TERMITES CAUSE MAJOR HEADACHES FOR HOMEOWNERS

What to do when damaging insect pests make their unwelcome presence known

Now that summer is here, are you prepared against unwanted house guests?

I’m not talking about the inlaws ... I mean unwanted pests such as mice, rats, and insects that can sneak in while you’re unaware and cause lasting damage to your home.

I recently received a note from a homeowner in Vaughan, Ont., just north of Toronto who has spent more than $5,000 dealing with a termite infestation — only to have the problem persist. He’s at his wit’s end, and doesn’t know what to do.

ARE YOU IN A TERMITE ZONE?

Termites aren’t just a warmclimate problem. While certain areas are more prone to termites than others, you can still find them digging around in our Canadian soil.

They’re especially thriving in the warmer urban sectors across our country, which is why you might hear about termite infestations in Toronto or Vancouver.

When you’re buying a home, termites should be another item on your list that you’re thinking about when considering a potential neighbourhood.

If you do your research ahead of time, you’ll be able to avoid buying your ‘dream’ home that turns out to be a major nightmare.

WHEN TO CALL A PEST CONTROL EXPERT

It can be tough to be on the lookout for a colony of termites, because often the most prevalent sign that you have them in your home is when you find signs of damage.

If you notice cavities in your wooden structures, filled with what looks like sawdust residue, that could be a sign you’ve got termites. (By the way, that’s actually their excrement.)

If the wood has holes, but looks clean, it may be the sign of something else, perhaps water damage or carpenter ants (they use wood as a place to nest, not a source for food).

Other signs can include hollowsounding wood, or even cracked or bubbling paint on exterior walls.

Because termites need moisture when they burrow under the surface, they’re adding the necessary moisture that could cause your paint to bubble. While it could be an unrelated moisture issue, when paired with other termite signals, you will want to call a pest control expert.

Termites have wings — but once they’ve found a nest, they’ll discard them.

If you find a lot of discarded wings around the home, you know they may have found a good place to nest, and that’s bad news for you.

If you suspect termites, it’s time to bring in a pest control expert, because they know what to look for and how to find it. They’ll also inspect your structures for any other termite-related damage.

FIGHTING BACK AGAINST TERMITES

Termites need wood, moisture and shelter to survive, but you can take steps to keep them from thriving around your home.

If you’re having a deck, or other outdoor structures made of wood built, use a pressure-treated lumber that’s coated with a chemical that repels termites. Wood should never touch the earth, unless it’s been pressure-treated. Not only that, choose products that are resistant to moisture and rot and make sure you’re giving it the necessary maintenance. It will keep your structure standing strong for a lot longer, as well as keep the pests away.

Termites love moisture, so if your air-conditioning unit is leaking, you need to get that fixed. Your gutters can also be a source for moisture if they’re not properly cleared. If your eavestroughs clog often, consider installing a screen over top to keep water moving clearly through your system.

I don’t like to see gardens directly against a foundation because it can alter the grading so that water flows toward your foundation instead of away from the property. Garden mulch is attractive to termite s because it provides the moist protection they need to survive.

If you ask me, having a garden filled with mulch directly against your foundation is just begging for trouble.

If you’re like me, you love a roaring fire, especially on a cold night. But if you’ve got a woodburning fireplace in your home, don’t keep the wood piled up directly against your foundation.

If you find termites, bring in a pro to evacuate your unwanted house guests.

They’ll know what steps to take to get rid of them, and how to keep them from sneaking back in.