Many home owners are surprised to learn that termite infestation is often not covered in the home insurance. Unfortunately, they usually only find this out once their home is infested. So it is in your best interest to make sure that you are fully prepared and have a termite prevention plan in place if you are in an at risk area.

There are two reasons for this. Firstly, once termites take hold, it can be difficult and costly to exterminate them. Secondly, termites can do a great deal of damage to a home before you even notice they are there. Termites will attack wood from the inside - they do not leave tell-tale sawdust or holes in the wood like other insects do. By the time you discover a termite infestation, there is already a serious problem.

There are some preventative measures that can be taken. One such measure is termite soil termiticide. These work by creating a chemical barrier in the soil which termites cannot cross. Termites require cellulose gained from wood or plant matter in order to survive. Without access to such food, the entire colony will die. There are also more slow acting termiticides available. These do not kill the termite quickly. Rather, they infect one termite who returns it to the nest and spreads it to the entire colony.

One early form of prevention is to create a physical barrier between the wood in your home and any termites there may be in your yard. Subterranean termites, the most prevalent termites in the US, live in underground nests and will attack the wood in your home from underground. By covering these areas in a fine wire mesh, the termites will be prevented from entering. There are even meshes available which contain termiticide - making them a double barrier. The downside with this method of prevention is that it is only cost effective to do when building a property.

termite controlTermite prevention is one of the best investments you can make in the safety of your home if your home is in an area with termites. In order to get the best results from termite prevention, it is essential to hire a pest control termite expert to undertake a termite inspection. They will be able to identify the areas in your home that are particularly at risk from termite infestation (such as sills, steps and porches). They will be able to advise you on the best method of preventing attacks by termites and will have the correct tools and chemicals required for the job. They will ensure that the work is carried out safely and efficiently to give you peace of mind that your home is safe. Getting a termite inspection will give you a very good idea of the dangers your home may be facing.

Best of all, most companies offer free termite home inspections.