If you are a New Jersey property owner, there are several destructive property-invading pests that you could face. Of all these pests, however, perhaps the most destructive is the termite. Termites feed on cellulose that is found in wood. As such, when they get into properties, they can cause all sorts of expensive damage to structural wood, flooring, and even wooden furniture. Given the destructive nature of termites, people are keen to get rid of them at the first sign of an infestation. In doing so, many people resort to DIY termite treatments. Unfortunately, these DIY solutions are often unproven or ineffective which means they don’t take care of the problem; at least not in its entirety. And when it comes to termites, anything less than completely effective means more damage to your property. As such, it is important to know the effective termite prevention and treatment solutions that you can count on to take care of termite problems completely so that you know your New Jersey property is safe.
Termite Basics
Termites are ant-like insects that are usually pale yellow, brown, or black in color. They build nests in the soil or within the wood that they are eating, depending on the species. Termite colonies are made up of three castes—workers, soldiers, and reproductives. When termites get into a home or business, there’s no telling how much damage they will cause. Although they prefer rotting or moisture-damaged wood, they will eat just about any wood with which they come into contact. This includes structural wood, flooring, siding, baseboards, and antiques. In the United States, termites are responsible for nearly five billion dollars worth of damage each year.
Pitfalls Of DIY Termite Treatments
When faced with termite infestations, many homeowners think they can save money by taking care of the problem on their own. They will turn to DIY solutions such as orange oil, vinegar, or OTC sprays. Unfortunately, these “solutions” don’t address entire infestations. Sure, they might kill several termites here or there, but they don’t account for the hundreds, if not thousands, of termites that haven’t come into contact with the product. Unfortunately, this leaves you and your property exposed to the termites that are still alive. Ultimately, it can end up costing you more money in repairs than you would have spent on professional termite treatment, to begin with.
Tried & True Termite Prevention Techniques
While DIY termite treatments aren’t all that effective, there are measures you can take to help prevent termite infestations before they occur. These include:
- Removing any factors that attract them to properties and sealing off potential entry points.
- Repair or replace any water-damaged or decaying wood in your home.
- Use dehumidifiers to address moisture buildup in the poorly ventilated areas of your home.
- Make sure all pipes, fixtures, and drains are working correctly and not collecting water or leaking.
- Keep gutters free of debris to prevent flooding.
- Seal cracks in your home’s foundation with caulk.
- Limit wood-to-soil contact around your home by creating gravel or cement barriers between the soil and wooden objects such as deck posts.
- Keep woodpiles away from your home’s exterior.
- Remove any fallen trees, stumps, or other rotting wood from your property.
Effective Termite Control For Your New Jersey Property
If you do have a termite infestation on your New Jersey property, don’t waste your time and money on DIY techniques that won’t work. Instead, contact the professionals here at Heritage Pest Control for assistance. When it comes to termites, anything less than 100% effective just isn’t good enough. So, don’t put your property at risk. Give us a call today to get effective termite control.