Georgia termite prevention tips any homeowner can use
Are you a Georgia homeowner who's worried about termites infesting your house? Have you recently spotted some suspicious tubes of mud on the foundation of your house? Termite prevention in Georgia is a valuable pest control investment for just about any house in the state, because houses that have taken preventative pest control measures against termites have a much lower risk of dealing with the destructive pests in the future.
We listed out five termite prevention tips any Georgia homeowner can add to their house maintenance plans. Keep reading to learn more!
Tip #1: Thorough Inspection
Inspecting your home regularly for termites is the best thing you can do to prevent a long-term termite infestation. Use a high-quality flashlight and map out the layout of your house to record and track any termite findings throughout the years. Keeping records like this can be incredibly helpful to exterminators in the event that they need to treat your house.
Tip #2: The Space Between
Termites are subterranean insects, which means the ground is their main method of travel and infiltration. This is why it's vital to create proper space between perimeter landscape material ( wood shavings, bark, mulch, etc.) and your house's foundation. Landscape material that makes direct contact with the home not only creates an easier path for termites, it also makes it more difficult to inspect your foundation for signs of termite activity.
Tip #3: Treated Lumber
Always build new fences, decks, porches and railings with pressure-treated wood. Although termites can still infest treated wood, they are less inclined to prefer it over any untreated wood available in their proximity. It's recommended by termite pest control experts to have 6 inches or more of space between the pressure-treated wood and the foundation and/or side of your house. Just like with landscape material, it is important to keep any wood from touching the outside of your house.
Tip #4: Reduce Moisture
Moisture can be a problem in many areas of your house, and termites will find every single spot with a higher moisture level. Termites prefer and flourish in humid, non-arid environments. Having the proper drainage around the foundation of your house is key and could be as simple as making sure downspouts are working properly and draining water away from the foundation. If your house is on a basement or crawl space, reduction of moisture and humidity in those areas is also very important. Operational crawl space vents, a properly sealed foundation, French drains, and even dehumidifiers can all assist in reducing moisture and humidity levels around your house.
Tip #5: Preventative Barriers
Preventative barriers for termites involve applying a product (termiticide) around the perimeter of the house's foundation. The two most common forms of preventative barriers are liquid barrier products (ie. Termidor) or bait stations (ie. Trelona Baiting System.) Applications can be done by a homeowner with extra attention given to all the product's labeling and installation instructions.
Because of the types of chemicals used and the potential for injury if the product is improperly handled, it is highly recommended to have a state-licensed pest control company, like BREDA Pest Management, professionally apply termite prevention barriers to ensure your home stays termite-free. An added benefit to having a pest control company treat your house for termites is that many companies, including BREDA, offer a warranty and on-going treatment plans performed by exterminators that will keep your house as inhospitable to termites as possible.
If you're tired of wondering what the pests in or around your home are doing and just want them gone, don't hesitate to give us a call. The BREDA Guarantee promises to protect your home and keep it protected—no matter the circumstances. Schedule an inspection online or give us a call at 770-466-6700.
