The Best Way To Handle Termite Problems On Your Jacksonville Property

How do you expect to spend your retirement? Do you intend to get an RV and see the country? Do you have plans to buy a boat and spend a lot more time at the lake? Are you thinking of relaxing at home and enjoying family time? There are many ways you can spend your senior years. Often these plans include the sale of a home. Your home is an investment that can put money into your pocket at a time when you're no longer working to make ends meet. Some people sell their homes back to the bank and continue to live in them with extra cash to do what they want, like buying that RV we mentioned. We don't know how you're going to spend your retirement, but we know one thing, the last thing you want to be doing is paying for termite damage. The termites in Jacksonville can do a significant amount of damage to your home. If you don't handle termites properly now, you could find yourself with a lot of problems at the time of your life when you're looking to retire. Here is the best way to handle termite problems.

No Time Like The Present

Don't wait to do something about termites. Now is the time to take action. Termites slowly nibble on your home, sometimes for years, weakening the structure and creating extensive damage that cannot be seen. You should never wait until you start to see termite problems. Termites are sneaky insects, especially subterranean termites. Your home can have millions of subterranean termites in it without you knowing it.

Things You Can Do

Termites select your property. If you alter conditions that can attract termites, you may be able to prevent damage.

• Address any areas of your home where there is wood-to-soil contact. This gives subterranean termites a direct route into your home.

• If you have any rotting wood on your home, consider having it replaced as soon as possible.

  Refrain from burying wood in your yard.

• Raise wood items off the ground, such as construction materials or palettes.

• Replace wooden landscaping borders with stone or some other termite-resistant material.

• Reduce moisture around the perimeter of your home. Subterranean termites prefer moist soil, and dampness creates the condition for wood rot.

• Use a caulking gun to seal windows and door frames. These can be a target for drywood termites.

• Keep a lookout for the warning signs that termites may give you, such as swarmers, shelter tubes, and wood damage in dark, damp locations.

Things You Shouldn't Do

If you discover signs that you have a termite infestation in your home, we don't recommend using natural methods to get rid of them. Many websites prescribe methods that don't work. Some methods can actually attract more termites to your yard. An example is putting cardboard on the ground in your yard can help you get rid of termites. The idea is that the termites get into the cardboard, and then you burn it or remove it from your yard. While you can kill some termites this way, this method does nothing to eliminate the colony threatening your property. And, while termites are feeding on that cardboard, they can also be feeding on your home at the same time.

Some homeowners try to kill termites with sprays. This is about as effective as using cardboard. Sprays are topical. They don't get deep into the wood or soil where termites live. You should never try to defend your home with orange oil, vinegar, or some other spray.

Invest In Professional Termite Control

When you discover signs of termite activity, it is best to have a certified termite control professional exterminate the termites. Professionals are trained to ensure the success of termite treatments. But we recommend seeking the assistance of a certified professional long before you see signs. Proactive termite control will protect your property from termite damage and keep you from having to pay for costly damage that is difficult to fix.

Do you live in Jacksonville? If so, contact Lindsey Pest Services to speak with one of our agents about The Sentricon® System with Always Active™. We trust The Sentricon® System to protect Jacksonville properties. We'd love to tell you why.