Rated the biggest culprits when destruction of structural framing is concerned, termites can bring down even colossal constructions in no time. Thus, it pays to know the signs of termite infestation and then, the preliminary measures of termite control. Allowing a professional inspection thereafter every couple of years shall then keep things spic-n-span.

Before you embark upon the learning the ways to eradicate termites, you must keep arranged a few of the things. Firstly, remove any light bulb giving out white light. White lights attract insects while yellow/pale-amber doesn’t. These are the safest as outdoor fixtures. Learn about termite behavior, their eating habits and nesting procedures; all these shall also make you knowledgeable on the signs of their presence.

A few of the basic facts are:

• Summer is the time when dry-wood termites invade human territories.



• Structural wood damages, at the ground level (meeting point of the foundation and the walls, below the exterior doors) are indicators of a termite attack. Thump with a stick to be sure.



• Hollowed-out wood also denotes the same.



• Minute droppings (tan/reddish-brown/black) also indicate a termite infestation.

If all the above symptoms match, it’s time to call for the professional termite control agencies. But you must do the preliminary work yourself, to save you both money and to get an optimum service. It shall help the termite control agency to utilize their time more on the application of the remedies rather than confirming an infestation. This especially holds true if the size of affected area is a comparatively large one.

As for the initial steps:

• Fix water leakages/drippings.



• Fix and correct gutter problems.



• Eliminate even the smallest trace of water/moisture from near the foundation and in the basement.



• Remove, if possible, every wooden item, directly in contact with the soil; else, stop them from touching the ground.



• Apply insect screening wherever possible.
  
  
• Caulk the exteriors and fill every crack between the walls and the foundation.

That way, you shall be destroying completely their hideouts. Now, it is the job of the termite control professionals to kill them and eliminating any chance of future termite attacks. And thereafter, all you shall need to do is run a periodic check upon the signs of termite infestation, lest they show up again.