Question By: Understanding how termites get in your house – and why they want to come inside – is crucial to preventing an infestation. After your termite inspection, your pest control expert should explain any signs of activity and potential entry points. He or she also should provide prevention and control tips specific to your home's construction type, termite species active in the area, and structural and moisture conditions conducive to infestations.
Subterranean Termite Entry Points
Subterranean termite colonies live underground. They typically enter homes at ground level or below, but they can build mud tubes to enter spots several feet above ground level.
One of the most common ways termites get in your home is through wood-to-ground contact, including doorframes, deck posts, and porch steps or supports. Subterranean termites also enter homes through cracks in the foundation and cracks in brick mortar. Sometimes, they even use the holes in concrete blocks to travel through foundation walls.
Subterranean termite prevention focuses on addressing trouble spots, such as water that pools around the foundation, and monitoring for signs of activity. Your pest control expert also may recommend monitoring stations, liquid soil treatments or direct wood treatment.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites get their name from the fact they live in dry, sound wood and require no connection with soil since the moisture they need comes from the wood they infest. Entry
Therefore, these termites do not build mud tubes, unlike subterranean termites. Drywood termites get into houses when drywood termite swarmers fly directly to the wood they infest.
Some of their usual routes of entry include:
• Attic or foundation vents that are not screened.
• Cracks around window frames, door frames, soffits and roof sheathing.
• Infested furniture and other wooden items brought into the house.
How to help prevent a termite infestation
While houses do not attract termites actively, when termites find them they are quick to come in. You'll need to take measures to help keep an infestation from happening in your home.
A more permanent solution to preventing termites involves the use of pesticides, which should be handled by a licensed pest control professional. If you suspect a termite invasion or are looking for ways to prevent one, schedule an inspection with a Flick professional today.
For more information, visit https://www.flick.com.au/blog/how-do-termites-enter-my-home/
Answer By: