Owning a home can be very stressful because of all the things that can -- and will, if you aren't careful -- go wrong. You have to budget money responsibly, address any repairs, and have a preventive plan to limit any future dangers. That's a lot of responsibility.
One of those potential dangers to your home: termite damage.
Termite season is here and unless you take precautions, you could be dealing with a major pest control problem that will end up costing you a lot of money. Here are a few important things to know about termite damage:
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Damage Costs
Every year, termites cause an estimated $30 billion in damage to crops and structures, along with damaging more than 600,000 residential homes. These pests, although small, swarm together in large numbers and end up costing U.S. residents more than $5 billion every year to control termite breakouts and repair any existing damage.
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Home Prevention
Owning a home is stressful without spending thousand of dollars on repairs. If you discover damage from termites in your home, you'll spend about $3,000 on average on repair costs, so it's extremely important that you do everything possible to prevent these damages from happening. Being aware of your property can make all the difference when battling termites. These bugs hide out in back yards, inside piles of wood and debris, and if those piles are located close to your home, they will be able to easily transition from the wood on your lawn to the wood in your home. Keep all wood at least 20 feet away from your property and at least five inches off the ground.
Another home prevention method for keeping out termites is proper structural maintenance. If parts of your home are decaying, it will be much easier for termites to enter your home and start causing further damage. Try to maintain at least six inches of clearance between your house and the outside soil to prevent the wood from decaying.
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Professional Help
The best thing you can do to both prevent future termite damage and repair any existing damage is contact professional exterminators. They know how to handle all kinds of pests and will lay out bug guard to ensure no termites and other bugs are creeping on your property, waiting to attack.
Don't wait until it's too late. Get the termite protection you need today!