One of the last things that you want to happen as a homeowner is a termite infestation. Termites are notorious for the amount of damage that they can cause to a building, so understanding what attracts termites is important. Let’s take a look at some of the things that might be attracting termites to your home.

Main draws for termites

Termites are wood consuming insects that live in colonies. There are three main termite species in the US that cause damage to a building: subterranean termites, drywood termites, and dampwood termites. Subterranean termites will go for any type of wood, but they prefer wood that is higher in moisture content, while drywood termites will go for wood that is low in moisture content only, and dampwood termites will only go for wood that is high in moisture. Once dampwood termites are established in a piece of wood however, they can expand to wood that is drier.

This means that there are a few targets outside the home for these termites. One is the outdoor wood pile. If a wood pile is directly on the ground, then it is a main draw for termites. To make sure that your wood pile doesn’t lead to a home infestation, you will need to move the pile as far away from the home as possible, and to place it on a platform so that it does not come into contact with the ground.

Tree stumps can also cause issues. Stumps are composed of dead wood, which can easily become moist and soft, and it is also connected to the ground. The best thing to do is to remove any tree stumps that are on your property, especially those that are close to a building.

In the home, infestations are commonly started because of roof or basement issues. Wooden parts of the roof may become moist from clogged gutters or other drainage issues, and they may be attacked by drywood termites if they are low in moisture content. Since we don’t see the roof regularly or check on the attic too much, an infestation can be free to spread in this part of the home. When it comes to the lower part of the home, you can have issues with crawl spaces, unfinished basements, and cellars, because these areas are notorious for holding moisture.

If you suspect that you have any issues with termites, the best way to deal with them is by calling over a pro. Contact us today for termite control services.