Sometimes doing a few simple things can prevent a really bad day. Look both ways before crossing the street – even when the traffic light says you can cross. Read a contract or have a solicitor look at it before signing your name. Inspect a property – thoroughly – that you’re investing in before making an offer. Every simple act could get you out of a dicey situation. When it comes to property investment, no other situation could put you in a world of trouble than structural damage from pest infestation discovered only after you’ve already paid for the property.
For many home owners, the white ant is perhaps the most notorious pest to have around the home. These little devils, also known as termites, can do grave damage to properties. To prevent your property investment from becoming burdensome, keep termites away by doing these simple, little things.
Keep timber or any stack of wood away from your home. Timber is gourmet food for termites so when you take their favoured meal off the menu, you’ll have a better chance of discouraging these pests from getting comfortable in your home. Throw away any wood, building refuse, logs, and garden decorations made of timber. A few termite species may also enjoy grubbing on damp, rotting wood inside trees, dead grass, and leaf litter.
Keep every room in your home dry and ventilated. This is especially critical for basements, bathrooms, and other spaces that are susceptible to moisture. Termites can’t get enough of water. Once they hear those dripping pipes and leaky faucets, they’ll come rushing and start holding what humans might call a “rave.” So fix all your pipes and faucets. Make sure your basements aren’t dank and your bathrooms have proper ventilation.
Prevent entry to your home by installing physical barriers, which are made from materials white ants can’t chew such as metal and rocks. You can get them at hardware stores and building suppliers. Ideally, these ought to be installed during construction but you can still retro-fit them to your existing structure. You could get a professional to install them or ask knowledgeable salesmen at the hardware store which barriers are best for DIY installation.
Finally, do a regular and thorough inspection on your own by reading helpful sources like online termite control solutions or through professionals to ensure that termites haven’t infiltrated your property. This is done once a year in cooler locations and twice a year in warmer areas. Inspect every corner of your home. Check the edges of your house. Look for signs of termite activity.
