If you are a homeowner, you will likely have to deal with termite damage at some point in the future. Here are some facts about termites’ impact on homes in the United States and strategies you can use to prevent termite damage in your home.
Firstly, termites are a fairly common and expensive problem in the United States. Damage from termites and similar pests cost about $30 billion annually to man-made structures and crops. As far as home owners, it’s been reported that termite damage has been found in approximately 600,000 homes each year. Additionally, homeowners spend about $5 billion every year to control termites and fix termite damage. Luckily, there are many reputable pest control companies who offer services to help prevent and repair termite damage at an affordable price. According to HomeAdviser, the average amount a homeowner can expect to spend in hiring a pest control company is between $109 and $284, depending on what the problem is. However, if extensive termite damage is found, the cost will be about $3,000 to repair. It’s recommended that homeowners earmark some of their emergency savings to hire an exterminator if the need arises.
Secondly, here are some tips to prevent termite damage in your home. Most of it involves ways to take care of your yard. Keep piles of wood, rotted stumps, and other debris away from your home — termites eat wood, and carpenter ants will tunnel into wood to nest. If you keep firewood in your backyard, keep it at least 20 feet away from your home and five inches off of the ground. Make sure there’s at least six inches between soil and structural wood in order to prevent decay. Decay will also attract carpenter ants. Keeping that six inches of distance will make it harder for termites to find their next meal.
If you need more information or would like a professional to check for potential termite damage, feel free to contact your local pest control service. They will be more than happy to inspect your home, offer solutions and strategies, and be your partner in helping you to prevent termite damage on your property.