Knowing WHAT to look for can SAVE you thousands of dollars!
Do you see swarming termites with wings in your home or in the soil around your home?
In South Jersey, subterranean termite swarmers are usually seen in the spring or early summer. They may appear suddenly in your home by the hundreds, on a warm, humid day. This usually causes panic in the household, however, swarmers are harmless to you and your family.
* Image courtesy of Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
Do you see mud tubes on outside walls, wooden beams, in basements or in crawl spaces?
Termites are subterranean creatures and they do not do well when exposed to light. They build mud tubes as a way to travel from one place to another while remaining shielded from the light.
* Image courtesy of USDA Forest Service Archive, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Do you have cracked or bubbling paint? If you do, this may indicate the presence of mud tubes for traveling termites.
Do you have wood that sounds hollow when tapped?
What can YOU do to DECREASE the chances your home will have a Termite Infestation?
Termites like all living creatures are attracted to food and water sources. Start by eliminating moisture around your home and by removing potential food sources.
ELIMINATE MOISTURE
- Repair leaks in faucets, pipes, and air conditioning units
- Avoid water accumulation near your home’s foundation
- Divert water away from foundations with properly functioning downspouts, gutters, and splash bocks
- Keep gutters and down-spouts clean
- Get rid of standing water on your property (this will protect against mosquitoes as well)
- Keep all vents clear and open
- Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes
- Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation
- Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard
REMOVE POTENTIAL FOOD SOURCES
- Keep firewood, lumber, and paper away from your home’s foundation
- Get rid of stumps and dead wood on your property
- Place screens on outside vents
- Check decks and wooden fences for damage and rot
- Keep an 18-inch barrier between your home and landscaping
- Do not mulch up against your home’s foundation
- Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.
Even your best efforts may not prevent infestation.
If you suspect that termites have infested your home, Contact us for a FREE, thorough Termite Inspection at the first sign of trouble.
AB-Con Termite and Pest Control
Serving South Jersey for over 40 years
Camden County, Burlington County, and Gloucester County