As a homeowner, few thoughts are more unnerving than a termite infestation. Termites feast on wood—you know, the underlying structure of your home. Termite colonies are expansive, and the damage they do is pervasive. If they’re allowed to wreak havoc on your home, not only do you have to think about termite treatment, but you’ve also got to worry about making structural repairs to your home.

Despite the danger these insects pose, many homeowners unwittingly attract termites. Read on to learn about ways in which you may be accidentally inviting termites over for dinner.

Keeping Wood Near Your Home

Whether you’re stacking firewood or storing wood for your next DIY home project, you want to keep it close for easy access. Unfortunately, when wood is stacked against or near the house, it’s only a short trip for termites from that wood pile appetizer to the buffet that is your home. What’s more, that wood pile provides the kind of dark, sheltered environment termites love to live in. The guiding wisdom here is to keep wood at least 20 feet from the house or any other structures.

Letting Water Collect Inside and Outside

A good rule of thumb is to prevent water from pooling or collecting anywhere in or around your home. That’s because all sorts of bugs, including termites, love to make their homes near water sources. Outside your home, check for leaking pipes, faucets, or air conditioning units. Also make sure downspouts from the gutters run away from the house so water doesn’t collect around the foundation.

Inside, you want to be just as vigilant about finding and fixing leaks. And you also want to make sure you’re not letting humidity build up. If heat and humidity are a common concern, you may want to look into a dehumidifying system, and double check ventilation throughout your home. Otherwise, moisture can build up in the walls, making a damp, secluded haven for termites and other insects.

Neglecting Your Gutters

We’re always talking about the same things when it comes to termites: You don’t want to provide food, water, or shelter. Clogged gutters are full of leaves and debris. This gunk holds moisture long after it rains, and provides a dark, damp, alluring place for termites to nest.

Placing Mulch Too Close to the Home

Much like stacked wood, mulch also makes a major meal for termites. It may do a great job of beautifying your landscaping, but if it’s too close to the foundations of your home or wood porch, mulch can serve as a welcome mat for termites. Be sure to avoid spreading it too close, and be on the lookout for signs of termite activity where you do have mulch.

Treating Only Part of the Problem

Termite colonies can take years to mature, and often contain thousands of wood-hungry termites. One of the biggest ways homeowners let termite infestations get out of hand is by treating what they can see and thinking they’ve solved the problem. Without professional assistance, it’s nearly impossible to identify the full extent of a termite infestation, and to root out that infestation.

If you see termites, you want to get help from a company you know is up to the task, a company like Action Pest Exterminating. Our termite control is about more than effective termite treatment; we offer the preventative services you need to keep termites out of your home in the first place. If you live in or around Charlotte, NC, give us a call today at (704) 269-4162 to learn more.