2 Mistakes While Landscaping That Can Lead To A Termite Infestation In Your Home
If you have ever lived with a termite problem, you know how destructive the insects can be when they start to burrow through the structures of a house. Because of this, you may already be taking steps to keep a colony from nesting inside of your house. However, if you make either of the below mistakes while doing landscaping around the outside of your home, you could be inviting the insects inside.
1. Spreading Mulch Right Next to Your House's Foundation
While planning your property's landscape design, you may have decided to plant flowers around the foundation of the house and to cover them with mulch to help keep weeds down and the soil moist. However, the moist soil and the type of mulch you use may be creating the perfect conditions to attract termites.
Especially if you use an untreated wood chip or shredded mulch, the wood from which it is made will break down and rot over time, which will become an attractive food source for termites. And, since the bugs also need water, the moisture underneath the mulch will make it even more likely that termites will explore the area.
Once the termites do start to look around, they may start to look nearby for a place in which to make their nest, which means any unexposed wood on or in your house. If you do want to plant flowers near your house, do so a few feet away from the foundation to give ample space between it and the beds.
2. Allowing Nearby Bushes and Trees to Grow Wild
If you love the visual appeal of wild, overgrown bushes and trees near your house, you are not alone. Termites also love wild-growing vegetation, especially if there are dead branches left inside. Not only will the dead wood attract the termites, but the overgrown branches touching your house create a possible superhighway for termites to enter.
While you do not have to completely give up on the wild look for your bushes and trees, make sure you prune out any dead branches. Also, trim them so that there are a couple of feet between them and your house to make it more difficult for termites to get inside.
Avoiding the above landscaping mistakes can help you reduce the likelihood that termites will crawl into and invade your home's wooden structures. However, there is always a possibility that the insects may find rotted wood in your foundation, crawlspace, or porch in which to make a nest. If this is the case, contact a termite pest control service to have them determine the extent of the infestation and discuss your options for getting rid of the destructive pests.
For more information, contact companies like Lanier Exterminating Service Inc.
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