Defending Against the Enemy of Homeowners Everywhere

All the hard work and money you put into your home can be futile if you're not defending against the most devastating enemy of homeowners everywhere: termites.

Unfortunately, you may not realize that termites have targeted your home until the damage is already catastrophic. Most homeowner’s insurance policies don't cover termite treatment or repairs to termite damage. Here are some tips to help you prevent termites from making your home the star of your very own horror film.

1. Know your enemy. While over 2,000 species of termites are known, the three types that might be around your home are drywood, dampwood, and subterranean termites. Dampwood and subterranean termites live throughout North America, while drywood termites are common only in the hottest climates. Subterranean termites, which burrow in the ground, are responsible for most of the termite damage to homes in North America. Drywood and dampwood termites live in wood. 

2. Look for wings. When temperatures jump in spring, termites depart from their nests to begin new colonies. While swarms can be seen as early as March, they may also occur in summer and fall. Subterranean termites swarm from early spring through late summer. Many swarmers shed their wings after landing, forming large piles in and around homes. Piles of discarded wings, on windowsills or on the ground, are sure signs of termite trouble.

3. Look for mud tubes. Also called “shelter tubes,” these tiny tunnels serve as protective passages between termites' colonies and the wood they eat. Tubes are typically the color of the soil through which the termites crawl.

4. Look for entry points. Termites will enter a home through a crack as minuscule as 1/32 of an inch. Seal cracks and crevices around your foundation, vents, window joints, and eaves. Avoid any earth-to-wood contact near your home. Store firewood (and any other cellulose substance) away from the house’s foundation.

5. Trim shrubs and landscaping. Shelter and moisture make your home attractive to termites, so eliminate or reduce their sources. Don't overwater your plants, and trim back shrubs and other plants at least six inches from siding to allow for an air flow. Direct rain water to flow away away from your home's foundation. 

6. Regular inspections. Termites and the damage they cause are hard to spot since termites eat a structure from the inside out. It's imperative to schedule an annual inspection by a licensed professional. Examine your exterior -- especially patios, decks, and fences -- for termite activity or damage. Clean gutters and downspouts to remove debris that can be used as termite shelter.

Vigilance against termites will help keep your family healthy and your home in good condition.

---

William True, Sarasota Real Estate & Exclusive Buyers Broker
ABR, ABRM, AHWD, BPOR, BS, CIPS, CLHMS, CNHS, CRB, CRS, e-PRO, GREEN, GRI, RCC, RSPS, SFR, SRES, TRC
Licensed Sarasota Real Estate Broker, Sarasota Notary Public

TRUE SARASOTA REAL ESTATE

Exclusive Buyers Agents - Sarasota, FL
7061 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231
1723 Colleen Street, Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 918-1956 | william@truesarasota.com