No one likes to have termites in their house. Termites can significantly damage your home and can be hard to eliminate once inside. But the warm and humid weather in Four Corners makes it an attractive place for termites.  This makes it essential to understand how these little pests can get inside. This allows you to develop customized solutions to control their population. Here’s how termites get into your home:

Cracks in the Foundation

Termites can enter your home through tiny cracks in the foundation of your home. These cracks can be almost invisible to the eye, but they are like open doors to subterranean termites. These pests follow the gap they find in your home and start searching for wood to feed on. A small crack can lead to a serious infestation when left unchecked. That is why regular home inspections and sealing up gaps are important. Even Four Corners pest control professionals include this step in their solutions.

Gaps Around Pipes and Wires

Any spot where plumbing or electrical lines enter your home can become a termite entry point. Builders usually seal around these areas, but seals can wear down or break over time. Termites can find these small openings and use them to get inside walls or floors.

These entry points are more common in homes with crawl spaces or older construction. Keeping an eye on these spots and resealing them when needed can go a long way in preventing termite trouble.

Wood-to-Ground Contact

Termites can get into your home through wooden porch steps, decks, and fence posts. Wood that touches the ground gives termites a straight shot from the soil into your house. Subterranean termites live underground and move upward to find food. They will follow the wood that leads straight into your home without hesitation. Keeping wood structures raised above ground level and using concrete supports can also help with termite control. 

Mud Tubes Along Walls

Subterranean termites build small mud tubes to protect themselves as they move from the ground into your home. These tubes are about the width of a pencil and are usually found on foundation walls, concrete, or brick.

The presence of these little tubes means termites are on the move. These pests use these tubes to stay moist and hidden while heading straight for the wooden parts of your house. Termites will only rebuild these tubes when broken.  You will need proper treatment to stop the colony.

Through the Roof or Attic

Drywood termites do not need to live in the soil. Instead, they can fly in and settle right into your roof, attic, or wooden beams. The swarming season in Four Corners happens during the warmer months, so the flying termites look for new places to call home.

They chew their way inside and start laying eggs once they land on exposed wood. Over time, their numbers grow, and the damage spreads before you even notice it. Checking your attic and roof regularly for signs of damage or droppings can help catch these invaders early.

Stacks of Firewood or Mulch

Those piles of firewood sitting next to your home might be attracting termites. Firewood and mulch can be a buffet for these pests. You can stay safe by keeping firewood stacked at least 20 feet away from your house and elevating it off the ground. Try to use mulch sparingly, especially right next to your home’s foundation. Too much mulch creates moisture and shelter, which termites love.

Leaky Pipes and Moisture

Termites are drawn to damp environments. A leaky pipe, clogged gutter, or poor drainage system can create moist areas that attract termites and help them survive longer once they get inside. So, check for leaks regularly and clean your gutters to avoid creating the ideal environment for termites. Also, make sure water flows away from your foundation to keep your home dry and less appealing to these unwanted guests.