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2 Tips For Keeping Termites From Infesting Your Home's Attic

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When you live in an area that is prone to termite infestation, your house could become a target of these damaging insects. One area that termites could gravitate towards is your attic. To keep these wood-chomping insects away from your attic, use the following tips for taking preventative action against termites.

Check for Leaks

The first thing you should do when making sure your attic does not attract termites is to check for leaks. If your roof, walls, or areas around your windows are leaking, the water that enters makes your attic a desirable living space for the termites in two ways.

Like all living things, termites need water to survive. And, since their diet is made up of the cellulose from wood, they need extra water to process it. When you have a lot of moisture in your attic, the water can draw them towards your house.

Water leaks also soften the wooden beams and floors of your attic, making them eventually rot. Because rotten wood is easier for the termites to burrow into, it creates an ideal environment for the insects.

 To check for leaks, go into your attic while it is raining, and take note of any that you see. When the weather dries up, use a caulking gun to seal any cracks or holes that you noticed during your inspection.

When selecting your caulk, use one that has a silicone base. Not only is it waterproof, but it is pliable enough not to crack because of constant expansion and contraction caused by extreme temperature changes.

Get Rid of Your Cardboard Storage Boxes

Another thing you should do to make your attic less attractive to termites is to get rid of your cardboard boxes. Since the boxes are made from processed wood pulp, these termite magnets provide a ready-to-eat, easily digestible meal for the insects.

Instead of cardboard boxes, store your items in plastic storage totes. Not only will these totes be unattractive to the termites, the plastic can better protect your possessions from dust and moisture.

Even if you take preventative measure to keep termites out of your attic, you may still find evidence of an infestation, such as tiny holes in the wood or sawdust below wooden beams. If so, contact a service that specializes in termite control so they can inspect your attic and the rest of your house and discuss with you what they can do to get rid of the destructive insects.

Talk with a company like Ace Walco & Sons Termite & Pest Control for more information about preventing and managing termite infestations.


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