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If you are building a home or adding to your existing home, take the time to choose materials that are resistant to termite invasion. Redwoods, juniper and cedar for instance are highly attractive woods with wonderful aromas. The natural oils in these woods makes them less susceptible to incursion by termites and other insects. Also strive to keep things as dry as possible. Make sure that you don't allow water to accumulate in or around your home, and that if you have a basement area, that it is kept dry. It is far better to prevent termites from setting up camp in the first place. The truth is that there are plenty of ways you can keep your housing termite free. Take a proactive stance when it comes to termites, and take care of a small problem before it becomes a big one! The signs you are looking for will occur in places that termites love, including subterranean locations and areas that have a lot of dry wood. Look for piles of termite dirt in wooden ceilings, and make sure that you keep track of any mud tunnels that show that the little pests are digging around. The first thing that you need to do is to stay vigilant. Most experts recommend that you check your home for termites every year. While this might seem to be fairly often, remember that it doesn't take all that long for termites to get in, make themselves at home and to do some damage. When looking to ensure that your home is not termite friendly, remember to consider your landscaping as well. Make sure to keep the plants in your garden back from your home as this will prevent moisture from having time to do its worst. This will also help keep mold from flourishing. Similarly, make sure that your sprinklers don't spray directly onto your house and that any piles of wood or debris are kept away from your walls. Any areas of wood outside your home should be sealed against the weather and pay special attention to the bottom of your walls. Homes with a concrete slab, where the exposed slab edge forms part of the physical termite barrier system, ensure the slab edge remains exposed as part of the inspection zone also, ensure that the vegetation from around the perimeter of the building be removed so that it does not allow for concealed termite entry. If your home is brick, at the base of the perimeter you will notice gaps between the bricks, these are known as weep holes to allow ventilation to the cavity and the escape of moisture that may accumulate in it. Ensure the weep holes are kept clear of concrete, dirt, garden mulch or any obstruction that would allow termites to gain entry without being detected. Maintain a debris free inspection zone of 75 mm below your weep holes. If termite damage is found in the home, don't panic. Do not disturb the termites by using household sprays or removing infested wood. There is no immediate threat to the house, so take time to investigate the size and nature of the problem as well as all the available options. At certain times of the year homeowners may notice winged termites in and around their house. This is the termites' annual flight from the nest.This does not mean that there is a termite colony attacking the house. There may however be a nest nearby if there are large numbers of these termites. For more helpful tips, check out our main page here: pest control West Auckland
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