Share:

In a warm, humid climate like Hawaii's, termite treatment is crucial to preventing expensive property damage. It is also important to understand what attracts termites to a home, so you can take steps to keep them at bay. Below, the Big Island’s Hilo Termite & Pest Control explains what termites find enticing and what you can do to minimize the risk of an infestation.  

What Attracts Termites

1. Woodpiles

Cellulose is an insoluble substance found in the cell walls of plants and wood fibers. Termites will bore through wood to feed on it. To prevent an infestation, keep piles of newspaper, cardboard, firewood, and lumber—particularly soft or rotting wood—away from your home and its foundation. A colony might easily spread from a woodpile in search of a new food source and discover the wooden support structure of your home.

2. Moist Soil

Termites are drawn to moist soil, so keep the earth around your home's foundation as dry as possible to discourage termite activity and avoid expensive termite treatment. Repair any leaking pipes or faucets. Make sure gutters and downspouts direct moisture away from the house, and avoid irrigating the area immediately around your home. Consider installing sand, gravel, or another material that provides exceptional drainage around your home's foundation.

3. Mulch

Termite treatment Wood chips and other types of high cellulose garden mulch provide a haven for termites and should not be used near your home’s foundation. Alternatives like rubber mulch—recycled rubber—or marble chips provide the same benefit without attracting termites.

If you suspect you have termites, contact Hilo Termite & Pest Control, the premier exterminator in Hilo, HI. They've been in business for more than 40 years, so they have the skills and experience to offer a thorough inspection and fast, effective termite treatment. Visit their website to send them a message, or call (808) 935-8301 to speak with a professional.

tracking