Finding out that your house is infested with termites is no fun, especially when the discovery is made during a home inspection for your home sale. Sadly, many homeowners have no idea there is a problem with termites until a lot of damage has already been done.
Termites are sneaky, destructive little pests. Unfortunately, some homeowners attract them to their homes without realizing it. For example, even a little bit of moisture from poor drainage, leaks, or poor ventilation combined with wood can be very alluring for termites. The cellulose in wood is consumed by them for nutrition, and they require moisture, so they don’t dry out. Even soggy soil close to your foundation can be very inviting to termites.
Termites are also attracted to the protection from foam board insulation and exterior wall solutions like Dryvit, a synthetic version of cement siding. They will chew right through them to get to wood. They can also enter the home via cracks in the foundation. Once in, they will find wood and begin to feed on it, thus causing damage to the home. When investigating possible termite infestation, keep an eye out for “mud tubes”, soft or hollow-sounding wood, and visible piles of wings. These all indicate a termite problem.
There are several ways to help prevent a termite infestation in your home:
- Hire a professional to do termite inspections annually.
- Remove cellulose-based debris from around your house. Any sort of organic wood material around your house will attract termites.
- Get rid of any wood that is in direct contact with the ground, like wood lattice or siding, or door/window frames that go to the ground.
- Have your home pre-treated for termites. If you’re going to build a home, set a termite barrier on the land before starting construction.
- Remove cracks and crevices in your home to prevent termite access.
Whether you are selling your home soon or don’t plan to sell for a long time, you want to be sure that termites aren’t causing damage that will mean very expensive repairs and could cause you to lose buyers when selling.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the New River Valley area, contact professional, experienced Realtor Desi Sowers and let her assist you with all your real estate needs. Give her a call today at 540-320-1328