6 Ways To Prevent Termites Infestation

Living in a good home with great furniture feels good. However, there are some pests that can destroy the beauty of a beautiful house. Carpenter ants, beetles and carpenter bees are some insects that destroy wood and timber in many Singapore homes. But the most common insects that Singaporeans complain about are the termites. When they infest a house they cause destruction and make the home insecure for living. They can damage equipment made of timber that include desks, book cabinets, bed frames and even destroying the entire house. If these termites are not discovered in time, this can even lead to economic losses.

Singapore is a country known to experience termite infestations. This has made people look for ways to control the infestation in their households. If the termite control is not done, you will have to spend a lot of money on untimely repairs. Termites are dangerous insects that require moisture to survive. They grow well on damp soil where they build a series of underground nests. They then create tunnels which they use to get wooden parts of your home and to their colony. Here are 6 ways to prevent termite infestation in your home.

1. Do regular inspection of termite infestation all over your house
Inspecting your house is one of the most important steps towards preventing termites in your home. The inspection involves making sure that any structure made of wood and other materials that attract termites are in good condition and inspecting parts of your house that are made of wood. Generally, the inspection involves inspecting the entire home. If you think you do not have the skills to carry out the inspection, there are several professional services in Singapore that can help you. Signs of termite infestation in your house include cracks or holes in window and door frames, and presence of sawdust under structures made of wood.

2. Ensure your house does have any sources of moisture
Many species of termites survive well in areas that have a lot of moisture. In fact an entire colony of termites can survive of a few drops of water. It is therefore important to ensure you house is free from moisture. Make sure there are no leaking or broken pipes. Inspect all the sources of water in the laundry room, basement or roof space because these are some of the areas that offer termites a good living environment. Termites do not care where the water is. Therefore ensure you check the entire home drainage system is working well.

3. Remove dead stumps, trees and branches near your house
Before termites invade your home, they will first make a colony outside the house. Termites enjoy living in dead stumps, trees and branches and can easily make a home for themselves there. If you remove anything around your home where they can survive, you will decrease the chances of them invading your house. Most Singaporeans store firewood near their houses. If you use firewood to cook or heat your house, store them at least 25 feet from your house. This is because a pile of firewood can become a prime target of the termites. Make sure you inspect the pile for any sign of termites or other pests and do not bring any firewood inside the house before inspecting them. If you can, circulate the pile so that some logs do not remain at the bottom for a long time. You should also remove dirt or vegetation that covers your house foundation. Termites can easily burrow through the soil to reach the house. If you have organic substance resting against your house, you are likely to face a termite infestation. Ensure you take drastic preventive measures such as mowing and edging. Keep in mind that it is easier to prevent than to treat.

4. Construct houses using termite resistant timber
Wood constructions are very popular in Singapore especially after introduction of different types of wood for building. It is therefore important to use termite resistant wood when constructing your house or different equipment at your house. This will help to keep off the termites. There are also different methods of treating wood used in Singapore to ensure it is not attacked by termites. When building a house foundation, most Singaporeans use termite resistant steel, concrete or granite as some of the ways of termite prevention in their homes.

5. Eliminate any contact between wood and the soil
Since Singapore experiences termite infestation in many parts of the country, people are always advised to ensure there is no contact between timber and soil when constructing their houses. This will ensure no termites get into your home because termites creates tunnel in soil, making it easier for them to access moisture. You can also raise decks and all wooden structures to make sure termites do not attack them. Also make sure your house is properly ventilated. Poor ventilation will generate a moist environment that is good for termites to survive.

6. Perform repairs and maintenance regularly
If you notice damaged or rotten structures of your house when inspecting, you need to take action immediately. If you ignore, this can lead to termite infestation. Make sure you clear the disintegrating parts and replace them. It is also important do some repairs in house like coating your home with new paint as a way of termite control. If you see cracks in your house foundation, you better seal it immediately. If you do not seal them you will not stop the termites from entering your house. You should also keep your house basement dry all the time. Make regular pest inspection a habit; this is the best way to prevent termite infestation in your house.

Remember it is always easier to prevent termite infestation than it is to eliminate them in your house. By using the above 6 ways to prevent termites infestation, you will avoid major damages and loses caused by termites and other pests. Always ensure you identify and eliminate them before they cause any damage in your home.