Of the many pest species that invade homes in Alabama, termites are among the most dreaded. That’s because while all pests can be destructive, termites can literally destroy your house. These insects feed on wood cellulose, a diet that compels them to tunnel their way through wooden walls, floors, and support structures, gradually hollowing them out. A termite infestation can cause irreparable damage in a matter of months. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get rid of termites, either.
As scary as termites can be, don’t despair if you find out they’re in your Alabama home. There are reliable ways to end termite infestations – and stop them from occurring in the first place. Continue reading for some great termite prevention and removal tips.
Top 5 Termite Prevention Tips & Removal Methods
- Careful Wood Storage
Many homeowners in Alabama keep firewood piles right up against their homes and leave brush piles in their lawns throughout the year – don’t do these things. Termites are particularly drawn to dead wood, so piles of it will make them much more likely to target your property. While termites might first merely target the woodpiles, sooner or later it’s likely that they’ll migrate to your actual house. Be sure to store all lumber of firewood piles at least 20 feet away from your home to mitigate the risk.
- Avoid Moist Mulch
Many homes in Alabama have garden beds bordering the home that are insulated by a thick layer of mulch. When this mulch becomes wet from watering or rain, it turns into a major termite attractant. Termites are particularly drawn to moist wood, so a border of sodden mulch around your house is likely to invite these pests in for dinner. For garden beds that border your home, make sure to use cedar mulch, which termites are actually repelled by. Alternatively, consider using gravel to insulate your garden beds.
- Borate Treatments
One of the best termite prevention tips is to treat any of the wood surfaces in your home with borate. The chemical compound of boron and oxygen, borate has been found as an effective means of deterring and killing wood-boring insects like termites. When termites eat borate-infused wood, their digestive systems will fail, causing the pests to starve to death. While borate isn’t a perfect shield against termite infestations in Alabama, it does reduce the risk of your house falling victim.
- Bait Stations
One of the best ways to both prevent and get rid of termites is to install termite bait stations around your home in Alabama. These subterranean stations contain a bait that is even more appealing to termites than dead wood. The pests will be lured in, consume the bait, and then disperse it throughout their entire colony. Over the course of weeks or months, a well-placed bait system can exterminate an entire colony of termites. For the best results, it may be best to hire a professional pest control company to install and monitor the termite bait stations.
- Professional Termite Extermination
If you want to get rid of termites that have invaded your home, your best bet is to work with a licensed and experienced termite control company in Alabama. Following do-it-yourself termite prevention tips can protect your home from termite invasions but these wood-boring pests can prove shockingly persistent. When you work with professional exterminators, you can rest assured that these experts will use high-quality termite control treatments to completely remove the infestation from your property and prevent future termite issues.
Alabama’s Ultimate Termite Control Company
If you’re looking for termite prevention tips or need help to get rid of termites on your property, let our professionals lend a hand. Give SafeSpray Pest Control a call today if you’re looking for reliable termite control and prevention services in Alabama!