A termite infestation can cost you around $7000…
And that’s not including any extra you may have to shell out for repairing the cosmetic damage they cause.
For most Australian homeowners termite damage is not covered by home insurance.
So it’s important you know how to protect your home and prevent those pesky termites from setting up shop in your woodwork.
It’s a lot easier and much cheaper than you think to protect your home from termites.
Here are some great termite prevention hacks that won’t cost you a cent…
Maintain wood inside
The easiest way to prevent termites getting into your home is to look after your property.
Always fix damaged door frames or windows.
Termites are more attracted to homes that have damaged wood and aren’t cared for so look after your woodwork.
Make sure all woodwork is properly treated and maintained. Repair any damages quickly and remove any rotten or old wood when needed.
Even just keeping wood clean is a deterrent to termites. Termites don’t like being disturbed by sprays or polishes!
Cleaning up your property doesn’t cost money it just takes time.
Taking a couple of hours to fix up minor problems on your property is definitely cheaper than paying professionals to fix it up after a termite infestation…
Avoid wood outside
Termites are always attracted to wood and leaving wood in your garden is a guaranteed way to wake up nearby termites.
Don’t leave piles of firewood or old timber in your garden and take down any old wooden structures like sheds or outbuildings if you’re not using them,
Avoid using too much wood in your garden’s design. Timber decks, pagodas, trellises and fencing are all very attractive to termites.
If you have to use wood make sure it’s not clustered too close to the structure of your home and remember to look after it.
Also remember to look after your trees, remove any dead branches and clean up any wood that falls on the floor.
It’s especially important to do this after a storm when a lot of branches and twigs will have been dislodged.
You might not want to tidy your garden in the colder months but it’s definitely worth it!
Use the power of plants
Marigolds are said to discourage termites from coming onto your property.
Certain plants can act as termite repellents, we have a great article about termite repellent plants here.
Consider placing termite repellent plants at key areas of your property. Any flowerbeds close to your home could benefit from the introduction of termite repellent flowers such as marigolds.
Don’t forget to avoid using wood mulch near your homes foundations as termites love to much their way through wood mulch.
Keep a keen eye out
We always say prevention is cheaper than a cure!
Being aware of the key signs of termites can save you a fortune in pest control. Catching a termite problem early is the easiest way to prevent a full blown infestation.
The key areas to look out for signs of termites infestations are outside walls or in garages that lead into your home. Sweep around regularly with a broom and check there are no termite mud tunnels visible.
Clear out cardboard
Cardboard clutter is a magnet for all kinds of pests!
It’s not just wood that attracts termites!
They’re also partial to a piece of cardboard….
So if your shed or garage is packed full of cardboard boxes it’s time to upgrade your storage.
Using plastic storage boxes will not only keep your stuff in better condition it will also remove the temptation for termites to come into your home.
You can also use this as an excuse to get rid of stuff you no longer need. You may even make some money by selling on unwanted items you’ve cleared out during your home pest control session…
Overall there is no budget pest control that can beat a yearly termite treatment.
However there are plenty of ways to protect your home without spending a fortune.
The key to successful home pest control is to look after your home and always be prepared for an emergency.
So you have any termite prevention hacks? Let us know in the comments below…
