Many benefits come with living here on the Turks & Caicos Islands. We have beautiful oceanic views, beaches in every direction in every direction, and an endless supply of termites. Okay, maybe not that last one, but we do have them in massive numbers. These small wood-destroying pests love chewing on properties, but what can you do to stop these invasive insects? To help you with this, here is a comprehensive prevention guide to use.
What You Need To Know About Termites
The most common species of termites here in Turks and Caicos and around the world are subterranean termites. These social insects live in colonies 18-20 feet beneath the ground. Why do termites build their nests so far beneath the earth?
For one, surface soil doesn’t hold moisture well, and one thing subterranean termites need more than anything is adequate moisture. By digging deeper, termites find a sweet spot where moisture levels are most comfortable.
Factors That Make Your Property Attractive To Termites
Once termites establish a colony, their next goal is to find a reliable source of wood to gather. Now, when we say reliable, we mean a piece or structure of wood that has been softened by water damage, rot, or decay. If your property’s wood has been negatively affected in these ways, expect termites to want a taste.
Although softened structural wood is a big attractant for termites, it is not the only thing that draws these pests onto properties. Once a year, fully mature termite colonies produce swarmers. Colonies instruct these flying reproductive termites to leave their nest and find a new location to build a home, and more often than not, swarmers travel no further than a mile or two away from their original nest.
As swarmers travel, they scout areas for harvestable wood-based structures, items, and debris to sustain their new colony during this time. This includes sticks, leaf piles, wet cardboard, rotting stumps, fallen trees, and other wood-based materials. The fewer of these things your property has, the less attractive it will be to termites.
How To Prevent Termites
If you want to prevent termite infestations around your property, your first goal should be to make it less attractive and accessible. Here are some practical ways our experts recommend you do this:
Thoroughly inspect your home or business’s exterior for holes, gaps, and cracks. Seal up these potential entry points using a caulking gun or some liquid cement.
Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between exterior soil and the structural wood of your property.
Remove stumps, fallen trees, brush, leaf piles, sticks, and other organic clutter from your property.
Store firewood and untreated lumber at least 30 feet from the exterior of your home or business.
Inspect your gutters. Make sure they are clear of debris, damage-free, and properly channeling water away from your property.
Hire a plumber to inspect your home’s piping and fixtures to make sure nothing is leaking.
Invest in a high-quality dehumidifier to keep moisture levels down indoors.
Repair or replace structural wood that is water damaged, rotting, or in decay.
Retreat wood that has lost its exterior finish and protective coat.
Invest in professional termite control.
There is nothing more important to us than the protection of your Turks & Caicos property. At Parkway Pest Solutions, we offer advanced plans to thoroughly protect your property from invasive and destructive pests like termites.
Contact our team today to discuss your options and to find a termite protection plan that best suits your needs.