Termites could definitely star in a remake of the film titled The Enemy Within  and the bad news is that it could be filmed entirely on location in your home. These silent destroyers are not welcome under any circumstances and you should do everything that you can to prevent Termites feasting on your home.

About Termites

These creatures are to be admired for their tenacity but feared by homeowners as a result of the determined qualities that make them such a bad pest to have in your house. Termites are very focused on their work and they live in large colonies. When you consider that one of their main characteristics is to eat continuously, it does not take long for a typical colony to cause some serious damage. They are more than capable of completely consuming more than two linear feet of 2×4 Pine in less than a year, which is the average size of a supporting beam in a typical house.

Ideal Conditions

If you were a termite, these would be your ideal conditions: soil, wood and water. As these are all elements that we find in our homes then you can quickly see that every homeowner is at some sort of risk to being attacked by termites, especially if you provide them with ideal conditions.

• Soil

Termites are generally subterranean, so they like to build their colonies under the ground. They thrive in soil and like to build tunnel systems to travel between their source of food and their colony.

• Water

Termites are no different to most other living creatures in that they need a supply of water to survive, so a leaky faucet or any source of moisture will help them survive.

•  Wood

Termites are partial to any material that contains cellulose and wood contains plenty of the stuff, so any wood, especially when lying on the ground, will prove very attractive to them.

Take Preventative Action

If you follow the advice of a professional company such as PestExterminator.com you can take some preventative action yourself to eliminate the risk of termites entering your home. It is also highly recommended that you get a company to carry out an annual inspection, which could save you a lot of money in the long run by stamping out any problems early on.

To Do List

• Identify any sources of water leaks in your home inside and out, this not only protects your house from potential water damage but it removes a vital element for termite survival.
• Make sure that you remove any brush or heavy growth that is near to your home, as these piles will attract moisture and also attract termites.
• Completely eliminate and standing or pooling water that you spot around your home.
• Always use treated wood for any wooden structures that have direct contact with the ground. Concrete supports are a great way of solving this particular problem.
• Keep all gutters clear of any debris.
• Your home should always be properly ventilated which includes your attic space, as this prevents any build-up of moisture.
• Get an annual inspection done by a trained professional, it will be money well spent compared to the cost of repairing subsequent damage caused if termites are left untreated.
• Make regular maintenance checks of your property and always be alert to the potential conditions that would encourage termites to start feasting on your home.

Riley Foster enjoys sharing his extensive pest control experiences and stories through blogging. His articles mainly appear on homeowner blogs.