home termites will move into the structure. Adult termites will develop wings or alates and leave their current colonies to find a new home. The winged termites will lose their wings when they find a new home and drill into the wood structure. Fortunately there are many ways to control termites in your home.
To control the infestation you have to eliminate sources of water and moisture. A few easy things you can do to reduce moisture are to install functional gutters and downspouts and to reduce the humidity of your home. Avoid planting plants with dense foliage near the foundation of your home. Also avoid planting wood that makes contact with your house’s foundation such as attached fence posts. Instead leave a gap of at least 18 inches between the wood and the soil around the foundation of your home.
Proper ventilation is crucial to reducing the risk of termites. Keeping your house dry is essential to preventing a infestation. You should always ensure that your plumbing and gutters are free of clogs and leaves which can create an ideal breeding ground for termites. Also make sure to fix leaks and replace cracked caulking. If you’re having trouble preventing the infestation you should remove trees that can block sunlight and slow the evaporation of rain.
Warmth
Many people think that warm weather is the main reason for their problem but this is not entirely true. Warmth causes termites in many different ways. Some termites prefer to live in the ground while others prefer moist areas above ground. While the climate can play a role warmth also makes them more likely to attack a structure. Several studies have indicated that heat causes termites to grow more rapidly. So how do you protect your home from termites?
When it gets warm termites dig deeper into the ground. They have been known to live forty inches below the surface. However locating their colony is not always easy. Whether you live in a southern or northern region it is important to know the local climate before you can make precautions against termite damage. And if you think that your area is warm be prepared to use a termite control product.
Temperatures must be above 10degC for wood termites to survive. Areas near heating ducts and other sources of heat are ideal for these creatures. Once temperatures drop below 16degC they will die. Wood termites will swarm in warm locations around spring. Soil particles in the nests will also keep termites’ colonies liveable. Soil particles will also help them survive cold temperatures. If your area is cold however the termites will move to a warmer region in your home.
Condensation on pipes
If you want to prevent termites you should dehumidify your home as much as possible. This is because moisture from pipes and condensation on them can be home to termites. Termites can wreak havoc on your property because they can move through your home from one area to another and latch on to anything. The best way to protect your home is to fortify it by installing a dehumidifier.
Excessive moisture inside a home can lead to several problems including discomfort building damage and even health complications. Water seepage leaky pipes and poor ventilation can lead to excessive moisture levels. In addition to termite infestation excessive humidity in a home can encourage other pests to infest it. Every year termite infestations damage homes worth billions of dollars. If you notice puddles of water near leaking pipes you should repair them immediately.
Another common cause of termites is condensation on pipes. It may not seem like a problem at first but this water from your air conditioner is an attractive home for termites. Condensation on pipes is a sign of a larger problem in your home’s HVAC system and structure. Furthermore the rot and mold present a health hazard and termites will seek them out. To protect your home from such issues you should ensure your pipes are well-insulated to prevent condensation from damaging the surfaces.
Waterholes
In Kenya termites live in a waterhole that is home to both elephants and a red-billed quelea. Both animals use the waterhole to reproduce and these creatures need to survive before the waterhole dries up. To survive the creatures use extraordinary strategies. Some animals build cocoons underground while others live as eggs in dust. Elephants use waterholes to roll in the mud and a single herd can remove tons of mud at a time.
In southern Kenya elephants build waterholes to attract frogs and other creatures. The waterholes also harbor chameleons and dung beets which are known to attract termites. Waterholes in arid regions are the perfect breeding ground for these creatures. These animals are not only attractive to the termites but also to other pests including ants. To get rid of termites you should keep the area clean.
Wildlife’s scavenging habits have eroded termitaria which are a prime target for termites. As a result waterholes now contain more sodium than potassium which is beneficial to wildlife but harmful for termites. Moreover they can increase the density of woody vegetation in areas with high amounts of sulphate. Before you start building your own waterhole make sure to do some research on the subject.
Frass
The term ‘frass’ refers to a substance produced by insects that feed on blood. Frass appears as black powder pellets or mixed materials and is typically located near the source of the infestation. A pile of frass will be located near a home’s foundation attic or basement. Besides being a food source frass is also used by some insects and termites for construction. Whether or not frass is present in a home can be difficult to diagnose if the infestation is small or extensive.
Termites can cause significant damage to wooden structures and their appearance will suffer. Their droppings called frass are one of the first signs of an infestation. While frass is mostly wood it takes on the color of the wood it’s been infested. Therefore frass from pale wood will appear lighter than that from darker wood. If you see frass there’s a high chance you have a termite infestation.
When you see frass the termites have migrated to another location probably looking for a better food source. If you haven’t seen any termite droppings yet it’s likely that the problem is with your home. In this case you may have to clean the area and begin the termite treatment. However if you don’t see the termites you can still see the frass and determine if it’s worth the expense.
