When pests invade your home, it may seem like they came out of nowhere. However, most pest infestations can be directly correlated to the natural habits of the pests. Termites are no exception. They seek wood, especially wood that has begun to break down. No matter how clean your home is on the inside, the outside matters. Here are some of the ways you may be attracting termites to your home:

Piles of Wood

With the cooler winter weather, you might be spending time outdoors around the firepit or inside huddled up by the fireplace. While these are great ways to stay warm and enjoy the season, how you store the wood matters. If it’s stored too close to your house, termites can easily find their way from the pile of wood to the inside of your home. On the ground, wood is at risk of getting wet, which makes it more attractive to termites. We recommend storing firewood away from the ground, ideally in a storage box that closes. 

Wood Mulch

Mulch makes maintaining your yard easier by keeping moisture sealed, which improves the health of soil. Unfortunately, sealing in moisture also causes dampness and rot in the wood, which attracts termites. A termite’s place in nature is to help wood decompose, and that’s exactly what they’ll do when they find damp mulch. In the wild, this helps make way for new vegetation. In your yard, this could cause an infestation.

Fences and Decks

Wooden fences and decks are great ways to create a backyard you can enjoy in peace. However, if the wood in these structures digs into or touches the ground, this can create termite problems. There are a couple strategies for keeping them off the ground, like adding metal framing or a concrete border at the bottom. Fences should sit at least three inches off the ground, and decks should be at least six inches or higher off the ground with no exposed, unstained wood. These methods won’t scare away termites forever, so if you have these features in your yard, be sure to get an annual termite inspection.

Dying Plants

Termites take their job in nature seriously. When they see decaying or rotting plants, they get right to assisting with the decomposition. To prevent an infestation, make sure to remove dying plants, especially trees, from your property. Along with the plants in your yard, the leaves and twigs that clog up your gutters also attract termites. As they build up, they can cause rot in your roof, which creates a perfect entry point for termites. If you maintain the plants in your yard and regularly clean out your gutters, you can go a long way in terms of preventing a termite infestation. 

With the termite swarming season on its way, you’ll want to do everything you can to prevent termite problems. If you do find signs of termites, our Des Moines termite control experts at Pro-Staff can help. Give us a call at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.