Metro Guard Preventing Termites

There is no absolute way to prevent termites from invading a structure during its existence. Pre-construction treatment is the best way to help prevent termites and is less expensive than treating an existing structure. Unfortunately this is not an option if your home or office is already built. Existing homes can be treated as a preventative measure, however, this is not something we recommend. If your home does not have termites Metro Guard recommends you take the following steps:

• Inspect your home frequently
• Remove wood debris from around home
• Repair any plumbing leaks
• Wood siding or sheds should not touch ground
• Grading around home should direct water away
• Eliminate standing water near home
• A/C condensation should drain away from home
• No firewood near home – keep off ground
• Pre-treat soil before home additions
• Keep soil line and landscape beds 3″ below foundation top
• Repair leaking outdoor faucets
• Keep plants & vines 6″-12″ from home
• Dryer should vent away from home
• Remove dead trees near home
• Sprinkler systems should not water against house

– New homes are susceptible to termites the same as existing homes.
– Items above will also help prevent hundreds of other insects from being attracted to your home.

Two of the keys from the above list are moisture and wood. Termites seek out moist soils looking for cellulose. In addition, you want to keep your visibility clear around the foundation so that you can spot termite mud tubes or other signs of problems.

Pre-Construction Termite Treatments are the best way to prevent termites from infesting your new home or any additions you add later. It is most effective because the soil under the planned foundation (in DFW it is typically a slab foundation) is treated with termiticide just before the home or addition is built. Because the foundation is not yet poured, the applicator can be certain that the proper amount of termiticide is being applied to all the soil under and around the planned foundation area. existing infestation.

The result is a continuous treated area under the entire foundation or addition. After the construction is finished and the final grade is completed, the applicator should return to treat around the structure (all treatments must comply with the label on the particular product used). Because there is less labor involved with a Pre-Construction treatment, most companies will charge you significantly less than you would pay for a Post Construction treatment. In addition, you may decide to use a less expensive termiticide since you can be confident that you will have complete coverage of the treated area and you are not trying to fight an existing infestation.

Termites are very common in home additions because of the seam between the new and old foundations. Pre-treating any first floor addition is highly recommended because it is effective and it is typically very low in cost.

One of the difficulties of Pre-Construction treatments is that the timing must be coordinated with the builder. Many times the builder is not exactly sure when he will pour the slab so you will need a Pest Control company that can work with schedule changes.

If you are building a new home have the builder agree to remove wood debris (and paper garbage) from around the home before they grade for landscaping and drainage. Many homes have wood debris buried around the house which is a conducive condition for termites. New homes are susceptible to termites the same as existing homes.

If you are planning to build a new home or adding on to your existing home, Metro Guard would be happy to discuss pre-construction termite treatments with you. Our technicians can answer any questions you may have.