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Termites,
carpenter
ants, powder
post beetles
and
carpenter
bees are
wood
destroying
insects that
can do
massive
damage to a
home and
greatly
impact its
value.
One of the
most
invasive of
these
insects is
the
subterranean
termite
In humid
areas where
termites are
more of a
problem,
it’s not
unusual to
find a home
that has
been
virtually
hollowed
out, their
wood siding
turning to
dust at a
touch.
There
are many
steps you
can take
towards
preventing
infestation
if you know
what
termites are
looking for.
Termites are
ground
insects that
look for
habitats
that provide
food,
moisture and
shelter
close to the
ground. Any
moist place
where wood
meets
ground.
Correcting
this
situation
may require
re-grading
to separate
soil from
any wood.
Since mulch
and many
other
landscaping
materials
cause the
soil to
remain
moist, you
should make
sure to
minimize
mulching
around your
foundation.
Some experts
recommend
mulching no
closer than
a foot from
your home’s
foundation.
You should
also stack
your
firewood
away from
your home.
You should
also make
sure to
eliminate
any moisture
problems in
and around
your home,
especially
in basements
and
crawlspaces.
It
takes an
expert to
detect
termite
damage. Home
inspections
do not
include a
termite
inspection
so it is
highly
recommended
that you get
a termite
inspection
in addition
to your
general home
inspection.
Aggressive
inspectors
are licensed
in New
Jersey to
perform
these
inspections.
Area of Distribution: The Eastern subterranean termite is the most
common and widely distributed
termite in the USA, commonly found
from southern Ontario, in all
eastern states of the USA including
Texas.
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