Can anything be done to prevent termites?
QUESTION 10: Can anything be done to prevent termites? Termites are only a problem if they gain access to wood, particularly those wooden members that make up our homes and surrounding decks and fences. Scrape wood, fire wood, or cardboard laying under homes in subareas or near foundations walls can be a source of subterranean termite attack. All cellulose materials in soil-contact need to be removed. Subterranean and dampwood termites also like water. An additional preventative tactic includes the fixing or removal of sources of water. Leaking pipes, leaky irrigation systems, and over-watered planter boxes may be sources of attraction to termites. Sand barriers, metal barriers, and wood chemically treated have varying levels of success in preventing termite attack. For drywood termites, yearly walkabouts of your home looking for piles of pellets is a good preventive practice (remember area between walls and inaccessible locations will be difficult or impossible to visually inspect). I
