It’s every homeowner’s nightmare: being told that your house is infested with termites.
It’s a valid concern. Termites cause an average of $30 billion in damages to crops and structures annually, and on average, a homeowner will spend $3,000 to repair the damage cause by these insects. The good news is that termites are slow eaters. Plus, it takes a colony about five years to cause any significant damage.
About termites
Termites are small, ant-like insects that live in colonies similar to bees. They thrive on organic matter, such as wood, newspaper and fabric and prefer moist areas. Termite colonies leave tell-tale signs like shelter tubes and lace-like damage to wood. Sighting flying white wasp-like insects near your home’s foundation is another clue. Termites affect most areas of the United States, including the Pacific Northwest.
Ways to prevent termites
The best way to avoid problems with termites is to make your house unattractive to them. A few ways to do this include:
- Keeping wood, mulch and other organic matter away from the foundation of your home
- Never storing firewood against the foundation of your home or in a crawl space
- Removing any dead trees or stumps near your foundation
- Diverting rain water away from your foundation
- Repairing leaking faucets, pipes and air conditioning units promptly
- Making sure any crawl spaces are well ventilated
Checking for termites
If you suspect that your home may have been invaded by termites or if you need help taking measures to prevent termites, Kaufman’s Home Maintenance can help. Kaufman’s delivers handyman services and scheduled home maintenance programs quarterly, with a convenient low monthly fee. Homeowners subscribe to a service plan that fits their needs for regular household maintenance chores like changing furnace filters, cleaning dryer ducts, cleaning furnace ducts, window washing, carpet cleaning, painting, roof maintenance…and checking for termites. Call 503-798-4357 or visit KaufmanHelp.com to schedule an appointment.