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Termites Attracted to Moisture Too!

Author: Gary Wojciechowicz
by Gary Wojciechowicz
Posted: Dec 16, 2015

We are well aware that the biggest destroyers in our homes – those dreaded termites – are attracted to anything containing cellulose. Wood products are their biggest source of food and they voraciously feed on doors, windows, floors, furniture and anything else that is in contact with the ground.

Homeowners are always advised to use treated lumber for construction and avoid leaving any firewood or other wooden scraps directly on the ground. However, not many people are aware that most kinds of termites also depend on moisture for their survival - except the drywood termites that are able to live off of the water that is produced from the digestion of the cellulose itself.

How it matters?

Like most living things, termites also need water to stay alive. In fact, they can manage for almost two weeks without food, but cannot survive more than a few days without water! Subterranean termites are the most common in USA and therefore it is quite possible that there is a constant source of water in or around your house that is aiding the termite infestation! It could be anything from leaky faucets to something as natural as precipitation!

Following are a few precautions that pest control providers in Charlotte NC suggest for keeping potential termite attacks at bay:

  • Foundations are usually built above the water table. But you have to still ensure that water never builds up around the foundation of the house. Even run-off from the garden can dampen the walls and beams of the foundation thus making it susceptible to termites.
  • Faulty plumbing proves to be the most common source of water for termites. Always repair all plumbing issues inside or outside the house at once.
  • Check for any kind of leakage – from leaky faucets and busted pipes to seepage around sinks, bathtubs, roof leaks and so on. Fix them to eliminate the termites’ water source.
  • Replace any damp or damaged wood immediately as it is most susceptible to termites. Keep checking for water-stained walls or beams.
  • Always make sure that water drains away from the house.
  • Eliminate any standing water from around the house. Keep gutters and waterlines clean of debris as they can clog or leak thus forming a pool of water.
  • Any brush or heavy growth around the house can also provide the much-needed moisture to termites. This is why landscaping is always kept a little away from the walls and basement of the house. Apart from vegetation, even using mulch close to the exterior of the house can attract termites due to the water content.
  • Attics and other internal crawl spaces can build up moisture over time. Keeping them properly ventilated is essential.

Supplement your precautionary efforts with an annual termite inspection by a reliable pest control company in Charlotte NC.

About the Author

The author is an experienced writer and guides you about pest control, pest termite control and termite protection procedure on domestic and commercial locations.

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Author: Gary Wojciechowicz

Gary Wojciechowicz

Member since: Jun 16, 2015
Published articles: 3

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