Stop Attracting Termites: Simple Ways You Can Make to Your Lawn, Garden & Home's Exterior

According to the National Pest Management Association, termites do an average of about $5 billion worth of damage each year. If you've ever had termites ravage your property, or if these common pests afflicted your friends or neighbors, you know how financially devastating it can be to repair all that damage.

However, what you might not know is that you might unintentionally be attracting termites to your home. Don't let termites make a meal out of your home and belongings and instead, here are a few simple changes to your home's exterior, lawn and garden that will make your properly more unattractive:

Care for Your Trees and Stumps

Termites are attracted to wood, so it would make sense to start with the trees, stumps and firewood on your property. When it comes to your trees, the best way to make your property less attractive, and prevent termites from entering your home, is to trim your trees. Trimming your trees helps cut down on the shade in your yard. When your yard is shady, water doesn't evaporate as quickly. This excess moisture is very attractive to termites.

Additionally, trimming any tree branches that are touching your home will make it more difficult for termites to enter your house.

Getting rid of those unsightly stumps is another great way to make your property more unattractive. Dead and decaying stumps will make a quick meal for the termites who will eventually make their way into your home.

Finally, if you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, pay attention to where you stack your firewood. Even though it's less convenient, North Carolina State University recommends stacking your firewood at least 10 to 20 feet away from any structures on your property. Additionally, make sure that the wood is stacked off the ground, as well.

Address Your Mulch Problem 

Many homeowners utilize mulch because it is inexpensive, attractive and prevents weeds from popping up around their home's exterior. Unfortunately, wood mulch also attracts termites. You may be surprised to learn that the termites won't necessarily dine on the mulch. Instead, the moisture that the mulch naturally soaks up will attract termites to your property, and eventually your home.

If you don't want to stop utilizing mulch because of its many benefits, there are several ways you can still enjoy its beauty without suffering from a swarm of termites. To begin, leave a gap of several inches between your home and the mulch. Regularly examine your mulch for the presence of termites, and if you see any, don't hesitate to contact a professional right away.

If you have an ongoing issue with termites in your mulch, consider other landscaping products that termites won't find as attractive, such as decorative pebbles or stones.

Clean Your Gutters

Finally, one of the simplest ways to make your property far less attractive to termites is a task that you probably try to avoid every spring: cleaning out your gutters. When your gutters are filled with leaves and other debris, they won't do their job, which is to draw moisture away from your home. All that excess moisture in your yard is very tantalizing to termites, which will put your property in danger.

In addition to regularly cleaning out your gutters, make sure to eliminate any other sources of standing water, such as a small depression in your front yard or an empty flower pot on your back stairs.

With a few small changes, it is possible to make your property less attractive to termites. If you have any other questions about how to prevent termites from making a meal out of your home, don't hesitate to contact a termite control company.