Landscaping considerations to prevent termites eating your home

Landscaping considerations to prevent termites eating your home
March 17, 2017 Cure All Pest Control

There are many ways in which termites can enter and destroy your home, but also numerous methods of preventing them.

We’ve put together a list of proactive measures you can put in place in your landscaping practices to help keep termites away from your house.

When was your last termite inspection? Termites can fly or sneak into your home in many ways. Preventing termite damage is easy, simply call Cure All Pest Control, Brisbane termite control expert, on 07 3349 8572 for a consultation or quote.

Keep garden beds away from your home

Damp soil is very attractive to termites. It’s important to keep garden beds away from the exterior walls of your house to prevent termites finding entry points. Garden beds should be a minimum of 3-4 feet from your home.

Use pebbles instead of wood mulch

Wood mulch for termites is like mud for a pig; a massive playground! Consider using pebbles and gravel to ring your garden beds; it will still discourage weed growth without being a food source that entices termites.

Never cover weep holes

The weep holes present in the brick exterior of your home serve a purpose and are not just the work of a lazy or incompetent bricklayer. Bricks actually absorb a surprising amount of moisture, especially when it rains, and therefore need proper ventilation to dry out again. As mentioned previously, termites are attracted to moisture, so any means of mediating this must be utilised.

If you’re worried about rodents or pests finding their way into your home through these open weep holes, try installing weep inserts or brick vents into the existing holes.

Keep everything well ventilated

Don’t leave puddles of water lying around your backyard! Installing proper drainage systems will prevent moisture from pooling for extended periods of time. You can achieve this by:

  • Landscaping your soil to slope away from your house
  • Installing downspout extenders and splash blocks
  • Attending to leaking pipes, air conditioning units and faucets immediately
  • Ensuring that the area under suspended floors is open and dry

Continually update your termite management system

If you have a termite treatment zone around your home, this could be in the form of a concrete slab, crushed granite or stainless steel mesh. Being aware of these treatment zones while building any kind of extension onto your home, such as a carport, verandah, access ramps or even installing a water heater, is essential. This construction could break or damage the existing termite treatment zone, providing a bridge for termites into your home. Always update your termite management system to include any new construction to your house.

Choose trees and plants wisely

Thinking long term when choosing plants for your garden and around your home is important. When planting trees, take into consideration their maximum growth and how far their roots will spread. Tree roots can crack concrete slabs put in place to deter termites, and the canopy can cause a buildup of leaves in your roof gutters, causing damp mulch which will entice termites.

Find out why a yearly termite inspection is essential here. Have termites already found their way into your home? Contact Cure All Pest Control today; experienced professionals in termite extermination!