How To Save Your Valuable Furniture From Termites

Prevention of Termites

Are you frustrated with your house being eaten away by termites?  If yes, then read further and get to know some interesting facts about these wood eating insects. Termites are nothing but wood destroying insects which will eat away your home and building. Usually termites are considered as white ants. But the truth is termites are nearer to the cockroach family.

Termites’ mainly feed on Wood.  Their food also includes wood products, grass, tree barks and any material containing cellulose. Termites need protein and carbohydrates in their food, and this is obviously provided by the decayed wood. Termites love to live in complete darkness and it is not easy to find termites and you may see them after most of the damages are done.

Termites are the biggest disaster for wood based buildings. Even People who do not live in wooden houses also face termites’ problem. Guess how. Since Termites are fond of Wood, they eat away the furniture at home. So, wherever we are, in whichever country we live, termite infestation is possible.

So how to prevent this termite infestation

• Keep your home under check.  Though we check our home for infestations, only a professional can give assurance. Every home and building needs a professional check for the infestations at least once in a year.
• Termites cannot live without moisture. Like other creatures, they depend on water for survival. So do not leave any sort of moisture in your building. The broken pipes and other moist areas provide them a perfect environment to grow.
• Ensure that the attic and other isolated areas are clean and dry without moisture. And good ventilation does not favor the termites easily.
• No more holes or cracks in the building. This provides them an easy way to enter the building and eat away your place. So, repair all the cracks and gaps in the building.
• Soil and wood are highly important for the termites for migrating into a building. Reduce the contact between soil and wood. No more old wooden logs in your garden and attic.
• Have some space between your garden and home. Thick bushes close to your house are easy targets for these creatures.

Signs of termites in your home

• When you tap the wood, if it sounds hollow, there is a possibility that the termites would have eaten away the wood from inside. The reason is usually termites prefer darker places which are not easily seen by us.
• Mud tubes on the wall and other surface, which is clearly seen by human. The purpose of these mud tubes is protection and also to maintain the temperature suitable for them.
• If a building is infested by termites, audible noise is can be heard particularly in the night time.  This is caused by the termites giving signal to the other termites in the colony
• Small big mounts can be found in many places like stairs, walls, windows and doors.