El Centro Property Owners' Ultimate Termite Prevention Guide

Let’s face it: no El Centro property owner likes the idea of pests living inside the walls of their property, eating and destroying the structural wood within it. Unfortunately, if you are dealing with termites, that’s exactly what might be happening. Termites are small pests that feed on the organic material that makes up wood. If the wood they eat happens to be the wood that makes up your property, you could be facing some expensive repair bills. It is important for you to know the steps you can take to help keep termites away from your El Centro property. You also need to know the effective termite control solutions that you can count on to get rid of termites should they infest your property. 

Termite Basics

Termites are small ant-like pests that are typically yellow, brown, or black in color. The two types of termites you are most likely to encounter in your El Centro home are subterranean termites and drywood termites. Subterranean termites, as their name might suggest, live in the soil, underground. Drywood termites, on the other hand, live within the wood that they are eating. 

Termite colonies consist of three separate castes which are workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Workers gather food for the colony, while soldiers protect it. Reproductives, which have wings, set out at certain times of year to create new colonies. This process is called a termite swarm. Because termites either remain in their nest or in the wood that they are eating, you are not likely to spot a termite in your home unless it is during a swarm. Many people don’t know they have a termite infestation until it is too late and the damage has been done. In fact, termites cause several billion dollars’ worths of damage each year in the United States alone. They can destroy structural wood, flooring, siding, baseboards, and even antiques.

What Attracts Termites To A Property?

Termites are usually attracted to a property for one of two reasons. First, there is an abundance of moisture-damaged or decaying wood. Second, there is easy access to the wood within the property. Termites prefer moisture-damaged wood because it is easier for them to consume than healthy wood. However, they will eat any wood at their disposal if given the opportunity. That’s why it is important to make your property less accessible to termites.  Any wood could be damaged or destroyed if they get inside.

Termite Prevention Techniques

Termite prevention comes down to two things: eliminating entry points and removing factors that attract them. In order to accomplish these, you need to do the following:

• Remove or replace any moisture-damaged or decaying wood in your property.

• Install dehumidifiers to address any humidity issues around your property.

• Create a gravel or cement barrier between the soil around your property and any wooden structures such as deck posts and siding.

• Fill in any cracks in the foundation of your home.

• Keep woodpiles away from your home’s exterior.

• Keep your yard clear of debris. 

The Best Method Of Termite Control

While you should always strive to protect your property from termites, the best method for termite prevention and control is with professional pest control from the good folks here at Imperial County Pest Control.  Here at Imperial County Pest Control, our trained pest technicians come fully equipped with the experience and the expertise required to effectively eliminate any termite infestation with which you are dealing. We will work with you to take the proper steps to better protect your property from future infestations. Don’t let termites destroy your property. Give us a call today.