Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Before you begin your annual spring cleaning, pay mind to one home problem that can’t simply be dusted away: Termites.

"Pest proofing and home improvement projects are often designated to the
spring season. Now is the perfect time of year to remind homeowners to
take the necessary steps to protect their greatest investment from costly
damage," says Scott Fortson, President of Terminix Service, Inc.

Termites feed 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the cellulose found in
wood and paper products. They can silently chew through structures
undetected and cause more than $5 billion in property damage every year,
an expense that isn't typically covered under homeowners'
insurance policies.

Follow these tips to guard against these pests:

• Carefully inspect the perimeter of the home for mud tubes and
• rotting wood.
• Divert water away from the home through properly functioning
• downspouts and gutters.
• Repair fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles.
• Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
• Maintain a one-inch gap between soil and wood portions of the home.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and check it for
• pests before bringing it indoors.

"Because termites aren't often detected until it's too late, we advise consumers to arrange for termite protection from a qualified pest professional."

Source: www.TrustTerminix.com.

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