Termites are every homeowner’s worst nightmare. The ever-hungry creatures will eat your sidings in no time. Over time, there have been numerous ways in which homeowners can use to prevent a full-blown termite infestation. But before you stop the termites from attacking your sidings, you need to know what attracts termites to your home.
What are the termite magnets?
Moisture surfaces
Termites will come to any siding where there is plenty of moisture. This is mainly because such places are highly likely to have nutrients. Any surface with moisture, be it a wall or soil, will attract termites.
Cellulose materials
Termites feed on cellulose materials such as lumber, newspapers, and firewood. If any of this is found close to your house, be sure to expect termites.
Crawl spaces
Dark and warm places act as magnets for termites. Those undisturbed places, like close to the foundation, will be too enticing for the termites.
Damp mulch
When you are mulching your garden, you may be saving one thing and destroying another. Since mulch is often damp, it attracts termites and before you know it, the mulch is eating your siding.
Dead tree trunks
Remember that tree you fell and forgot about it? Well, the dead trunk may be a haven for termites. Since the trunk is rich in nutrients, the termites will come in numbers.
Bad drainage
How good is your home drainage system? Is it able to direct water accordingly? If there are drainage issues in your house, you better fix them early, or else termites will come in numbers. Remember, termites do well on wet surfaces.
How to stop termites from attacking your siding
Keep the siding dry
Any dump surface is bad for you and your house. Since a moist surface will have nutrients, it’s a magnet to termites. Ensure that everything is dry and without any leakages.
Get rid of dry tree trunks
When you get rid of any tree in your compound, ensure that you remove every bit of it. The trunk and firewood will attract termites.
Create a buffer area around your house
Clear the area surrounding your house. Get rid of plants or leaves that may reside there. If you choose to have flowers, ensure they are well taken care of.
Rise your sidings
Since most of the area around the soil will be damp, which is conducive for termites, it’s wise to raise your sidings. A raised siding will starve the termites by disrupting the supply chain.
Use repellent materials
Rather than playing defensive and starving the termites, it’s wise to go on the offense and use repellents. Since most materials, especially those made of wood like masonite are eaten by termites, it’s safe to use no wood materials. One of the most effective repellents is borate, which repels the termites leaving your siding standing strong.
Upgrade your drainage system
Drainage is the one area that will keep your house free from lots of attacks. A poor drainage system ensures that the soil around your house is ever wet which offers termites direct access to nutrients. To prevent this, ensure that water flows freely and the soil is ever dry around your house.
Unblock your gutters and drainage pipes
When sidings are ever wet due to the over-pouring gutters, termites will have a lot of reasons to attack your gutters. Keep your gutters clear of leaves and debris as well as investing in splash blocks and downspouts. This will greatly reduce the chances of wet surfaces and prevent termite infestations.
Paint your sidings
By painting, you’re giving your sidings an additional protective coat. The paint will bar the sidings from soaking in moisture which deprives the termites of valuable nutrients. Painting can be costly but has proved to be effective in preventing a termite infestation.
What smells are effective against termites
Rather than wait until you see signs of termites on your sidings, you can take preventative measures that will ensure your sidings remain termite-free. One effective method to use against termites is to smell. Using either pesticides or natural oils, you can deal with termites effectively.
Some of the most common types of oils to use include;
- Clove bud
- Garlic oils
- Tea tree oil
- Orange oil
- Cinnamon
- Cedarwood
You can either use the oils directly or in pesticides. The main methods include spraying on termites directly or applying the oils on the wood. Either way, having these oils will increase your chances of eliminating the termites. Should the problem persist, increase the concentration of the pesticides or consult the professionals.
Applying pesticides should be your last result as most of the pesticides will affect the environment as well. The pesticides and oils are neurotoxic to insects which can have fatal effects on the ecosystem.
When applying the oils or pesticides, it’s advisable to use protective gear such as gloves and gumboots to avoid the chemicals from coming into contact with your skin. If you’re not handy, it’s better to call in the experts who are better suited to tackle the termites’ problem.