Termite Prevention, Louisville, KY

Spring is in the air, and with it comes beautiful weather, family vacations, color flowers, and the opening of many local ice cream stands and other fun places. But spring brings one thing that we don’t need any more of in Louisville, Kentucky: Termites!

Why Termites in Spring?

In the pest control industry, spring is often referred to as swarm season. This is due, in large part, to the subsequent increase in temperature and humidity, which is felt more and more here in Louisville. Like many animals, bugs also tend to hibernate or shut down their colonies for the winter. Spring signals their time to once again begin reproducing and building their colonies. The heat and moisture make the ground easier to work with for the colonies. Unfortunately, when the ground is easier to use, this often means that your home and its resources are also easy to use.

The Transition from Soil to House Frames

Termites live in colonies of up to two million underground. The colony must have contact with soil to survive, but like most similar insects, termites survive on cellulose, a compound easily found in trees, wood, and other wood based products (cardboard, sawdust, etc.). Worker termites will build passageways of mud between their underground colony and the wood they are using as their food source, which is hopefully not your home. They can build through cracks and holes in concrete and other such barriers, but there are some ways to termite-proof your home this swarm season, before calling in a pest control company.

- Take measures to ensure that your home’s foundation and crawlspaces remain properly vented and as dry as possible. Remember, moisture makes their work easier!

- Do NOT keep scrap wood or sawdust stored on the ground anywhere near your home. Though it may be dry, saw dust has already taken care of half of the termite’s job!

- Keep a buffer zone: Leave several inches between the soil and any wooden part of your home or building, and ensure that the supports are solid, and preferably nonporous material such as metal or hardened plastics

- Keep your area clean and neat. Less mess around your home means less opportunity to forget those pieces of scrap wood, or that missing fire log

Sometimes, even the best prevention methods won’t hold back a colony of termites under determination. If you notice any termites, any wood damage in or around your home, or suspect that the integrity of your foundation has been compromised, it is time to call the professionals. Termites are known to be some of the hardest pests to exterminate, but a trained professional will be more than prepared to handle any situation that may arise. There are several reputable pest control companies in the Louisville area.