Termites have the ability to cause a tremendous amount of damage to a home and they do. These little pests cause over $4 billion dollars worth of damage to homes in the US every year.  The worst thing about them is that they do this and most of the time you don't even know its happening until a good amount of damage has already been done.  Termites can eat away at your structure for years before you even see any signs of it.

The best defense is to prevent them from coming around in the first place.  Below are some tips to do just that.

1. Keep mulch, firewood and wood chips away from the home.

2. Make sure all plants and shrubs do not touch the home and that all vents are clear.

3. Keep all moisture out.  Make sure all rain is draining away from the structure.

4. Make sure all crawlspaces are well ventilated

5. Keep all old wood well away from the home. 

6. Fill all gaps and cracks around the exterior of your home.  Make it hard for them to enter.